Senator Barack Obama selects Chicago's Grant Park for Election Night

CBS2chicago.com report....



Election Night In Grant Park: Construction Begins. City Vows To Bill Obama Campaign For Estimated $2 Million In Costs Associated With Outdoor Bash



http://cbs2chicago.com/local/obama.event.grant.2.846677.html



CHICAGO (CBS) ― Election Day is less than two weeks away, and Chicago could be home to the biggest political party in the country. Construction is underway for a massive stage in Grant Park where Barack Obama could declare victory on election night.



As CBS 2's Joanie Lum and Political Editor Mike Flannery report, tens of thousands are expected to gather before the stage on election night. One way or another, that huge crowd will witness history.



The city announced Thursday that the total estimated costs for securing Grant Park, surrounding buildings, streets and manhole covers and adding extra security on buses will be $2 million. The Obama campaign will be billed in full for the costs.



When asked whether he considered rejecting the outdoor rally, Mayor Daley said, "Could you see me saying no to Sen. Obama? Give me a break. I'm not that dumb."



The Obama campaign earlier promised that Chicago taxpayers will not have to foot the bill for police, fire and medical services that will be required for election night. Nov. 5, 1996, was actually the last election night when both major party candidates spoke publicly. In the close elections of 2000 and 2004, that did not happen. But this year, that may change, and preparations to accommodate a big crowd in Grant Park are already underway.



A lot of work remains on platforms for speakers, risers for cameras and security barricades. Earlier Wednesday, construction crews at the south end of Grant Park were assembling what they said would hold a giant video screen for the election night gathering.



No one really knows how many people will come to the lakefront's Grant Park on Nov. 4. Weather will likely play a role. It was warm and sunny a few days ago in St. Louis when Barack Obama drew an estimated 100,000 to the banks of the Mississippi River.



Chicago's mass transit system is one key to moving massive numbers in and out of the lakefront park. Grant Park is used to giant gatherings from the annual Lollapalooza music festival and the Taste of Chicago to rallies for Michael Jordan's old Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. What may have been the largest crowd in the city's history -- at least 350,000 -- gathered in the park to watch Pope John Paul II celebrate a Catholic mass in October 1979.



Deputies to Mayor Richard M. Daley have been planning for the potentially huge event for more than a month. "



That's what we're talking about…it's all about safety," Mayor Daley said.



The mayor said only that on Wednesday.



Others said he's concerned about security and about not sticking taxpayers for what may be millions of dollars in extra costs.



Daley's press secretary Jacqueline Heard told CBS 2 News the Office of Emergency Management has been meeting with the Obama campaign.



"We are demanding payment guarantees from the Obama campaign up front," Heard said. "Taxpayers cannot be asked to pay for a political party. We will bill the Obama campaign for city services needed. We may apply for Homeland Security money to pay for police and fire costs."



Officials said the senator from the Hyde Park neighborhood has already agreed to pay substantial, but so far undisclosed, amounts for security, emergency medical services and for cleaning up after the election.



Security would include perimeter fences, street closures and metal detectors, as have been seen at Grant Park in the past. But because Obama has requested more security, Secret Service agents would also be present, and snipers would be posted on buildings nearby.



Obama is also charging hefty fees for TV stations to get the better camera spots. But they maintain they won't make any profit by the event, hoping just to break even.



"There'll be a vast grassy area where the public and the news media can watch Barack Obama for free," said Obama spokesman Justin DeJong.



Again, that is assuming that Obama has anything to say publicly. The outdoor nomination ceremony at the Democratic Convention in Denver was produced by filmmaker Steven Spielberg. There is no word on who is going to create the Grant Park stage.



CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery and Joanie Lum contributed to this report.