CONVENTION ZONE: Chicago may avoid the crisis of migrants arriving in droves as the Democratic National Convention kicks off next week.

What Dem leaders are saying: Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office say they’re prepared for anything, but so far they see recent federal action keeping immigration in check.

“We’re not seeing so many buses. In fact, we haven’t seen a bus for a month and a half coming to Chicago,” Pritzker said in a gaggle with reporters.

Girding for the worst: For months, city and state officials have been bracing for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to send more busloads of immigrants from the border to Chicago in an attempt to create chaos as the world watches the Democratic convention.

“We’re bracing ourselves, but we haven’t seen it yet,” Jason Lee, a top adviser to the mayor, told Playbook in an interview. “Policies and other things that the federal government has done have been effective. The vice president and president deserve credit for what they’ve been able to do.”

Pritzker singled out Harris, saying she helped “negotiate with other countries to make sure that they’re doing what they need to do to keep people from coming to the U.S. border.”

The status in Chicago: The migrant crisis hasn’t disappeared. Many who arrived over the past year are still working with city and state officials to get their footing with services and job placement, Lee said.

It remains a political talking point: The border issue is a vulnerability for Harris on the campaign trail, much the way it was for President Joe Biden. Republicans have given Harris the title of “border czar” and blamed her for the stumbles in the country’s immigration actions. Pritzker said it’s Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump who made immigration “a challenge for our country.”

On immigration reform: Pritzker pointed to a bipartisan border security bill that failed after Trump signaled he opposed it. “We need comprehensive immigration reform. He knows it, but he doesn’t want it because he thinks it’s a political issue that he can take advantage of,” Pritzker said. “Democrats want to actually secure the border and make sure that we have immigration reform.”

CONVENTION ZONE TIDBITS

— DNC cleanup aims to improve Chicago beyond the convention, but also echo 1996 efforts: “The city has tackled projects big and small, from repaving roads and installing new signs to fast-tracking the new $80 million Damen Avenue Green Line stop near the United Center, where all the show business of the convention will occur,” by the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan.

— An insider guide to the Democratic convention with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, by the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet

— BOTTOMS UP: Gov. JB Pritzker’s team worked with Illinois craft brewers to come up with JBeer (Get it?), an IPA and Mexican lager that will be served at spots during the Democratic National Convention. ABC 7’s Craig Wall has more

— Convention lineup: Watch for Mayor Brandon Johnson to speak on the opening day of the convention on Monday and the governor on Day 2. A tribute is also planned for the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Monday, too.

— On Sunday: A racial equity summit will bring together elected officials and community leaders, by the Tribune’s Darcel Rockett

— On Aug. 19, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon is hosting a fundraising dinner along with Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson. The event is focused on protecting reproductive rights.

— On Aug. 20, State Rep. La Shawn Ford is hosting a party at the Billy Goat Tavern near the United Center. Congressman Danny Davis is a headliner.

— On Aug. 21: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is celebrating Black statehouse speakers from around the country. There are seven Black speakers in total. The event is called Black Excellence in Bleu.

— On Aug. 22: Businessman Al Friedman, affectionately known as the mayor of River North, Cook County Democratic Party Chair Toni Preckwinkle and businesswoman Trisha Rooney are hosting a luncheon reception for Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, and Lavora Barnes, chair of the Democratic Party of Michigan.

Kamala Harris didn’t march in the Bud Billiken Parade, but her campaign had a presence thanks to Anna Valencia, the Chicago City clerk.

Harris’ team missed the deadline to secure a slot in the parade, so campaign organizers teamed up with Valencia, who had already signed up for what is considered the largest African=American parade in the country.

She’s on the team: Valencia served on Harris’ Illinois leadership team in 2019 and is working closely with the campaign this time around in the region.

The Bud Billiken Parade officially celebrates the start of the school year in Chicago, but politicos have long seen it as the unofficial kick-off to campaign season.

Spotted: Along with Valencia, Gov. JB Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, state Treasurer Michael Frerichs, state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, state Reps. Marcus Evans, Kam Buckner and Kimberly Du Buclet; Alds. Lamont Robinson, Matt Martin and William Hall; Cook County Commissioners Monica Gordon and Bill Lowry; and water board Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos.

Also at the parade: Democratic National Convention Host Committee execs Christy George and Keiana Barrett, attorney Bob Fioretti, Cubs Executive VP of Community, Government and Legal Affairs Mike Lufrano, United Airlines Government Affairs Director Kristopher Anderson, Mariano’s VP of Comms and Branding Amanda Puck, Riteway-Huggins Construction Services CEO Larry Huggins and MLS Public Strategies’ Fred Lebed.

Contract tension: Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez and Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates were at the parade, too, though they didn’t march together. Their shops are deep in negotiations over a teachers contract. Martinez said he’s “hopeful,” though they’re a long way from reaching an agreement, and Davis Gates said she’s “frustrated” by the bureaucracy. Stay tuned.