Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) has announced a planned May Day march and rally for May 1, taking place in both Union Park and Grant Park. The event will proceed with a march through the West Loop and the Central Business District. Residents and visitors are urged to stay alert and report any suspicious activity by contacting 9-1-1.

OEMC will oversee the event from their Operations Center, coordinating with the Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Fire Department, and other city infrastructure departments to ensure participants can exercise their First Amendment rights safely. An increased police presence is expected to maintain public safety for those living, working, and visiting near the demonstration.

The day's events will kick off in Union Park starting at 9:15 a.m. with speakers, followed by a march to Grant Park at 11 a.m. The route includes East on West Washington Street to South Morgan Street, South on South Morgan Street to West Jackson Street, and East on West Jackson Street into Butler Field at Grant Park. At 2 p.m., a speaking program will commence in Grant Park, and the event will conclude at 4 p.m.

Motorists should anticipate rolling street closures along the route and consider taking alternate paths. Public safety remains a priority, and the City urges people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious, adhering to the national "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign. More information and safety tips are available on Chicago.gov/OEMC.

For additional safety on the lakefront, residents should note the numbered poles along Grant Park and DuSable Lake Shore Drive to assist in emergencies and serve as meeting points for separated parties. In emergencies, these identifiers can help OEMC call takers and dispatchers provide accurate locations for first responders.

The Chicago OEMC app is recommended for residents to receive the latest weather conditions, event information, and street closures. The app is available on Chicago.gov/OEMC or through the Apple and Google Play stores. OEMC will continue to issue notifications regarding weather conditions, street closures, and emergencies.

For further information, residents can access the Office of Emergency Management and Communications website, sign up for Notify Chicago alerts, and follow their social media channels across various platforms.