Chicago City Wire

The 52nd Chicago Pride Parade marches through the city's Northhalsted, Lakeview, Uptown and Lincoln Park neighborhoods on Sunday, June 25, bringing crowds, street closures and increased traffic in the area. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is advising residents, spectators, and motorists to be aware of the street closures, traffic restrictions and additional crowds in the area and to plan accordingly.

 

For all events this weekend, the City of Chicago will have citywide deployments to ensure the safety and security of the public. The OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide, activating the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at select events citywide to direct flow and impacts from increased traffic.

 

Report Suspicious Activity: If You See Something, Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. Although the City has not received actionable intelligence, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an advisory on May 24, 2023 - National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin. DHS emphasizes the continued heightened threat environment across the United States. It notes that “lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and personal grievances continue to pose a persistent threat to the United States.

 

Excessive Heat is expected this weekend with forecasted temperatures in the upper 80s and lower 90s on Saturday and Sunday. When the temperatures climb to extreme levels, it’s important to check on relatives, neighbors, seniors, and our vulnerable population. If you are unable to make contact, you can request a well-being check by downloading the CHI311 app, visiting 311.chicago.gov, or calling 3-1-1. If there is a medical emergency due to a heat-related illness, call 9-1-1. Remember to stay hydrated and seek shade if you are attending one of the many weekend events.

 

Chicago Pride Parade – Lakeview/Uptown

Sunday, June 26, Noon

The Pride Parade steps off at noon from Broadway and Montrose and will proceed south on Broadway to Halsted; south on Halsted; east on Belmont; south on Broadway and east on Diversey to Cannon Dr. for disbanding.

 

Street Closures: Residents, attendees and participants should anticipate street closures as early as 8:00 a.m. for participant staging areas and parade route closures beginning as early as 9:30 a.m., or as the crowd dictates for safety issues, including Montrose, Irving Park and Wellington at Broadway and Addison, Grace, and Roscoe at Halsted. Streets are expected to fully reopen by 8 p.m. or when deemed safe to do so.

Pedestrian Crossings: Safely cross the event at the following locations:

o Montrose at Broadway

o Irving Park at Broadway

o Wellington at Broadway

o Barry at Broadway

o Addison at Halsted

o Grace at Halsted

o Aldine at Halsted

o Cornelia at Halsted

Parking Restrictions:

Public transportation is highly recommended. Parking restrictions in the area, which will be in effect and strictly enforced, will begin at 5:00 a.m. Sunday morning for the assembly area at Broadway/Montrose and parade route. Parking restrictions will be in effect throughout the area, so drivers are urged to read signage before parking. To locate a towed vehicle, call 3-1-1.

 

Pole Markers: Know Your Location. Get lost in the fun, not in the crowds. Temporary pole identifiers are visible from light poles throughout the parade route to mark the location. Lost? Injured? Witness criminal or suspicious activity? Don’t know your location in the crowd? Look up for the black signs with white lettering. Call 9-1-1 to give the letter-number combinations on the pole nearest to your location to help first responders locate you as quickly as possible. You can also use the identifiers to let friends and family know where you are if you become separated at the event.

 

Safety Measures: Although there are no known credible threats at this time, each year Chicago’s public safety departments along with parade organizers adjust the already robust security measures to ensure the safety of personnel, participants, spectators, residents, and all those in the area. OEMC has continued to coordinate safety efforts with law enforcement partners on the comprehensive safety plan, which includes the following measures:

· Implementing designated pedestrian street crossings.

· Displaying pole marker signs along the route to identify the location when calling 9-1-1. These black and white signs are located at the top of the street light poles with letters/numbers to identify the location.

· Increasing the presence of uniformed and plainclothes police officers.

· Enhancing capabilities of forward command utilizing assets from state and federal partners.

· Activating OEMC’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to enhance the Summer Operations Center. The EOC will be staffed by the City’s public safety and operations departments to monitor activities and support on-site staff.

· Placing barricades along the parade route for participant and attendee safety.

