DOWNTOWN — Headed Downtown this weekend?
The city said Friday there could be road closures and detours as people celebrate Mexican Independence Day and El Grito Fest — among other events in the Loop.
El Grito Fest, which takes place Saturday and Sunday in Grant Park, will include live performances, booths featuring local small businesses and artisans, as well as cultural programming.
At the same time, Chicagoans will be celebrating Mexican Independence Day in neighborhoods across the city — including parades in Little Village and South Chicago Sunday. In years past those have been followed by celebrations and car caravans heading Downtown — snarling traffic in the Loop and in neighborhoods around it.
In anticipation of the weekend festivities, city officials said Chicago police could implement traffic restrictions throughout the Loop starting Friday.
If traffic is being limited, these are the following access points that will allow traffic into the Loop, according to the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications:
HalstedWashington
Halsted/Madison
Halsted/Jackson
Division/LaSalle
Roosevelt/Canal
Taylor/Desplaines
18th/State
18th/Indiana
The Illinois State Police may also close Interstate exits as needed overnight, according to OEMC. The department is also encouraging people traveling in and out of the neighborhood to use public transportation.
If closures are implemented, residents and employees traveling in and out of the Loop by car must present proof of a residential or workplace address within the Loop to gain entry. If you are driving in to attend an event or have reservations in the Loop, be prepared to show proof such as an event ticket or reservation confirmation, according to OEMC.
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