Chicago is hosting the Democratic National Convention from August 19 to August 22, 2024. 

This page contains information about how the convention will affect transportation in Chicago, whether you live here or are visiting. It also tells you where to get updates during the convention if there is traffic or an emergency. 

The official site for the convention is DemConvention.com.

If You Live In Chicago

If you live near the United Center or McCormick Place, some roads will be closed to cars and pedestrians from August 16-23, while other roads will be closed just to cars. The closed roads will also be closed to ride-hail cars, car services and paratransit. On this page are the maps, a list of streets that will be closed and a written description of the closed areas. 

You will still be able to go in and out of your home, and people will be able to come in as long as they have photo identification. If you do not have a photo ID, you can make an appointment to get a Chicago CityKey at no charge: Chicago City Clerk :: About CityKey

Read the Chicago DNC Frequently Asked Questions for more information: City of Chicago :: Frequently Asked Questions

If You Are Visiting Chicago for the Convention

Delegates to the Convention can take shuttles from their hotels to McCormick Place and the United Center. All shuttles are accessible CTA city buses. Taking the shuttle is the best way to get to McCormick Place and the United Center because you will be dropped off close to the buildings.

You will not be able to get into the United Center or McCormick Place without an official convention badge. 

We encourage you to take public transit. Chicago has three main agencies that provide public transportation: 

• CTA - Visitor Information
  • Please go to the bottom of this page to see planned CTA Bus Reroutes: Link to Planned CTA Bus Reroutes
• Metra - Fares and Other Rider Information
• Pace Bus - Information for Visitors to Chicagoland

How to Find Out What's Going On

If you want to get traffic and emergency updates during the Convention, you can sign up at NotifyChicago.org to get updates. You can choose text, email or voice updates, or more than one kind. 

You can also download the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) application here to send updates to your phone: Emergency Management and Communications :: Are You Ready Chicago?

Maps of Closed Streets and Areas

United Center

Description: Starting on August 17, the neighborhood around the United Center will be closed to pedestrians, unless they live, work or have a planned visit there. All of the United Center parking lots will be closed to pedestrians from West Washington Street south to West Adams Street, and South Seeley Avenue east to North Hermitage Avenue and the El tracks, as well as Madison Street and Warren Boulevard between Hoyne Avenue and Damen Avenue. Additionally, the area between Damen and Wood St. from West Adams south to Jackson Boulevard, and from Monroe Street south to Adams between Honore Street and Paulina Street will be closed to vehicles, as well as between Paulina Street and the El tracks from Madison south to Adams. 

United Center Street Closures begin on Saturday, August 17 at 7 p.m. 

• West Washington Boulevard from Damen Avenue to South Wood Street 
• Damen Avenue from Jackson Boulevard to West Washington Boulevard 
• West Warren Boulevard from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street  
• West Madison Street from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street  
• West Monroe Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street  
• West Adams Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street  
• South Horner Street from West Monroe Street to West Adams Street  
• South Wood Street from West Washington Boulevard to West Jackson Boulevard 
• South Seeley Avenue from West Madison Street to West Adams Street  

Restricted vehicle traffic: Jackson Boulevard from South Damen Avenue to South Wood Street  

McCormick Place

Description: Starting on August 16, the neighborhood around McCormick Place will be closed to vehicles from I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) north to East 21st Street, and from Michigan Avenue east to the McCormick Place Busway. Parts of East 24th Street and East 23rd St west of Michigan and Indiana Avenue, Prairie Avenue and South Calumet Avenue north of East 21st will also be closed to vehicles. McCormick Place and the streets immediately next to it will be closed to pedestrians without credentials. 

McCormick Place Street Closures begin on Friday, August 16 at 10 p.m. 

• Indiana Avenue from 18th to E. 24th Place 
• Michigan Avenue from 21st to 25th Street  
• Cermak Road from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
• 23rd Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
• Prairie Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
• 24th Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
• Calumet Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
• 24th Place from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
• MLK Drive from Cermak Rd. to 25th Street
• E 21st Street closed from, and inclusive of, S. Michigan Avenue to S. Calumet Avenue.
• E 21st St is open from west of S Michigan Avenue to inclusive of S Wabash Avenue and E 21st. 

Planned CTA Bus Reroutes

These are the CTA Bus planned reroutes for the Democratic National Convention. This page was updated on August 12, 2024. For current updates, visit this page: CTA Bus Status.

Routes #1 (Bronzeville/ Union Station), #3 (King Drive) and #4/#X4 (Cottage Grove) will travel on State Street in both directions between 18th and 26th Streets, rather than passing McCormick Place. 

Route #20 (Madison) will travel on Harrison instead of Madison between Ashland and Western in both directions. 

Route #21 (Cermak) will turn around west of the Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line Station (turning off Cermak to go northeast on Archer, south on State and west on Cermak) rather than stopping eastward leading to McCormick Place. 

Route #50 (Damen) will operate on Western between Grand and Harrison, and stopping at the Western Blue Line rather than the Illinois Medical District Blue Line. 

Route #126 (Jackson) will travel west on Van Buren and east on Congress rather than Jackson between Western and Ashland.