CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field for the home opener on Monday, April 1^st, against the Colorado Rockies at 1:20 p.m. The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is reminding fans, residents and businesses to expect increased crowds, traffic impacts and parking restrictions in the area and, as always, to report suspicious activity to 9-1-1. The city has planned and prepared for Opening Day and the baseball season so everyone can enjoy another baseball season safely.

Every baseball season, OEMC and city departments and agencies work collaboratively with the 44^th Ward Alderman Bennett Lawson, Chicago Cubs and the community to coordinate city services and plans to enhance public safety around the ballpark. Fans and those in the area are urged to respect the surrounding neighborhood and businesses and adhere to parking restrictions, designated drop-off/pick-up areas and public safety guidelines. OEMC reminds fans to remain vigilant in crowds and to be aware of surroundings at all times in and around the ballpark. 

Gates open two hours prior to first pitch on Opening Day. Pedestrians should also be mindful to keep sidewalks passable and yield to emergency vehicles. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to allow enough time for security screenings. Find more information about the screening process at Wrigley Field at Cubs.com/Security.

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 between 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. 
• ADA drop-off / pick-up is on the east curb of Clark St. (Patterson St. to Waveland Ave.). Access for ADA vehicles will be coordinated via Racine Ave. and Patterson St. during Cark St. closure
• Pedicabs stage at Cornelia Ave. and Clark St. or on Addison St. north curb when Addison is closed to eastbound traffic.

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

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

• 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 beginning two hours before first pitch and run approximately one hour after the end of the game. Fans will be picked up and dropped off 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 service begins three hours before the start of the game and ends one hour after games/events. In addition, there are bike racks located around the ballpark as well. 
• Cubs Hotline 
• The home game day 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 social media (@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 

Those traveling to the games are urged to utilize public transportation. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers lots of options for getting to the game and extra service on Opening Day and 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, 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. 

STOP THE BLEED® Safe Chicago Kits

Safe Chicago STOP THE BLEED® kits are located throughout Wrigley Field for safety of fans, staff and players in case of a bleeding emergency. These trauma kits at Wrigley Field were installed in partnership with the Cubs, and the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), as part of OEMC’s  Safe Chicago initiative, to install American College of Surgeons STOP THE BLEED® kits.  Every kit installed includes a sticker with a QR code that links to an online version of the STOP THE BLEED® course. 

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.  The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit Chicago.gov/OEMC

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  
• CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3  

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