CHICAGO, IL — This past weekend, Americans for Prosperity-Illinois (AFP-IL) mobilized activists, staff and a billboard truck outside the Democratic Socialists of America’s “Socialism 2026” convention in Chicago. The weekend’s events took place at McCormick Place — the government-owned complex that includes the Hyatt Regency, which is notably owned by the Pritzker family. AFP-IL was on the ground to provide a sharp contrast between the far-left policy agenda on display inside the convention and AFP’s vision of more freedom and less government.
Watch and listen to the coverage below:
The Center Square | American’s For Prosperity Launches Campaign Against Chicago Socialist Convention
WIND | AFP-IL’s Brian Costin on The Real Story with Jeanne Ives and Amy Jacobson
RedState | The 2026 Chicago Socialism Conference Starts on Friday, and It’s Full of Unintended Hilarity
New York Post | Hotel staff protest outside Chicago Hyatt where DSA touting its ‘Workers Deserve More’ program
AFP Managing Director Kent Strang and AFP-IL Deputy State Director Brian Costin focused on the real-world consequences of the socialist policies being promoted at the conference — including single-payer health care, government-run grocery stores, and rent control.
The activation builds on the launch of FightSocialism.com, AFP’s national campaign pairing fact-based education with paid advertising and a 50-state grassroots network built to make the case against socialism in the places the debate actually happens — kitchen tables, town halls, and community meetings.