The Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago. We’ll have live coverage inside the United Center and outside with protesters, as well as reaction and analysis to tonight’s speeches.

Thousands of protesters stretching for several blocks took to the streets on Monday, saying Democrats have no cause to celebrate when tens of thousands of Palestinians are being killed during Israel’s war in Gaza.

It’s been a bumpy ride for residents living near the United Center. Ald. Walter Burnett (27th Ward) shared that the neighborhood is no stranger to parking restrictions, especially during game days and events, but said the city’s planning for the DNC has had a lot of moving parts.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and close confidants began plotting to bring the Democratic National Convention to Chicago all the way back in 2021. Now that it is here, the governor is in the spotlight. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson, the father of three children, said Vice President Kamala Harris’ status as the first Black woman to be nominated by a major party for president was deeply personal for him and his 10-year-old daughter, Braedyn.

In the middle of his second term, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker hinted during a speech to party faithful Monday morning that he’s game to run again.

Biden boarded the helicopter after arriving on Air Force One in Chicago where he is speak Monday evening at the Democratic National Convention. It marked a crucial milestone in a two-decade-long process to replace the Vietnam-era helicopters that have been in use carrying presidents since the 1970s.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois were among the elected officials who attended the AAPI caucus meeting on the first day of the Democratic National Convention.

Headlining Monday’s lineup is President Joe Biden, who just weeks ago was the presumed nominee. First Lady Jill Biden and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also take to the stage. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Illinois) will represent the hometown crowd.

Organizers of the Chicago River Swim have taken the city’s suggestion and will hold the open-water swim event in Lake Michigan on Sept. 22, with the goal of proving themselves for a 2025 plunge in the river.

The Democratic National Committee is using Trump Tower to troll the former president during the Democratic National Convention now underway in Chicago.

“Our officers responded exactly the way that we trained them,” Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said. “To respect First Amendment activity.”

Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre that brought success to Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, has died. He was 88.

According to organizers each star will host one night of the four-day convention, in a role similar to an award show host, kicking off the broadcast with opening remarks and then reappearing onstage throughout the evening to help guide the audience through programming.

There were also a pair of police-involved shootings, one of them fatal, which are being investigated by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.