Chicago , Los Angeles , New Orleans , New York , and San Antonio were originally considered as possible host cities . On August 4 , 1994 , it was announced that Chicago had beaten out the other finalist , San Antonio , for the right to host the convention . This would mark the first time that Chicago hosted a major presidential year political convention since the violent 1968 Democratic National Convention , and the first time a political convention was held in the United Center , which had been built earlier that decade
1968 Democratic National Convention
1968 Democratic National Convention
1996 Democratic National Convention