Traffic Impacts


Traffic Impacts & Transportation Options


Street Closures:

United Center Street Closures begin on Thursday, August 15 at 10 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 Honore 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 Street Closures begin on Saturday, August 17 at 7 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. 

No trucks or anything larger than passenger cars permitted on Interstate 55 / Stevenson Expressway between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and S State Street in both directions.  

The MLK Blvd Exit from I-55 northbound lanes (here eastbound), inclusive of the I-55 turnaround lane (northbound to southbound) will be closed except to vehicles specifically authorized by the USSS. 

  • NOTE: There will be rolling street closures due to DNC activity. 

 

Sidewalk Closures around Venues:

  • Some sidewalks around the venues will be closed to pedestrian traffic for public safety. Be aware of any directional signage in the area. 

 

Parking Restrictions:

Parking restrictions will be posted on Friday, August 16, 24-hours in advance. Residents are encouraged to pay attention to posted signage detailing parking restrictions.  

 

Parking Restrictions for the United Center (subject to change) 

  • Lake St. from Ashland to Damen, daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. south side of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22  
  • Maypole Ave from Hermitage to Damen, daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, both sides of the street, from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22  
  • Jackson Blvd from Wood to Western, continuous on both sides of the street from Saturday, August 17 to Friday, August 23. 
  • Washington Blvd from Ashland to Paulina, continuous on both sides of the street, from  Sunday, August 18 to Friday, August 23. 
  • Warren Blvd from Ashland to Paulina, continuous on both sides of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Friday, August 23. 
  • Paulina St from Washington to Lake, daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., both sides of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22. 
  • Hermitage Ave from Washington to Lake, daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., both sides of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22. 
  • Wood Ave from Washington to Lake, daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., both sides of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22. 
  • Wolcott Ave from Washington to Lake, daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., both sides of the street from Sunday, August 18 to Thursday, August 22. 

 

Parking Restrictions for McCormick Place (subject to change) 

  • 18th St from Michigan Ave to Prairie Ave daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • Cullerton St from Michigan Ave to Calumet Ave daily from 8 a.m. 10 p.m. and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • 21st St from Michigan Ave to Calumet Ave daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • Cermak Rd from Michigan Ave to Calumet Ave continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • 23rd St from Wabash Ave to Indiana Ave continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • 24th St from Wabash Ave to Indiana Ave continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • 24th Place from Wabash Ave to Indiana Ave continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • Calumet Ave from 18th St. to 200 feet south of 18th St. daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • MLK Dr. from 22nd St. to 25th St. continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • Prairie Ave. from 20th St. to 22nd St. continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • Indiana Ave. from 18th St. to 25th St. continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25. 
  • Michigan Ave. from 21st St. to 25th St. continuous and currently in effect until Sunday, August 25.

 

Street Closures for the United Center Restricted Perimeter  

Streets will close to local traffic only at 10 p.m. on Thursday, August 15 at 10 p.m. This includes Lake to Jackson and Western to Ashland and Ogden; with hard closures between Hoyne to Paulina and Lake to Adams.  

 

Reroutes:

  • Around the United Center, there will be a detour to get around the closures beginning on Ashland Avenue to Harrison Street to Western to Grand Avenue to Ashland Avenue. 
  • Be prepared for intermittent closures of streets in the area due to marches.

 

Rideshare & Taxis:

  •  Any vehicle, including rideshares, taxis, limos, etc., can enter the yellow zone to get to a hotel or residence, but they must go through the checkpoint first. 
  • A rideshare and taxi pick and drop-off for McCormick Place is located at Wabash between 23rd and 24th St.
  • A rideshare and taxi pick and drop-off for the United Center is located at Madison and Paulina.
  • People utilizing these designated areas do not have to go through a checkpoint and the rider can walk into the yellow zone, but will be checked if they need to walk into the red zone.
  • The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will post the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) traffic management directives for Transportation Network Provider (TNP/ ride-hail) drivers on the BACP Public Vehicles webpage of Chicago.gov/PublicVehicles.