Editor’s note: NBC Chicago offers a live feed of evening and prime-time newscasts every day, Monday through Thursday, on the NBC 5 Chicago News 24/7 streaming channel in the player above. and on NBC Chicago’s YouTube channel.
The 2024 Democratic National Convention begins its fourth and final day in Chicago on Thursday.
A week after the Democrats’ most prominent figures rallied the party faithful, Vice President Kamala Harris will accept her party’s nomination, in which she is widely expected to present her vision and policy agenda to the American people.
Harris’ highly-anticipated speech comes after Thursday night’s lineup of big-name speakers and performances, from music legend Stevie Wonder to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to actress Mindy Kaling.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walls accepted his party’s vice presidential nomination on Wednesday night, using his Democratic National Convention speech to thank a packed arena as he lifted his running mate.
“We’re all here tonight for one beautiful, simple reason: We love this country,” Walls said, as thousands of delegates held vertical signs reading “Coach Walls” in red, white and blue. Many Americans had never heard of Walls until Harris made him his running mate, and the speech was an opportunity to introduce himself. He leaned on his experiences as a football coach, recounting his time in the National Guard and his family’s fertility struggles — all parts of his biography that Republicans questioned in the days when Harris elected him.
In addition to Harris, pop star Pink is set to headline the final night of the convention. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Rev. Al Sharpton and former GOP Illinois Rep. Adam Kinsinger.
According to the conference organisers, the theme of the final night was “For Our Future”.
Two permitted protests are planned for Thursday, according to Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications. OEMC said the first from the Chicago Coalition Against Racism and Political Oppression will begin at 12 p.m. Around 5 pm, a march rally for the people’s agenda is expected, the OEMC added.
According to the OEMC, both groups are expected to march west from Union Park to Park 578.
The sanctioned protests come a day after dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters marched through Chicago. Overnight, more protesters gathered near Michigan Avenue and Ontario Street, police said. On Wednesday night, some noncommittal, pro-Palestinian delegates staged a sit-in outside the United Center, saying they were denied the opportunity to speak at the conference.
Who spoke at TNC yesterday?
In addition to big speeches from former President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Wednesday also saw speeches from Oprah Winfrey, U.S. Sen. Amy Globuchar and celebrity host Mindy Kaling of “The Office” fame.
As his hosting time came to a close, he took a moment to shout out his home state of Massachusetts and some notable people and places in the state.
“Everybody hates us all the time, but they don’t get it. Go socks. Go Jayson Tatum. Ben Affleck… hang in there. Dunkin’ Donuts is the best coffee in the world,” he said.
At three nights of TNC in Chicago, Mindy Kaling describes her deep friendship with Kamala Harris. Watch his full speech here
Harsh Goldberg-Bolin’s parents, John Bolin and Rachel Goldberg-Bolin, also had an emotional moment Wednesday as they paid tribute to their son, who is still being held by Hamas after the Oct. 7 attack in Israel.
Rachel Goldberg and John Palin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Pohl, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, said, “Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you.”
Here’s what to expect, how to watch, and more on day four of the conference.
Schedule, speakers for Day 4 of the DNC
Vice President Kamala Harris closed out the Democratic National Convention Thursday night when she accepted her party’s historic presidential nomination and took advantage of one of the few remaining opportunities to draw millions of viewers.
Harris will lay out his vision for the country and make his case against Republican Donald Trump, capping a whirlwind month that began when President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid and endorsed him to replace him on the Democratic ticket.
Harris has three goals for his speech, said a campaign official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss emotional speech preparations. The official said he would share his background of rising from a middle-class family to defend others as a lawyer, contrasting his “optimistic” vision with Trump’s “dark” agenda and invoking a sense of patriotism.
Others speaking before Harris on Thursday include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, civil rights leader Al Sharpton and American Federation of Teachers President Randy Weingarten. Singer Pink will also sing.
