The message to Democrats from angry Chicago business owners whose lives have been turned into a ‘nightmare’ by the convention

Chicago businesses already grappling with a crime wave are now facing a “nightmare” of DNC-related closures, protests and security checkpoints that are driving important clients to flee the city.

The four-day Democratic rally at the United Center is expected to draw more than 50,000 people to the city. And it has already brought heavily protected politicians like President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Barrack and Michelle Obama and many more to the Windy City.

Pro-Hamas protesters stormed the Israeli consulate in Chicago on Tuesday night, dressed in black riot gear, and then set fire to an American flag, marking the second straight day of chaos.

Since the start of the congress on Monday, many motorcades, security personnel, extensive fencing and much more have been seen in the area. Many entrepreneurs have had enough.

“It’s caused a stir because people can’t walk down the streets where all these little shops are,” Sarah, a small boutique manager and Chicago resident, told DailyMail.com. “It’s a nightmare.”

“They’ve closed off all the streets … so you can’t even walk back to this area. If you’re on one side of the street and you want to go back to (this) area, they ask for your ID.”

According to Sarah, the barricades are most visible in the heart of Chicago’s economic district, nicknamed the “Magnificent Mile” for all its beautiful luxury shops.

‘They’ve got big fences all over Michigan Avenue, so that’s a problem. And fences that are supposed to keep the illegal immigrants out!’

She was furious that the city was posing as a healthy city for the wave of new Democrats.

“The other thing they do for the DNC is they clean up the whole city for a week while these politicians come in and then it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“They can burn it down. They don’t care. It’s the truth, honestly. I mean, crime in this area, there’s a break-in every week, it’s a joke,” she said, exasperated by the issue.

“I don’t know, honestly, I don’t even know if they thought about businesses at all,” Sarah said of the city’s preparations. “I don’t think they thought about how it would affect businesses.”

Victor, manager of a luxury store next to the gated hotel where party leaders are staying, was less concerned about the DNC’s impact on retail.

Fences surrounded several hotels in downtown Chicago during the DNC

The raised security fences ran for blocks, cutting off many businesses from pedestrian traffic

“None of the barricades really hinder us,” he said.

But the expected protests, the crowds and the democratic fever were enough to drive his upscale clientele away and into more exclusive, relaxing places, he said.

“When something like this happens in the city, our regular customers just leave and then come straight back,” he told DailyMail.com.

“We’ve had Palestinian protests for a while now. I mean, they’re even going so far as to stop traffic in the middle of the highway.”

And crime, compared to the rest of Chicago, is pretty normal. He says his hometown “does have the occasional incident here and there, but that’s pretty normal.”

President Joe Biden embraces Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris as first lady Jill Biden embraces second in command Doug Emhoff during the first day of the DNC

Hundreds of police officers have been deployed to crack down on the DNC and surrounding protests

Many were called to confront protesters who marched near the United Center on Monday

Another clothing store worker, Jessica, told DailyMail.com: ‘There are so many closures and we expect there to be more closures today.’

She also noted that Congress had slowed the flow of shoppers into the area, citing barricades along streets near the homes of Democratic Party leaders.

President Joe Biden waves as he stands onstage with his grandson Beau Biden during the Democratic National Convention on Monday, August 19, 2024 in Chicago

Several security guards standing in line outside expensive stores told DailyMail.com that the stores had less traffic during the DNC.

Residents are even somewhat frustrated with the Democratic Party conventions and it is having an impact on the city.

Ronald said he found the increased police presence in the city “not surprising” given the number of people who visit the city, adding that crime is a major problem for the city.

Some Chicago residents noted an increased police presence around the event

“It’s excessive, but it’s excessive and it’s always been excessive in certain areas,” the Chicago resident told DailyMail.com.

Ken, another long-time resident, says the impact is limited:

“The traffic is a little crazy here and there, and there are roadblocks popping up in different places, but I don’t know. I don’t think it’s that bad.”