The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) reminds the public of large crowds and security measures in place this weekend for the Crosstown Classic at Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago Triathlon, Taste of Greektown as well as the many festivals and events happening citywide. OEMC stresses the importance of always being aware of surroundings and report suspicious activity to on-site event security or call 9-1-1.    

 

Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible reroutes. Street closures will be in effect for larger events to ensure public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at events citywide to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. Public transportation is encouraged. For more information on CTA services and reroutes, visit www.transitchicago.com or call 312-836-7000 from any area code/1-888-YOUR-I CTA. 

 

Mask Guidance Update: Effective Friday, August 20, both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in the City of Chicago must wear a face covering in indoor public spaces. Masking remains optional in outdoor settings where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is lower. However, masks are recommended for unvaccinated individuals in crowded outdoor settings.  For details visit chi.gov/covidvax 

 

OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide in its Operations Center and coordinate public safety resources with the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department and City of Chicago infrastructure departments. Residents and motorists should be aware of the following large events: 

 

Crosstown Classic Traffic – Sox v. Cubs / Guaranteed Rate Field 

Friday, August 27 at 7:10p.m., Saturday, August 28 at 6:10p.m. and Sunday, August 29 at 1:10p.m. 

The Chicago White Sox and The Chicago Cubs will face one other in the annual Crosstown Classic-North Series on Guaranteed Rate Field located at 333 W. 35^th Street. Motorists in the area should be prepared for traffic slowdowns adjacent to the ballpark, which will be implemented by public safety officials, should conditions warrant.  

 

Residents around the ballpark are reminded to display their residential parking permits on game days. For everyone’s safety, due to COVID-19, White Sox residential parking stickers and passes will be mailed to residents.  This year, residents can use the 2019 or 2020 stickers and passes. For a detailed map of the restricted area, visit the 11th Ward website at http://www.ward11.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/w11_WhiteSoxResidentialParking.pdf 

 

For those using rideshare services, Parking Lot A is the designated pickup and drop off zone. Accessible parking for cars displaying state-issued disability placards is available on the north side of the ballpark in parking Lot B, immediately adjacent to Gate 5. 

 

CPD will have an increased presence around Guaranteed Rate Fields to ensure public safety on game days. As CPD stresses the strict enforcement of public intoxication ordinances and DUI laws, they will also be working closely with BACP to ensure business compliance and enforce City and State liquor laws that prohibit over-serving and serving alcohol to minors. Additionally, the peddling of goods without a license and the selling or soliciting the sale of residential parking passes is illegal. 

 

Public transportation is encouraged. For more information on CTA services and reroutes, visit www.transitchicago.com or call 836-7000 from any area code/1-888-YOUR-CTA. 

 

Chicago Triathlon 2021 / Chicago’s Lakefront and Grant Park 

Sunday, August 29, 6 a.m. 

Race weekend consists of five stand-alone triathlons, including the LifeTime Kids Tri Chicago (8/28), Chicago Tri SuperSprint (8/28) and the Chicago Triathlon Sprint and International races (8/29). The race course extends from I-55 to the south and Hollywood Beach to the North with varying stretches along Lake Shore Drive, Wacker Dr, within Monroe Harbor, and Grant Park. For details, visit chicagotriathlon.com/race/ 

• Start of Event/Swim Portion: The swim is held in Monroe Harbor, with the starting line at Balbo Drive and Lake Shore Drive. 
• Transition Area: This area will be where participants switch from swimming, to biking, to running. This is located at DuSable Harbor-North Entrance is at 600 E. Randolph St. and the South Entrance is at 400 E Monroe St.  
• Bike Portion: Starting at the Transition Area, north to Hollywood Ave, back south to Wacker Dr, to Jackson Blvd riding along Lower Wacker Dr, back to Michigan Ave, and south down to I-55, North back to transition area at Randolph.  
• Running Portion: Start at transition area and head south on Lake Shore Dr. to 31^st St, north to finish line in Grant Park at 900 S. Columbus Dr.  

Street Closures: 

Saturday, August 28 at 5a.m.–Sunday, August 29 at 7p.m. 

• Columbus Dr from Balbo to Roosevelt Rd.  

Saturday, August 28 at 11p.m.–Sunday, August 29 at 4p.m. 

• DuSable Lake Shore Dr - Randolph Exit Ramp (northbound exit)  

Sunday, 29 August 29, 5a.m.–12:30p.m.  

