As baseball season returns, the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), along with 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney, the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the Chicago Cubs, and city agencies remind fans and residents around Wrigley Field to be aware of the increased activity and traffic in the area as well as restrictions and security measures in place throughout the baseball season.   

Residents and fans should also be aware of the change this year regarding LV2 permit parking restrictions, which are now in effect this season for all Wrigley Field games, concerts and events and not just night games.  

NOTE: Due to the Kennedy/Edens Expressway construction, motorists may experience delays and increased traffic on local area streets including Addison, Irving Park Road, Belmont and Montrose, 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/Interstate-90-Kennedy-Bridge-Study. 

“OEMC has worked closely with our public safety partners and the Chicago Cubs to ensure the baseball games and events at Wrigley Field minimize the traffic impacts and maximize public safety efforts.  To that end, we also urge the public to respect the surrounding community and adhere to parking restrictions, designated drop-off/pick up areas and public safety guidelines,” said OEMC Director Rich Guidice. “We remind fans to remain vigilant in crowds and to report any unsafe or suspicious behavior to 9-1-1 or onsite security.  We can all do our part to make the time spent in the iconic Wrigleyville neighborhood an enjoyable experience.” 

Chicago Cubs 

The Cubs play Milwaukee in their home opener at Wrigley Field on Thursday, March 30 at 1:20 p.m. The gates open two hours prior to start time on Opening Day, Saturday games and special occasions and 90 minutes prior to game time for other games. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to allow enough time for security screenings. Fans should also be mindful to keep sidewalks passable and yield to emergency vehicles. Find more information about the screening process at Cubs.com/Security 

“The start of baseball and event season is very a busy time in our neighborhood,” said 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney. “We want to ensure that our community is safe and vibrant throughout the season and ask residents and visitors to act accordingly. I urge Cubs fans to utilize public transportation. The CTA will have increased service on all train and bus routes during and after all Cubs home games.” 

Rideshare (Taxis, Limos, Uber, Lyft) for all Home Games/Events: 

Fans traveling to Wrigley Field throughout the season for all home games, as well as concerts and events, using rideshare will be dropped off/picked up in designated areas.   

Pick-up and drop-off will be on: 

• Addison St, between Broadway and Halsted Street 
• Irving Park Rd, Clark Street and Seminary Avenue 
• Restrictions begin two hours before the start of the game and will continue through the game and end one hour after the conclusion of the game 

Traffic Plan:  

• Truck access will be restricted 90 minutes before the game and until pedestrian flow is reduced to normal operations.  
• Street closures in the area may be implemented to ensure public safety. 
• 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. 
• To assist with increased traffic and activity at the ballpark, the Traffic Management Authority (TMA) will deploy Traffic Control Aides (TCA’s) on game days.  

Parking

• New this year, LV2 permit parking restrictions are in effect for all games, concerts and events at Wrigley Field, not just night games.  Restrictions will be in effect from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Those seeking street parking around Wrigley Field should be cognizant of the LV2 permit parking and read signage before parking.  
• Parking restrictions will be strictly enforced. If your vehicle is towed, call 3-1-1 City Services to obtain assistance in locating your vehicle. 
• For Opening Day, night and weekend games, take advantage of the free remote parking lot at 3900 N. Rockwell Street, accessed from Irving Park Road.  Free shuttles go to and from Wrigley Field with service two hours before the game starts and one hour after.  Drop off is on Irving Park Road between Clark Street and Seminary Avenue. 
• The Cubs offer free bicycle valet service, located just east of the main entrance to the CTA Red Line stop on Addison Street for Cubs games and concerts at Wrigley Field. The bike check begins three hours before and one hour after games/events. In addition, there are bike racks located around the ballpark as well. 

Cubs Hotline 

• The home gameday hotline number, 866-4-CPD-TOW, is operational before, during and after games.  
• The hotline is operated by the Chicago Police Department to assist neighborhood residents with non-emergency issues relating to Wrigley Field during Cubs home games.  
• For all emergencies, call 9-1-1. 

Fans can follow the Cubs on Facebook and Twitter (@Cubs) for the latest information and updates. 

Alcohol, Peddling and Parking Enforcement 

Throughout the season, the Chicago Police Department stresses the strict enforcement of public intoxication ordinances and DUI laws, as well as 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. The Chicago Police will have an increased presence around Wrigley Field to ensure public safety on game days.   

Public Transportation 

Public transportation is recommended. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers lots of options for getting to the game and extra service on opening game days. For CTA Train and Bus information, visit www.transitchicago.com.  

Report Suspicious Activity - If You See Something, Say Something 

As always, OEMC encourages attendees, ballpark employees, fans as well as residents to always be aware of surroundings and report any suspicious activity to onsite security or by calling 9-1-1. 

Chicago OEMC App 

Downloading the Chicago OEMC app is a great way to get emergency alerts, check CTA Tracker information, monitor game day weather reports and radar, see street closures for events and even share your walk with a friend through CHI Safe Walk - all in one place.  Chicago Cubs fans and residents are encouraged to get the new Chicago OEMC App as a public safety tool providing Safe Chicago information, preparedness tips and more in the palm of your hand. The app is now available through the Apple App and Google Play stores. To immediately download, click HEREor visit the website Chicago.gov/oemc.   

STOP THE BLEED® and Safe Chicago 

In a first for Major League Baseball, the Chicago Cubs have taken an important step to keep fans, staff, and players safe in case a bleeding emergency occurs by installing trauma kits at Wrigley Field. During the offseason, the Cubs worked with the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), as part of their Safe Chicago initiative, to install American College of Surgeons STOP THE BLEED® kits around Wrigley Field and train ballpark staff and Cubs associates on how to respond if someone is bleeding from an injury. Every kit installed includes a sticker with a QR code that links to an online version of the STOP THE BLEED® course. 

Emergency Alerts for Residents and Businesses 

OEMC will monitor the events and weather throughout the season and will issue any emergency alerts and notifications as necessary.  Get alerts and notifications from OEMC to keep residents and businesses up to date on weather and traffic conditions as well as emergencies:  

• Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at notifychicago.org   
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5  
• COVID: Get COVID-19 updates by TEXTING “COVID19” to 6-7-2-8-3  
• CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3  

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit our website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook, Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911) using the hashtags #ChicagoOEMC #Smart911 #Chicago911 #BeSafeChicago.    

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