THESE DONORS.

>>> TURNS OUT CHICAGO IS THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE 'S KIND OF TOWN.

IT HAS BEEN HERE BEFORE IN 1966 AND NOTORIOUSLY IN 1968.

HERE WITH ALL THE DETAILS IS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

TO RECOUNT THE CONVERSATION WE HAD ON THE PHONE?

>> BIDEN IS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, SO HE GOT THE GOVERNOR, SAYING WE ARE GOING TO BE IN CHICAGO FOR THE CONVENTION.

HE TOLD HIM, WE ARE GOING TO THROW A GREAT PARTY.

IT WILL BE A GREAT FIT.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF PLANNING THAT GOES INTO THIS, SO WHAT WENT IN?

>> WE HEARD THAT VARIOUS LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE SAID HEY, WE GOT TO DO THIS.

THIS IS A GREAT CITY.

IT IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE IN AUGUST.

YOU HEAR ABOUT THE POLITICS AND THE FANCY STUFF, BUT IT ACTUALLY MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

HOW MANY OF THOSE HOTEL ROOMS ARE FULL?

THEY ARE A TREMENDOUS PARTNER IN THIS.

THEY JUST ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET.

WE WENT TO WORK AND WE GOT IT DONE.

>> CHICAGO REALLY DOES KNOW HOW TO HOST A MAJOR EVENT.

I WAS A LITTLE BIT SKEPTICAL AT FIRST.

ILLINOIS IS NOT A SWING STATE.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE POINTS WE MADE TO BOTH THE DNC AND THE WHITE HOUSE WAS ABOUT BUILDING A BLUE WALL HERE IN THE MIDWEST.

THE GOVERNOR WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE STATES, AND WE PRESENTED A UNITED FRONT.

HERE, VALUES ARE IMPORTANT AND ARE MOST EFFECTIVE.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT SENATOR TAMMY DOUGLAS.

SHE IS THE CO-CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

SHE HAS BEEN WORKING FOR TWO YEARS.

>> WE ARE SURROUNDED BY THOSE WHO ARE UP FOR RE-ELECTION, SUCH AS IN WISCONSIN, INDIANA AND OHIO.

IT ALL CAME TOGETHER IN TERMS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY VALUES.

THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY WITHIN THE CITY TO HOLD THE CONVENTION OF THIS SCOPE.

>> IT IS THAT THE PUBLICANS MIGHT USE THE OCCASION TO TIE -- >> I WOULD HOPE THE REPUBLICANS WOULD NOT TRY TO ATTACK ILLINOIS UNDER J.B. PRITZKER.

LIKE EVERY CITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN CRIME.

BUT AS FAR AS OUR WHOLE CITY AND GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO CRIME, WE ELECT DEMOCRATS, WE BALANCE THE BUDGET, MAKE SURE PEOPLE MAKE A DECENT MINIMUM WAGE.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO LIVE SUCCESSFULLY AND HAPPILY.

>> SO WHAT HAPPENED IN THE RACE IS SORT OF A CENTER OF PROGRESSIVE POWER IN THE COUNTRY, MUNICIPAL OR OTHERWISE.

DOES A CONVENTION LIKE THIS PAY FOR ITSELF?

>> IT IS PAID FOR THROUGH DONORS AND DONATIONS.

THERE ARE NO TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

USUALLY IT WILL BRING IN ABOUT $150-$2 MILLION.

EVERY HOTEL IS BOOKED, EVERY RESTAURANT IS BOOKED.

EVERY VENUE.

SO IT IS JUST A GREAT ECONOMIC ENGINE.

>> IN 1996 I THINK IT WAS CONSIDERED A SUCCESS.

>> YOU WILL HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMING INTO THE CITY.

EVERY SMALL BUSINESS IN TOWN WILL HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE AROUND CELEBRATING CHICAGO.