Democratic National Convention: Street closures, parking restrictions, public transportation and more
CHICAGO — The 2024 Democratic National Convention security buildout is underway in Chicago.
Parking restrictions are in place, and full closures began last week Friday.
The four-day event runs from Monday through Thursday, Aug. 19-22, and thousands are expected to be traveling all around the city. The convention is expected to bring in at least 5,000 delegates, more than 50,000 visitors, 15,000 members of the media and another 12,000 volunteers.
Chicago will be in the national spotlight all week, as Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to make history by accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for president in the 2024 election.
Harris is scheduled to arrive in Chicago from Pittsburgh on Sunday evening.
Monday night will pay tribute to President Joe Biden, who in a bombshell announcement last month said he won’t run for re-election. Biden will take the stage to make the case for his vice president and her running mate, Tim Walz.
This weekend, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker hosted a luncheon to kick off the convention.
“It is going to be one of the greatest experiences and the best convention, ever, in the history of the Democratic Party,” Pritzker proclaimed.
“… In about 81 days, we’ll all get to say the two words that we’ve been waiting 248 years to say in this country: ‘Madame President.'”
Many daytime activities are planned to take place around McCormick Place and other parts of the city.
DNC 2024 security zones and protest plans: What we know
Then, organizers anticipate a high volume of people to be at the United Center from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. each night.
Starting last week Friday at 10 p.m., access was restricted surrounding McCormick Place. Security checkpoints were in place around the United Center by Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Yellow Zone indicates the area where vehicles can enter, but they will be searched for explosives.
The Red Zone will be restricted to those who have DNC tickets or credentials.
For McCormick Place, the Red Zone encompasses Indiana Avenue north to Cermak, and south on McCormick Drive to the Stevenson Expressway.
What public transportation options are there?
As a result of all of the closures and added activity, there are newly available public transit options.
Attendees will be encouraged to use the new CTA Green Line Damen Stop– a few blocks north of the United Center.
For those traveling from O’Hare Airport, Metra is running hourly shuttles between O’Hare and downtown on the North Central Service Line.
That temporary schedule runs through August 30th.
Metra to run hourly service between O’Hare, Union Station during DNC
People are encouraged to download the Office of Emergency Management and Communications or OEMC app. You can also text DNC 226787.
What streets are closed for the DNC?
The City of Chicago website has updates on road closures here.
These McCormick Place Street Closures begin on Friday, August 16 at 10 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.
These United Center closures begin Saturday, August 17 at 7 p.m.
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 Horner 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
These street closures in downtown Chicago begin Sunday, August 18
North Wabash from East Chestnut to East Delaware Place from Sunday, August 18 through Wednesday, August 21
East Huron Street from North Michigan to North Rush from Sunday, August 18 through Friday, August 23
East Chicago from North Michigan Avenue to North Rush Street from Sunday, August 18 through Friday, August 23
These street closures in downtown Chicago begin Tuesday, August 20
East Delaware Place from North State to North Rush
North Rush from East Delaware Place to East Walton
East Walton from North State to North Rush
North State from East Delaware to East Walton
Parking Restrictions
Parking Restrictions for the United Center (subject to change)
Lake St. from Ashland to Damen, daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. south side of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22
Maypole Ave from Hermitage to Damen, daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, both sides of the street, from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22
Jackson Blvd from Wood to Western, continuous on both sides of the street from Saturday, August 17 to Friday, August 23.
Washington Blvd from Ashland to Paulina, continuous on both sides of the street, from Sunday, August 18 to Friday, August 23.
Warren Blvd from Ashland to Paulina, continuous on both sides of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Friday, August 23.
Paulina St from Washington to Lake, daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., both sides of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22.
Hermitage Ave from Washington to Lake, daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., both sides of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22.
Wood Ave from Washington to Lake, daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., both sides of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22.
Wolcott Ave from Washington to Lake, daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., both sides of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22.
Street Closures for the United Center Restricted Perimeter
Streets will close to local traffic only at 10 p.m. on Thursday, August 15 at 10 p.m. This includes Lake to Jackson and Western to Ashland and Ogden; with hard closures between Hoyne to Paulina and Lake to Adams.
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, Aug. 25.
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