• DuSable Lake Shore Dr - Randolph Exit Ramp (southbound exit) · 
• Intermediate Randolph St from Intermediate Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Dr (exceptions for local traffic and agreements)  

Sunday, August 29, 5a.m.–Noon  

• DuSable Lake Shore Dr from Randolph to Hollywood Blvd  

Sunday, August 29, 6:30–11:20a.m.  

• Lower/Intermediate Wacker Dr from DuSable Lake Shore Dr to Jackson Dr (drive and ramp)  

Sunday, August 29 at 6:30-11:45a.m. 

• McCormick Place Busway from Lower Randolph Dr to 25th St (all lanes) 
• Lower Columbus Dr from Lower Wacker to Lower Randolph Dr (all lanes)  

Sunday, August 29 at 6:30a.m.–Noon  

• Intermediate Columbus from Lake St to Water St (all lanes) 

 

Saturday, August 28 

Life Time Kids Tri Chicago / Foster Beach, 5200 N. Lakeshore Drive 

Saturday, August 28: 6:45 a.m. Swim Start (Juniors), 7:00 a.m. Race Start (Juniors), 7:45 a.m. Swim Start (Seniors), 8:00 a.m. Race Start (Seniors). For details, visit chicagotriathlon.com/race/kids-tri/ 

 

Chicago Tri SuperSprint Foster Beach, 5200 N. Lakeshore Drive 

Saturday, August 28: 9:50 a.m. Swim Start, 10:00 a.m. Race Start. For details, visit chicagotriathlon.com/race/supersprint/  

 

Taste of Greektown / Halsted Street from Van Buren to Adams 

Friday, August 27, 4–10pm; Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29, Noon–10pm  

Taste of Greektown will take place on Halsted Street in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. The event include food, music and games 

 

Wilco & Sleater-Kinney / Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion 

Saturday, August 28, Gates Open at 4p.m., Show at 6p.m. 

This show was originally scheduled for August 8, 2020, tickets will be honored. Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or negative COVID-19 test (no more than 72 hours prior to the show) will be required upon entry. You can also watch live on nugs.net. For details, visit wilcoworld.net/. 

 

Rise Against / Northerly Island 

Saturday, August 28, 7p.m. (gates open at 5:30p.m.) 

Chicago punk rock band will perform at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island at 7p.m. Ride-share operators have been instructed not to drop off riders on Columbus Drive or DuSable Lake Shore Drive, but rather at the designated locations. Those utilizing ride-share to go to the concert are urged to use the pedestrian underpass. For details including security and health policy, visit LiveNation.com/HuntingtonBankPavilionatNortherlyIsland 

 

RADwood 2021 / Soldier Field Waldron Parking Deck, 458 E 18th Drive  

Saturday, August 28, 11a.m.–4p.m.  

For Details on the RADwood car show, visit universe.com/events/radwood-chicago-2021-tickets-53C2DM 

 

Dragon Boat Race for Literacy 2021 / 300 W. 19^th Street 

Saturday, August 28, 8:30a.m.–4p.m. 

The Chicago Dragon Boat Race for Literacy is a family-fun activity enjoyed by visitors from all over the city and surrounding suburbs. For details, visit ccc-foundation.org/dragon-boat-race-for-literacy/     

 

Aventura - Concert / Wrigley Field 

Sunday, August 29, 8p.m. 

Aventura will perform at Wrigley Field (1020 W. Addison) on Sunday, August 29, gates open at 6 p.m. For details, visit Aventura at Wrigley Field | Tickets | Chicago Cubs (mlb.com) 

 

Public Transportation Options 

Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible reroutes. Street closures in the area may be implemented to ensure the public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at events citywide to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. Public transportation is encouraged. For more information on CTA services and reroutes, visit www.transitchicago.com or call 836-7000 from any area code/1-888-YOUR-CTA. 

 

Public Safety  

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.  

 

Weather 

OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. We encourage residents to check the weather before heading out. The National Weather Service has forecasted temperatures in the upper 80s and 70s over the weekend with a chance of Thunderstorms and scattered showers through Sunday. For the most up-to-date weather information, please tune into local media or download a weather app.   

 

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC will issue any 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. OEMC also issues TEXT alerts for lakefront notices, issues affecting businesses or COVID-19 updates: 

 

• 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 
• COVID: Get COVID-19 updates by TEXTING “COVID19” 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).  

 

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