Buoyed by their success last time, local officials are moving to lure both the 2028 and 2032 Democratic National Conventions back to Chicago.

Multiple knowledgeable sources confirm that, as per a request for proposal from the Democratic National Committee, a bid recently was filed on behalf of the Chicago Host Committee, the group that put together the 2024 convention here. The DNC historically has sought bidders only for one presidential nominating convention at a time, but recently decided to go to a two-convention cycle to ease planning.

“We are moving forward after our great success in 2024,” said an informed source close to the bid. "We’re open to both 2028 and 2032.”

Winning the convention would be a major coup for Gov. JB Pritkzer, whose aides and associates are the key movers behind the Chicago bid. Pritzker for months has dropped all kinds of hints that he’s exploring a race for the Democratic nomination for president in 2028, and hosting the convention that will make the decision in his hometown and in front of a local audience likely would only help his nomination prospects.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office declined to comment on the bid. Insiders say he was more interested in hosting the 2032 than 2028 convention, but the host committee proceeded with the twin-convention bid.

The 2024 convention was by all accounts a big success. Though nominee Kamala Harris flopped in the later fall campaign, the Chicago event, conducted at the United Center and at McCormick Place, not only enabled a smooth transition from then-President Joe Biden to Harris but actually made money, a rarity in the convention business. Overall, according to local organizers, the local committee raised $97 million but only spent $88 million, donating the remainder to charity and legacy projects.

“What we learned in 2024 will allow us to hit the ground running,” in 2028 and/or 2032, says that source.

Despite that success, Chicago is far from a lock to win its bid.

While conventions can spark huge demonstrations and other unrest, they also provide an international stage for the host town to strut its wares, and provide a pop to local hotels, restaurants and bars.

Among other cities believed to be bidding to host one or both of the conventions are Boston, Las Vegas, Atlanta, San Antonio and Denver. Boston, Atlanta and Denver previously have hosted Democratic confabs, but Georgia now has a Republican governor and all four of the other cities have much fewer available hotel rooms than Chicago.

A DNC site-review committee is expected to come to Chicago sometime this spring to take a close look at what the locals are offering.