Surprise protests have popped up around Chicago as activists disrupt meetings, events and meals on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention.

The big picture: Mostly peaceful marches dominated headlines earlier in the week, but smaller disruptions have sprung up at parties and delegation events.

• Several women senators attended a luncheon at Avli on the Park yesterday afternoon, before CodePink co-founder Medea Benjamin and co-director Danaka Katovich interrupted the event, chanting, "There is no majority for Israel."
• Other reports include a disruption at the Indiana state delegation breakfast, where delegates allegedly were targeted and the FBI is investigating whether protesters deliberately put bugs — potentially crickets or maggots — in the delegation's food.
• Also, protesters bum-rushed the Axios Chicago event stage at RPM Events on Tuesday evening.

Zoom out: Those disruptions come after a Tuesday night protest at the Israeli Consulate by a group separate from the Coalition to March on the DNC that resulted in the arrest of dozens of protesters and three journalists.

• Protesters also disrupted an interview with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the Auditorium Theater during a taping of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Tuesday and were removed from the theater.

As the Democratic National Convention roars to the finish line, popular Democrats are appearing at state delegation meetings to drum up energy and support for the election, just 75 days away.

Driving the news: Yesterday's Illinois delegation breakfast featured big hitters like Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

The intrigue: Johnson had been noticeably absent from the Illinois morning meetings, instead hitting up other states' breakfast gatherings, speaking in front of the Florida, Mississippi and Wisconsin delegations.

Flashback: Buttigieg and Johnson spent parts of their speeches talking about how Illinois Democrats helped launch their political careers.

• Buttigieg thanked Sen. Dick Durbin for inviting him to speak in Springfield three years ago.
• "He [Durbin] must have really been panicking, because he had to get all the way down the list to get to the mayor of South Bend," Buttigieg joked.
• Johnson heaped praise on Illinois Senate President Don Harmon for first hiring him to work as a director of constituent services for $10 an hour.

Zoom in: The mayor gave a more subdued speech due to his raspy voice, worn out from his convention duties.

• He did show off his some of his oratory skills with a rousing end to the speech about giving politics back to the people.

Yes, but: Johnson may have forgotten whom he was addressing, starting his remarks with how Chicago is the "greatest freakin' city in the world," a line he used in his DNC speech Monday night.

What's next: This morning the Illinois delegation welcomes Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

🗳️ Oprah Winfrey at the DNC last night urged voters to "choose common sense over nonsense" and vote for Kamala Harris. (Axios)

🍕 Pequod's Pizza and Milly's Pizza In The Pan were named in the top five of Yelp's ranking of the "Top 100 Pizza Spots in the Midwest" for 2024. (WGN-TV)

⚕️ Gov. JB Pritzker is among other reproductive rights advocates who believe protections should be in place at the state level — and must go beyond what Roe v. Wade guaranteed. (Axios)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, former President Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey took the stage at the United Center last night, but Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention was closed out by a South Sider.

The big picture: The benediction was delivered by rookie alderperson William Hall, who is lead pastor at St. James Church. Hall represents the 6th ward, which includes his home neighborhood of Chatham.

What they're saying: "I'm overwhelmed, overjoyed by the emotions of the moment," Hall told Axios before hitting the big stage.

• "Tonight is an homage to those who paved the way from the South Side of Chicago."

Zoom in: Hall is the only current elected official from the South Side who spoke on the DNC stage. He said he was onstage only because of Rev. Jesse Jackson and his father.

The Democratic National Convention and the party's presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, have inspired sweet offerings citywide, many available this week only.

• We checked out a few.

Kamalamann from Hewn Bakery in Evanston and Libertyville ($4.50) combines the sweet flaky pastry of a traditional kouign-amann with chocolate custard filling and blueberry jam.

• This delicious and lightly sweet tribute is available through today.

The Ceiling Smasher from Vermilion in River North features molten chocolate sauce poured over a poof of cotton candy that melts to reveal flourless chocolate cake, "because it's high time we get a woman president. It's 248 years overdue!" says Vermilion owner Rohini Dey.

Two more Kamala-inspired treats ... Plus: DNC-themed drinks specials

Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" is taping in Lakeview's Athenaeum Theatre all week. Monica checked it out yesterday.

Behind the scenes: Host Jordan Klepper talked about his time living in Wrigleyville, waved to his former ImprovOlympic teacher Charna Halpern in the audience and described recent barhopping adventures with Gov. JB Pritzker.

• He also thanked his visiting parents for their constant encouragement during his years as a struggling Chicago comic/CPS substitute teacher, which he called "frankly irresponsible."

Axios hosted a midconvention meet-up last night at McDonald's headquarters in Fulton Market where members of our national political team — David Lindsey, Sophia Cai and Alex Thompson — shared insights on the presidential race.

"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" had an electric audience last night at Auditorium Theatre, where Carrie caught Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Chicago's own Chance the Rapper.

Justin grooved to the house band at Blue Chicago, which delighted conventioneers into the wee hours this morning.

• The iconic River North blues bar was shut down for a private party after the DNC.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (9th) is one of Illinois's longest-serving members of Congress.

Yes, but: At 80, she's also brat. Or at least she's for Kamala being brat. Or maybe she's just a Charli XCX fan.