July 29, 2024
WICKER WOODSONG/UNSPLASH
Chicago donors open wallets for Harris campaign
Two decades after Millennium Park opened,
what’s Chicago’s next big idea? By John Pletz
M
ario Guallpa, a New York middle schooler, was so fascinated by “The Bean” that he made a replica of the sculpture for a class project. Then he begged his father to take him to see it in person. Last month, they flew from Long Island to Chicago and counted themselves among the 20 million people who likely will visit Millennium Park this year. Since it opened 20 years ago today, Millennium Park has been a tourism magnet, ranked among the 10 most visited sites See MILLENNIUM on Page 34
Millennium Park became a shining example of Chicago’s tradition of public-private partnership.
The vice president’s elevation to the top of the ticket could re-energize local fundraisers and potentially tap new donors By Justin Laurence
As Vice President Kamala Harris tightens her grip on the Democratic nomination for president, her campaign has announced record fundraising hauls that have calmed fears that uncertainty at the top of the ticket would give donors pause. Harris inherited the campaign apparatus of President Joe Biden, including his hefty political account. The former California senator has added over $100 million to that pool in the days since Biden exited the race, according to CBS News. A Democratic super PAC, Future Forward, brought in another $150 million, according to Politico. It’s too early to track how much of that poured in from Illinois. But Chicago’s donor class is signaling they’re likely to pump money into her campaign and affiliated Democratic super PACs, despite what one bundler described as potential “donor fatigue” among
those who have already ponied up for the Democratic National Convention host committee, charged with welcoming the party to the city Aug. 19.
Fundraisers in the works Harris’ ability to deliver a clear message supporting abortion access and her potential to be the first Black and South Asian woman occupying the Oval Office could also draw out the checkbooks of new donors, according to fundraisers with experience asking wealthy Chicagoans to empty their pockets. A donor who helped bundle contributions for Harris’ campaign for the 2020 nomination told Crain’s there is a “significant appetite to hold fundraisers,” but the logistics of hosting them are on pause as Harris fills out her campaign team and organizes a new strategy. The donor, who asked not to See HARRIS on Page 35
CRAIN’S
FIELDS FOR THEIR DREAMS The Bears, Sox and Red Stars want new stadiums. Could taxpayers get stuck footing the bills? I PAGE 11
The Chicago White Sox are looking for $1 billion in public funding for a new $2 billion baseball stadium in The 78. | RELATED MIDWEST
The Chicago Bears have pitched a $3.2 billion proposal for a new domed stadium on the lakefront. | MANICA ARCHITECTURE
VOL. 47, NO. 29 l COPYRIGHT 2024 CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC. l ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
GREG HINZ Springfield ponders whether to fix or just throw money at reeling transit system.
POLITICS Massive South Works quantum project now must get nearby residents on board.
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