As day one of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago gets underway, federal and local law enforcement officials have stepped up security in certain areas and issued several street closures across the city, from areas around the United Center, to McCormick Place, to streets in the Gold Coast.
But Chicago residents this week may see — and hear — another layer of security buzzing around: military helicopters.
According to the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, military helicopters are expected to fly over the city ahead of and during the DNC.
“Military helicopters will be flying through the area in advance of the DNC today and throughout the week,” a tweet from the OEMC said Monday morning.
The agency did not provide further details on where the helicopters would be flying.
The announcement comes after the OEMC this weekend abruptly announced additional street closures for busy downtown Chicago streets beginning Sunday “due to DNC activity,” including streets along Michigan Avenue.
Other street closures around the United Center and McCormick Place, where the DNC is being held, were already in place.
Additionally, several permitted protests Monday could disrupt traffic in areas near Union Park on Chicago’s west side.
Below is a full list of street closures for the DNC.
Downtown, Gold Coast street closures for the DNC
- N. Wabash from E, Chestnut to E Delaware Place from Sunday, August 18 through Wednesday, August 21
- E. Huron Street from N. Michigan to N. Rush from Sunday, August 18 through Friday, August 23
- E. Chicago from N. Michigan Avenue to N. Rush Street from Sunday, August 18 through Friday, August 23
- E .Delaware Place from N. State to N. Rush on Tuesday, August 20.
- N. Rush from E. Delaware Place to E. Walton on Tuesday, August 20.
- E Walton from N State to N Rush on Tuesday, August 20.
- N State from E Delaware to E Walton on Tuesday, August 20.
Restricted vehicle traffic: Jackson Boulevard from South Damen Avenue to South Wood Street
Street Closures near United Center, McCormick Place
Began Thursday, Aug. 15
- West Washington Boulevard from Damen Avenue to South Wood Street
- Damen Avenue from Jackson Boulevard to West Washington Boulevard
- West Warren Boulevard from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
- West Madison Street from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
- West Monroe Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
- West Adams Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
- South Honore Street from West Monroe Street to West Adams Street
- South Wood Street from West Washington Boulevard to West Jackson Boulevard
- South Seeley Avenue from West Madison Street to West Adams Street
Began Saturday, Aug. 17
- Indiana Avenue from 18th to E. 24th Place
- Michigan Avenue from 21st to 25th Street
- Cermak Road from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
- 23rd Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
- Prairie Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
- 24th Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
- Calumet Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
- 24th Place from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
- MLK Drive from Cermak Rd. to 25th Street
- E 21st Street closed from, and inclusive of, S. Michigan Avenue to S. Calumet Avenue.
- E 21st St is open from west of S Michigan Avenue to inclusive of S Wabash Avenue and E 21st.
Additionally, no trucks or vehicles larger than passenger cars permitted on I-55 between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and South State Street in both directions.