Street closures began this week for the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago as crews started installing security perimeter fencing, but things are about to get even worse for commuters in the city.
Full street closures are slated to begin Friday evening around McCormick Place and Saturday evening for the United Center, the two locations housing main DNC events next week.
“Residents are encouraged to plan accordingly and allow extra travel time during the buildout and throughout the week of the convention,” officials said.
Rolling street closures first started Monday morning around both venues.
“Residents can expect intermittent traffic impacts in the areas around both convention sites due to restricted parking, rolling street closures and possible full street closures as needed,” convention officials said in a release.
In addition to the fencing closures, additional closures are anticipated for the week of the convention.
The DNC will take place from Aug. 19-22.
It comes just after Vice President Kamala Harris officially secured the Democratic nomination following a whirlwind in the Democratic Party that began with President Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race.
Here are the street closures planned for each location ahead of the DNC:
Fencing restrictions
United Center – Tentative Security Perimeter Fencing Buildout
Subject to Change
Monday, August 12
· 6 a.m. No Parking (in curb lanes) in all build areas along the security perimeter.
Monday, August 12 – Saturday, August 17
· 8 a.m. Fencing staging and install begins, expect rolling curb lane, full street and alley closures as needed.
Saturday, August 17
· United Center street closures begin at 7 p.m. along the restricted perimeter (security enforced).
United Center Fencing: Staging and Install – Parking Restrictions and Street Closures:
- Monday – build out on Washington: Damen to Wood, Wolcott between Washington & Warren; Paulina: Monroe to Adams
- Tuesday – build out on Washington: Damen to Wood; Wood: Washington to Warren; Warren between Wood and Paulina
- Wednesday – build out on Damen: Washington to Warren; Warren: Damen to Hoyne; Hoyne: Warren to Madison
- Thursday – build out on Adams: Damen to Wood
- Friday– build out on Madison: Hoyne to Seeley; Seeley: Madison to Adams; Damen: Adams to Jackson; Monroe: Wood to Paulina.
Friday, August 23
1 a.m. Take Down begins. Once complete, streets will open.
McCormick Place – Tentative Security Perimeter Fencing Buildout
Subject to Change
Monday, August 12
· 6 a.m. No Parking (in curb lanes) in all build areas along the security perimeter.
· 9 a.m. Fencing staging begins, expect rolling curb lane full street closures.
Tuesday, August 13 – Friday, August 16
· 12:01 a.m. Fencing install begins, expect rolling curb lane, full street and alley closures as needed.
Friday, August 16
· 10 p.m. McCormick Place Street Closures begin, restricted perimeter (security enforced).
McCormick Place Fencing: Staging and Install Parking Restrictions and Street Closures:
- Tuesday – build out on 24th Place: Michigan to McCormick Place; Indiana: 24th Place to 24th St; 24th St; Michigan to Indiana; Michigan: 24th Place to 25th St.; MLK Drive: McCormick to 25th St.
- Wednesday – build out on Indiana: 24th Place to Cermak; Cermak: Indiana to McCormick; 25th St at MLK Dr & McCormick
- Thursday – build out on McCormick: Cermak to MLK Dr.
Thursday, August 22
6 p.m. Take down begins. Once complete, streets will open.
Street Closures
McCormick Place Street Closures beginning on Saturday, August 17 at 7 p.m.
- 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.
No trucks or anything larger than passenger cars permitted on Interstate 55 / Stevenson Expressway between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and S State Street in both directions.
The MLK Blvd Exit from I-55 northbound lanes (here eastbound), inclusive of the I-55 turnaround lane (northbound to southbound) will be closed except to vehicles specifically authorized by the USSS.
NOTE: Expect rolling street closures due to DNC activity.
Sidewalk Closures around Venues:
Some sidewalks around the venues will be closed to pedestrian traffic for public safety. Be aware of any directional signage in the area.
Vehicle Screening Check Points in Effect on Friday, August 16 at 7 p.m.
Two vehicle screening check points will go into effect on Friday, August 16 at 7 p.m. through Thursday, August 22. They will be set up at the following locations.
- S. Indiana Ave. will have a hard close from E.18th St. to E. Cullerton.
- E. Cermak will have a hard close from S. Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.
Parking Restrictions
Parking Restrictions for McCormick Place (subject to change)
- 18th St from Michigan Ave to Prairie Ave daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- Cullerton St from Michigan Ave to Calumet Ave daily from 8 a.m. 10 p.m. and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- 21st St from Michigan Ave to Calumet Ave daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- Cermak Rd from Michigan Ave to Calumet Ave continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- 23rd St from Wabash Ave to Indiana Ave continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- 24th St from Wabash Ave to Indiana Ave continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- 24th Place from Wabash Ave to Indiana Ave continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- Calumet Ave from 18th St. to 200 feet south of 18th St. daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- MLK Dr. from 22nd St. to 25th St. continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- Prairie Ave. from 20th St. to 22nd St. continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- Indiana Ave. from 18th St. to 25th St. continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.
- Michigan Ave. from 21st St. to 25th St. continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.