Take note if you’ll be in the downtown area this weekend.
Vehicle traffic could be restricted because of Mexican Independence Day celebrations, city officials warned this week. Residents may experience increased traffic downtown, Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications said, adding street closures to limit traffic flow may be necessary “in extreme circumstances.”
A large number of caravans swarmed streets the past few years, forcing city officials to temporarily stop drivers from entering downtown.
Ald. Brendan Reilly, whose 42nd Ward includes part of the downtown area, said Chicago police “will implement rolling closures if unsanctioned car caravans are blocking traffic in the Central Business District.”
Chicago’s Central Business district is defined by the below boundaries:
According to city officials, in the event of closures, those who live or work in the area will be allowed to enter – but may be asked to show their driver’s license or Employee ID at one of the “access points.” Anyone planning to attend an event should have proof of their reservation, OEMC said.
If the city does limit vehicle access to downtown, the following locations will serve as “access points:”
- West Chicago Avenue and North Green Street
- North Halsted Street and West Washington Boulevard
- South Halsted Street and West Madison Street
- South Halsted Street and West Jackson Boulevard
- West Division Street and North LaSalle Drive
- Roosevelt Road and South Canal Street
- West Taylor Street and South Desplaines Street
- East 18th Street and South State Street
- East 18th Street and South Michigan Avenue
- East 18th Street and South Indiana Avenue
This year, immigration enforcement operations have cast a cloud over celebrations, so it’s unknown what will happen.
Ald. Brian Hopkins, who represents the city’s 2nd Ward, said 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.”
Hopkins said if the city does restrict vehicle access to downtown, there won’t be much notice.
“It will just happen,” he stated. “That’s when having that pass will help you as a resident if you are just trying to get home.”
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