· Modifying the route over the last few years to alleviate crowd congestion.

· Establishing clearer routes for emergency responders to reach medical tents.

· Adding CTA bus and rail service to ease congestion on public transportation.

· Utilizing our robust camera system in the area.

 

As always, it is advised to check weather conditions and plan accordingly. Cooling buses, if needed, will be available at the following locations.

· Addison west of Halsted

· Roscoe east of Halsted

· Belmont east of Broadway

· Wilton north of Belmont

· Buena west of Broadway

· Belmont westbound between Halsted and Clark (2 buses)

 

Other Weekend Events:

Morgan Wallen at Wrigley Field: Country music artist Morgan Wallen will have a double evening show on Thursday, June 22 and Friday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m. (gates open at 4:30 p.m.) For details, visit mlb.com/concerts.

 

Chicago White Sox vs Boston Red Sox Guaranteed Rate Field: White Sox host Boston on Friday, June 23 at 7:10 p.m., Saturday, June 24 at 1:10 p.m. and Sunday, June 25 at 1:10 p.m. Residential Parking restrictions are in effect in the area. Note: Fans have an option have an option to enter the ballpark on the north side of 35th Street at Gate 5 and use 35th Street walkway to cross over to the ballpark seating area. This includes fans who arrive via Uber, Metra, and the El.

 

Pride in the Park at Butler Field: The festival is Friday, June 23 from 3 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, June 24 from 2 to 10 p.m. and the main entrance is on Jackson St. Jackson will be closed between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive for this event through June 27 and will remain closed through July 10 for the July 1-2 NASCAR Street Race. All concert goers are subject to search upon entering the park. Re-entry will not be permitted. PrideParkChi.com

 

Logan Square Arts Festival: Live music and art at the monument on Logan Square on Friday, June 23 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 from noon to 10 p.m. at the intersection of Logan Blvd, Kedzie, and Milwaukee Ave. LoganSquareArtsFestival.com

 

Re:SET Chicago Concert Series: Located in Riis Park at 6100 W. Fullerton Ave, the music festival takes place Friday, June 23 through Sunday, June 25 from 3 to 10 p.m. REsetoncertseries.com

 

Taste of Chicago in Humboldt Park: On Saturday, June 24, the Taste of Chicago Neighborhoods is at the Humboldt Park Boathouse from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. TasteofChicago.us

 

Miche Fest: On Saturday, June 24 – Sunday, June 25, noon – 10 p.m. at Harrison Park, 1854 S. Wood Street. MicheFest.live

 

Navy Pier Pride at Navy Pier: At 600 E. Grand Avenue (Navy Pier): Full day event of performances and events at the Pier on Saturday, June 24. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. on Saturday. For complete details, visit NavyPier.org

 

Public Transportation: As with any large–scale event, public transportation is encouraged and both CTA and Metra are providing additional service for the event. Public transit is the most affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to get to and from summertime events. For more information, visit TransitChicago.com and Metra.com

 

Chicago OEMC App – Know Before You Head Out

For safety and preparedness at your fingertips this Summer, residents and visitors are encouraged to download the new Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, CHI Safe Walk, weather information and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current events and forecasts, radar, and other weather-related information as well. The app is now available through the Apple App and Google Play stores. To immediately download, click HERE or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC.

 

Weather and Public Safety: OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. Residents are encouraged to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date information, please tune into local media or download the Chicago OEMC app.

 

Reminder: Bridges will be lifted in succession on Saturday, June 24 from Ashland to DuSable Lake Shore Drive beginning at 8 a.m. for boats heading to the lake. Motorists and pedestrians should expect delays or seek alternate route.

 

NOTE: Due to the Kennedy/Edens Expressway construction, motorists may experience delays and increased traffic on local area streets as drivers find alternative routes to avoid impacts of the project. For complete details on the construction project, visit the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) website at Idot.illinois.gov/projects/InterSt.ate-90-Kennedy-Bridge-St.udy

 

OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies. · Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org

• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5

• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

 

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook (@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911)

Original source can be found here.