Doors open at the United Center on Wednesday at 4pm CT, with the main event beginning at 5:30pm CT. DNC website. Other scheduled events include delegate breakfasts, caucuses, meetings and more.
When will the DNC end?
The 2024 DNC in Chicago begins Monday, August 19. It continues until Thursday, August 22. Speeches are expected for four consecutive nights.
Where is the DNC?
The conference is held at two locations.
The primary venue for the convention, where speeches will be made and votes taken, will be at the United Center on the west side of the city. The building is home to the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks and also hosted the Democratic National Convention in 1996.
Caucus and Council meetings will be held throughout the week at McCormick Place, the city’s largest convention center. The building is located near Lake Michigan, south of Soldier Field and the city’s museum complex.
How and when to watch TNC live
All four floor sessions of the Democratic National Convention will be streamed live on NBC Chicago’s website and mobile app, in the player above, and on NBC Chicago’s YouTube channel.
Talks are also available on the NBC 5 Chicago News 24/7 streaming channel.
Viewers can also expect expanded coverage through Telemundo Chicago and the Telemundo Chicago app.
Streaming times for the rest of the day (all times Central Time):
Thursday: 5:30-10 p.m
Security and street closures
More than a dozen law enforcement agencies will help provide security throughout the convention, including the Chicago Police Department, FBI and Secret Service coordinating during the week.
Illinois Gov. JP Pritzker told NBC Chicago that about 150 members of the state’s National Guard will be in Chicago this week for the DNC, but insisted they are in a standby role.
Below is a full list of closures and where you can find them, according to the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications:
Downtown, Gold Coast Street is closed for the DNC
- N. Wabash from E, Chestnut to E Delaware Place Sunday August 18th through Wednesday August 21st
- Sunday, August 18 to Friday, August 23 E. Huron Street from N. Michigan to N. Rush
- E. Chicago from N. Michigan Avenue to N. Rush Street Sunday, August 18th through Friday, August 23rd
- E .Delaware Place from N. State to N. Rush on Tuesday, August 20th.
- N. Rush from E. Delaware Place to E. Walton on Tuesday, August 20.
- E Walton from N State to N Rush on Tuesday, August 20th.
- N State from E Delaware to E Walton on Tuesday, August 20th.
Prohibited Vehicular Traffic: Jackson Boulevard from South Damon Avenue to South Wood Street
It started on Thursday, August 15
- West Washington Boulevard from Damon Avenue to South Wood Street
- Damon Avenue from Jackson Boulevard to West Washington Boulevard
- West Warren Boulevard from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
- West Madison Street from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
- West Monroe Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
- West Adams Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
- South Honor Street from West Monroe Street to West Adams Street
- South Wood Street from West Washington Boulevard to West Jackson Boulevard
- South Sealy Avenue from West Madison Street to West Adams Street
It started on Saturday 17th August
- Indiana Avenue from 18th to E. 24th Place
- Michigan Avenue from 21st to 25th Street
- Cermak Road from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
- 23rd Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
- Prairie Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
- 24th Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
- Calumet Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
- 24th from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
- Cermak Road to MLK Drive. to 25th Street
- E 21st Street is closed from S. Michigan Avenue to S. Calumet Avenue.
- E 21st St is open from west of S Michigan Avenue to S Wabash Avenue and E 21st.
Additionally, no trucks or vehicles larger than passenger cars are allowed on I-55 between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and South State Street in either direction.
Can I get tickets to the DNC?
About 50,000 Democratic delegates, volunteers, supporters and others are expected to attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago each day. However, a large number of people are not allowed — including civilians.
“Only certified delegates, media and guests may attend the conference in person,” the conference’s website said. “We are creating a conference to reach all Americans and provide opportunities to participate.”
Earlier this year, volunteer applications opened for those interested in working or volunteering at the DNC. Applications are closed from Monday, August 19, the first day of the conference, the website said.
“Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Democratic National Convention.” The site said. “More than 30,000 people raised their hands for this historic event. Due to this overwhelming support, we are no longer accepting volunteer interest forms. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm.”
