Could Chicago Host The 2016 Republican National Convention? [UPDATE]

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 9, 2013 6:15PM

Photo credit: Christopher.F Photography

It's been a week of bold proclamations scoops for Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed. Sneed reported Friday night the Illinois Republican Party is encouraging Chicago to bid on the 2016 GOP National Convention. Even Mayor Rahm Emanuel, ever the opportunist, is considering the request.

The thought of Chicago, a city that hasn't elected a Republican mayor in 90 years, thanks to a Democratic machine that has informed the city as much as the skyline and lakefront, hosting a Republican convention is as unnatural as putting ketchup on a hot dog. But money talks—and even crosses party lines.

Sneed writes that Emanuel already has Choose Chicago, the city's tourism office, calculating the numbers for hosting the convention and its economic impact on the city.

The timing of this speculation is also fortuitous, as 2016 is the date when Emanuel's McCormick Place extension, including two new hotels; the 10,000 seat arena the city is building for DePaul University; and a Green Line stop at McCormick Place, will be ready for the increased tourism and convention business for which they're being built.

That, and Emanuel recognizes the city is fucking broke and needs the money.

“Rahm’s not a dummy,” said a top source. “It means jobs and an infusion of big bucks to a city running on fumes due to the pension crisis and bad management decisions in the past.

“The city will be hosting nearly 40,000 people from all over the country . . . as well as the world. It means international coverage and puts Chicago in the worldwide spotlight. It’s the city that hosted the NATO convention in 2012.”

Update 12:40 p.m.: The Illinois GOP says not so fast.