The Democratic National Convention (DNC), held Aug. 19-22 at the United Center, offered educational opportunities for local residents and attendees from around the country to learn about the plans Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic nominees for president and vice president, have for the country. However, the event also posed significant disruptions and challenges to the city of Chicago, as well as students of local high schools such as Saint Ignatius College Prep.
The logistical challenges posed by the convention included increased security, heavy traffic, and several road closures according to a report from WTTW.
Saint Ignatius College Prep, located just two miles from the United Center, began its 2024-2025 school year on August 19, aligning with the start of the convention. Due to the DNC, the school implemented half-days from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the first week of school. This was done to avoid the logistical challenges imposed by the event.
“The convention was an important event for Chicago and the country as we heard the plan that Vice President Kamala Harris has created for the future if she is the next president of the United States,” said Nora Daley, a DNC attendee and parent of a Saint Ignatius student. Daley, the daughter of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and parent to junior Kevin Conroy, said the schedule change did not seem to faze her son.
“It was a special time in our history to host the DNC in Chicago. My children were able to attend the event, and it was a life-changing experience for them to witness Harris and Walz talk about their plans for the future,” Daley stated. She also expressed her hope that many students across Chicagoland were able to experience the event, either as volunteers or by watching via livestream or on television.
“Any disruption in the school schedule was well worth what the city gained by hosting the DNC,” Daley added.
While the start of the school year was rocky and inconvenient for Saint Ignatius students, there were no DNC-related issues reported. By Aug. 26, the school returned to its normal full-day schedule for students and faculty.
