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Chicago DNC 2024: Road closures, parking restrictions begin around United Center, McCormick Place

By and Cody King
Updated  August 12, 2024 6:46am CDT
Chicago DNC 2024
FOX 32 Chicago

Near West Side residents affected by DNC security setup

Construction is underway on the Near West Side as the DNC security perimeter is set up around the United Center. Several apartment buildings are in the secure zone and residents have to navigate street closures and other road blocks.

CHICAGO - The Democratic National Convention is set to arrive in Chicago in just one week and security preparations are already underway.

The security perimeter buildout began at 6 a.m. around the United Center and McCormick Place.

With this in mind, residents can expect traffic delays around both of the sites due to restricted parking, rolling street closures and full street closures as they are needed, according to convention officials. 

The convention is set to take place Monday, Aug. 19 through Thursday, Aug. 22. 

Security measures being set up around Chicago for the DNC

Security measures are starting to ramp up around downtown Chicago as the city prepares to host tens of thousands of visitors for the Democratic National Convention.

Full street closures will begin at 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 at McCormick Place and at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17 at the United Center.

The schedule is subject to change, but shared below is a tentative plan, so residents can start planning ahead:

United Center - Fencing buildout plan 

  • Monday, August 126 a.m. No Parking (in curb lanes) in all building areas along the security perimeter.
  • 6 a.m. No Parking (in curb lanes) in all building areas along the security perimeter.
  • Monday, August 12 – Saturday, August 178 a.m.  Fencing staging and installation begins. Expect rolling curb lanes, full street and alley closures as needed.
  • 8 a.m.  Fencing staging and installation begins. Expect rolling curb lanes, full street and alley closures as needed.
  • Saturday, August 17United Center street closures begin at 7 p.m. along the restricted perimeter (security enforced).
  • United Center street closures begin at 7 p.m. along the restricted perimeter (security enforced).
  • Friday, August 231 a.m. Take down begins. Once complete, streets will open.
  • 1 a.m. Take down begins. Once complete, streets will open.

United Center road restrictions for the DNC | U.S. Secret Service

United Center - 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.

McCormick Place - Fencing buildout plan

  • Monday, August 126 a.m. No parking (in curb lanes) in all building areas along the security perimeter.9 a.m.  Fencing staging begins, expect rolling curb lane full street closures.
  • 6 a.m. No parking (in curb lanes) in all building areas along the security perimeter.
  • 9 a.m.  Fencing staging begins, expect rolling curb lane full street closures.
  • Tuesday, August 13 – Friday, August 1612:01 a.m. Fencing install begins. Expect rolling curb lane, full street and alley closures as needed.
  • 12:01 a.m. Fencing install begins. Expect rolling curb lane, full street and alley closures as needed.
  • Friday, August 1610 p.m. McCormick Place Street Closures begin, restricted perimeter (security enforced).
  • 10 p.m. McCormick Place Street Closures begin, restricted perimeter (security enforced).
  • Thursday, August 226 p.m. Take down begins. Once complete, streets will open.
  • 6 p.m. Take down begins. Once complete, streets will open.

McCormick Place road restrictions for the DNC | U.S. Secret Service

McCormick Place - 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.

These plans are subject to change between now and the start of the convention.

All residents and local businesses who want to be notified about traffic impacts, street closures and more can sign up for text alerts by texting "DNC" to 226787. You can also sign up for alerts here. 

We'll bring more updates to this story as they become available. 

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