DNC to hear pitch for Chicago convention Friday

WASHINGTON — Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot will pitch Democratic National Committee officials on Chicago’s bid to host the 2024 presidential convention on Friday in Washington, the Sun-Times has learned, with Pritzker then going on the road to stump for Democratic candidates in Maine and New Hampshire, the state with the first presidential primary.

A source familiar with the upcoming meeting to boost Chicago’s convention bid said Pritzker and Lightfoot intend to highlight Chicago’s strengths — from the large number of union hotel rooms, to multiple convention sites, to the Chicago host committee’s willingness to help raise the millions needed for the event.

The Sun-Times also has learned DNC chair Jamie Harrison hits Chicago on Thursday for a Democratic Party of Illinois fundraiser hosted with U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, who’s also the state party chair. Harrison also will meet with labor leaders, state central committee members, and county chair.

The fundraiser, according to an invitation obtained by the SunTimes, is at Taste, 222 N. Canal St. Chicago’s main competition for the convention is New York City, which is offering Madison Square Garden as the primary site. Chicago is proposing the United Center, McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena, among other venues.

Pritzker in N.H., Maine stumping for abortion rights

Over the weekend, Pritzker stumps for out-of-state Democrats with a New Hampshire stop sparking more speculation about a presidential bid at some point.

Pritzker — who faces no rival in the June 28 Democratic Illinois primary for governor — is taking his first swing this campaign cycle to other states.

With a leaked Supreme Court opinion seeming to indicate the court is poised to strip women of their current abortion rights, Pritzker, who is making his support for abortion rights a centerpiece of his bid for a second term, is focusing on electing Democratic governors.