The Democratic National Committee has decided to host its presidential nominating convention this year in Chicago, Illinois. The decision is puzzling. Illinois is a safe, blue state for Democrats, not having voted for a Republican presidential candidate since George H.W. Bush in 1988. In fact, Chicago hasn’t had a Republican mayor since William “Big Bill” Thompson left office in 1923, more than a century ago.

Perhaps the decision was a nod to Illinois governor and future presidential candidate J.B. Pritzker. Or maybe the DNC just really likes deep-dish pizza and Italian beef sandwiches.