Here’s the latest news:

• In a huge surprise, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be nominated for president and vice president in Chicago this summer.
• NBC 5 Chicago reports on the three Black women leading preparations for the convention.
• State delegation hotel assignments have been announced.
  • But no state is assigned to the non-union Trump International Hotel and Tower! However, Fox News can stay there if they want.
  • All delegation hotels are withing 5 miles of the convention venues, one of the reasons Chicago will remain an attractive host city for future conventions (assuming no repeat of 1968).
  Security funding of $75 million for each convention was approved in the latest budget agreement, increased from $50 million where it had been for a number of cycles. And security preparations continue:

• Applications for a Summer Internship with the Chicago Host Committee are being accepted.
• Sign up to volunteer at the convention here.
• Here’s some surprising news: If you give a lot of money to the Democratic Convention, you’ll get a nice hotel room and great seats in the arena!
• The CNN-Political Grill is coming to Milwaukee and Chicago this summer.
• And Chicago security is preparing:

• Want to know the inner workings of convention press credentials? Check out this session from, yes, the State Department:

• Here’s the latest press release from the Chicago Host Committee
• Need a Vendor in Chicago?
• Need a Venue in Chicago?

• Chicago Public Schools are likely starting a week later to avoid conflicts with the convention
• Former LA Deputy Mayor Ben Austin remembers the 2000 LA Democratic Convention
• Politico interviewed Christy George, the executive director of the host committee for the Democratic National Convention. Two highlights:

On fundraising: “We’re doing quite well,” she said, without wanting to share how far along they are at raising the $80 million to $100 million needed to put on the event.

On organizing volunteers: George’s team is working to bring in 12,000 volunteers to help put on the four-day event. They’ll do everything from guiding visitors at the airport and train stations to directing them to their seats at the convention.

• The Host Committee is looking for Neighborhood Ambassadors from 77 Chicago communities.
• They are always looking for volunteers
• And finally, if you want to submit a bid to design the credentials, make sure to check this out:

Today is also the first media walkthrough of the United Center for the 2024 Democratic Convention. We’ll have details later.