CHICAGO — As the Democratic National Convention kicks off Monday, Republican nominee Donald Trump — not Democratic nominee Kamala Harris — arguably has the most permanent and grandiose billboard in town.
It’s not a traditional billboard suspended alongside the highway, although there are plenty of those surrounding the city with decidedly convention-focused messages.
Rather, it’s the massive letters spelling out TRUMP across the 98-story reflective skyscraper, Trump International Hotel and Tower.
Close-up of Trump sign at Trump International Hotel and Tower in downtown Chicago (Photo by Dave Levinthal/Raw Story)
Suspended over the Chicago River in the city’s downtown for the past 15 years, Trump Tower is the second tallest building in Chicago, and it can’t help but attract the attention of millions of visitors and locals who pass by.
Still, Trump’s permanent presence in Chicago hasn’t stopped both conservative and liberal organizations and media from trying to battle out their causes via traditional billboards.
Heading north on Interstate 55, drivers first encounter billboards welcoming visitors to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention about 45 miles outside of the city near the far southwest, historically blue collar suburb of Joliet, Ill.
Then begins a steady stream of conservative billboards ranging from a sign encouraging drivers to “Discover why Jesus created you” to a “Truth & Tradition” ad from The Epoch Times, a conservative newspaper organization, which is in the midst of a scandal involving charges of money laundering. (The same billboard can be seen near O’Hare International Airport, too).
An ad from the conservative Epoch Times newspaper organization, advertising its website to motorists driving toward downtown Chicago from O’Hare International Airport. (Photo by Dave Levinthal/Raw Story)
As drivers approach the city itself, the Illinois Democrats’ presence becomes more pronounced with various billboards highlighting talking points such as: “Record job growth.” “Balancing budgets.” “Rebuilding roads, bridges & schools.” “Protect women’s rights.”
One of several billboards from Illinois Democrats that says "Protect Women's Rights." This particular billboard is sponsored by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's campaign committee. (Photo by Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
The Chicago host committee for the convention unveiled a new campaign, “The Future Is Built In Chicago,” featuring local leaders from nine Chicago neighborhoods.The billboards can be seen approaching the city, featuring ambassadors ranging from Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, a historian and popular TikTok creator, to Chris Harris Sr., a pastor of two prominent churches.
An ad featuring Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, a historian and popular TikTok creator, as part of the "The Future Is Built In Chicago,” campaign. (Alexandria Jacobson/Raw Story)
Throughout the city, cause-based ads were interspersed between official party ads, which included an uncredited “Support Our Troops sign, a “Protect and Serve” ad supporting fallen Chicago Police Department officers, a welcome to “Union Town USA” sign from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134 and a message from pro-abortion rights organization, Women’s Declaration International USA, that said “Dear Democrats: only WOMEN need ABORTIONS.”
A billboard on Aug. 16, 2024, en route to downtown Chicago, sponsored by pro-abortion rights organization Women’s Declaration International USA. (Photo by Dave Levinthal/Raw Story)
Media organizations took to billboards as well to promote their convention coverage.
Nonprofit public affairs cable network, C-SPAN, advertised its “unfiltered view of the national convention” to travelers at O’Hare International Airport. Fox News advertised its “Democracy ‘24” coverage on a highway billboard.
An advertisement for C-SPAN’s coverage of the Democratic National Convention greets travelers at O’Hare International Airport on Aug. 16, 2024, in Chicago. (Photo by Dave Levinthal/Raw Story)
Another Fox News ad showed viewership graphs boasting the network in a distinct first place compared to competitors NBC, ABC and CBS with the slogan, “America is watching .. are you?
Fox News channel ad with the slogan, "America is watching ... are you?" (Photo by Matt Laslo/Raw Story)
Billboard battles took place last month during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, as well.
Visitors to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport were greeted with billboards for the Heritage Foundation, the conservative group spearheading the controversial Project 2025 presidential transition” plan, and pro- and anti-Trump groups took to billboard campaigns with ads from the Republican National Committee to a political action committee backed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.