Downtown Chicago streets could be shut down during Mexican Independence celebrations

Street closures could be put in place this weekend, the city of Chicago warned, in the event car caravans come to downtown during Mexican Independence Day celebrations.

However, immigration enforcement operations have cast a cloud over celebrations, so there’s much uncertainty about what will happen.

A chaotic scene erupted on downtown streets in 2024, prompting the Office of Emergency Management and Communications to issue a warning ahead of possible downtown street closures this year.

“Residents may experience increased traffic in the downtown area,” the office said in part, adding, “street closures limiting transit in the Central Business District and diversions to control traffic flow may be necessary.”

Ricky Medina, whose Rack ‘Em Entertainment car club is a regular part of these car caravans, said he isn’t worried.

“Instead of protesting in one spot, we are protesting in the whole city,” he said. “All over the city. South Side, downtown.”

One of the places most gridlocked by the caravans is usually Michigan Avenue. But Ald. Brian Hopkins, of the city’s 2nd Ward, has a plan to restrict access to the area if that needs to happen.

“It’s very hard to plan when you have that level of uncertainty,” he said.

Hopkins said the uncertainty is part of the fear many city residents have about ICE enforcement efforts.

“People don’t want to get into confrontations if their citizenship status is in question,” he said. “They don’t want to be deported because they went to a festival. That’s just unthinkable.”

During the celebration of Mexican independence, the city will be standing by with its plan, which also includes emergency access points and placards for residents and workers.

“We will only do that if necessary, but if we do, there won’t be a lot of advanced notice,” Hopkins said. “It will just happen. That’s when having that pass will help you as a resident if you are just trying to get home.”

For residents, knowing a plan is in place is comforting.

“I think just cars need to be more restricted in general,” a resident named Patrick said. “I don’t have issues with people having a good time and celebrating as long as people are not too dangerous in itself.”