Chicago residents brace for DNC traffic chaos amid parking and perimeter restrictions
CHICAGO - Street closures and parking restrictions for the 2024 Democratic National Convention are beginning to impact Chicago residents near the United Center and McCormick Place as security preparations intensify.
On the Near West Side, those who live and work in the area are bracing for a complicated convention week.
With convention signage adorning the United Center, and crews hard at work building temporary structures – the countdown to the DNC is on.
Parking restrictions were posted early Monday morning, leaving some community members unable to park in front of their homes. Those without garages are now scrambling to find alternative options before most restrictions take effect on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Some ‘no parking’ zones will be implemented through Sunday, Aug. 25.
It came as a surprise to many — including 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr.
"It’s not what you do, but how you do it. You cannot let people know at the last minute," said Burnett. "And you know, it’s not as bad if we know, but this just popped up on us all of the sudden."
Maps outlining DNC security perimeters were shared with residents and businesses near both the United Center and McCormick Place, but Burnett says parking restrictions outside of the secure zone were not part of the plan.
He is now looking to ease the burden on residents.
"Some folks are disabled, got disabled parking, they can’t park. You have folks who have children who need a car," said Burnett. "You cannot accommodate all these people with a parking spot unless you let them park in the United Center lots."
In addition to disabled individuals and those with children, Burnett says he is also concerned for the elderly. A senior living center is situated just a couple blocks from the United Center.
"Some of them, unfortunately, aren’t able to walk that far," said Burnett. "This is a challenging situation for the whole community."
He tells FOX 32 Chicago that he’s been in communication with Mayor Brandon Johnson, Governor JB Pritzker’s office, and the DNC planning team, but believes the enhanced parking restrictions came at the direction of the U.S. Secret Service.
"We were taking in everything Secret Service was telling us, they were telling us we are going to be out of the perimeter, that we’d be able to park. I think it’s very disingenuous to have people believe that they’d be able to park," Burnett added.
As ‘tow zone’ signs were posted Monday, fencing materials were being assembled along Wood Street, with crews constructing the secure perimeter that will extend across Washington, Wood, Warren, Adams, and Madison streets.
"I'm leaving for the week," said Elliot Robb, a resident near the United Center. "They put a ‘no parking’ ordinance, so I’m just going to go to the suburbs. Plus, I heard they took out a 50,000-protester permit, so I don’t want to be anywhere near here."
It will be a similar scene around McCormick Place starting at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, when the installation of fencing will begin there.
The perimeters at both locations will impact traffic and public transportation. Residents are expressing concern about how these restrictions will affect their daily commutes.
"My personal thought is, it’s going to be hectic, it’s going to be very hectic," said Darius McIntosh, who works near the United Center. "About 90 percent of our building is not coming in next week."
Malik Fowler, who lives near the United Center, is preparing for potential roadblocks.
"I work for Amazon, so it’s definitely going to be a hassle. Sometimes I get off work late, so for these two or three days, it’s going to be a little problem," Fowler said.
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Chicago DNC 2024: Road closures, parking restrictions begin around United Center, McCormick Place
The Democratic National Convention is set to arrive in Chicago in one week and security preparations will soon be underway.
Others, like Kandace Minor, say the excitement of hosting the convention in Chicago outweighs the short-term inconvenience it will bring.
"I’ll make it work for me because I’m actually excited it’s going to be here," said Minor, who works near the United Center.
The secure perimeter around the United Center, including pedestrian-restricted and vehicle screening zones, will take effect on Saturday, August 17, at 7 p.m.
The lockdown perimeter around McCormick Place will begin on Friday, August 16, at 10 p.m.
The city has advised residents living within these perimeters to carry a valid government-issued ID. Those driving personal vehicles will need to have their cars screened when entering the secure zones.
On Tuesday morning, top city officials, including CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling, will be joined by U.S. Secret Service officials for one last tabletop exercise before the convention.
They will also be sharing an update with the public on final DNC safety preparations.