Another busy weekend in Chicago with the Chicago Bears home opener and the Taste of Chicago as well festivals and parades happening throughout the city. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds, increased traffic and to plan accordingly.  

 

This weekend, the City of Chicago will have citywide deployments to ensure the safety and security of the public. The OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and will coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders as needed. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at select events citywide to direct flow and impacts from increased traffic. 

 

Report Suspicious Activity:  If You See Something, Say Something™ OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity – especially in large gatherings. 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. “lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and personal grievances continue to pose a persistent threat to the United States.” 

For safety and preparedness at your fingertips, residents and festival goers are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar, and other weather-related information as well. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website, Chicago.gov/OEMC. 

 

Returning to its Grant Park home near Buckingham Fountain for 2023, Taste of Chicago will once again showcase the vibrant diversity of the City of Chicago’s culinary offerings alongside world-class musical performances, drawing visitors from across the country and around the globe. For additional details, visit TasteofChicago.us. 

 

Street closures are in place and will reopen on Monday, September 9 by 4 p.m.

Located on Halsted Street in the heart of Greektown. Halsted will be closed from Van Buren to Adams. For event details, visit  chicagoevents.com

Friday, September 6, 4 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 7, 10 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 8, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Held in Gladstone Park at 6000 N. Milwaukee Ave with the main entrance at Milwaukee Ave and Elston Ave. For details, visit throwbackmusicfest.com. Street closures in effect include:

The Run Mag Mile 5K and 10K is a race to highlight the beauty of Michigan Ave and the Lakefront. With 5k and 10k distances, this race will shut down the Magnificent Mile. 2024 Course Map. Both 5K and 10K runners will start at 7 a.m. on Ida B. Wells and finish on Columbus Drive, just North of Buckingham Fountain. For race details, visit RunMagMile.com. 

 

The parade steps off at noon and proceeds along 18th Street from Newberry to Wolcott.  

The parade steps off at 2 p.m.at Lincoln Ave. from Warner Ave to Sunnyside Ave, with assembly on Lincoln Ave from Irving Park Road to Warner and will disband on Sunnyside Ave from Lincoln to Hamilton Ave. For additional details, visit germanday.com/event/steuben-parade.

Located in Lincoln Square, at the corner of Lincoln and Western, the Oktoberfest parade is at 2 p.m. from Irving Park Rd., north to Eastwood, west to Western and north to Lawrence.  Chicago German-American Oktoberfest Sept 8-9-10, 2023 | German Day Events

Bears Home Opener / Soldier Field   

The Chicago Bears take on the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field for their first home game of the 2024 season at noon on Saturday. Parking lots open at 8 a.m. and gates open at 10 a.m. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand to facilitate traffic. For game and details on Soldier Field, visit SoldierField.com.

For complete details before heading out, visit mlb.com/cubs/ballpark 

 

Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, event and concert attendees are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area and lakefront to help reference their location within the park if you call 9-1-1 in an emergency. 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers will be able to provide the location to first responders. They can also be used between friends and family members as a meeting point if you become separated. For complete details, click Chicago.gov/OEMC/Pole Marking/Location Identifiers.

 

Public Transportation: As for any large–scale event, public transportation is encouraged, and both CTA and Metra will provide additional service for the event. For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com.

Weather and Public Safety:  OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. Residents are encouraged to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date information, please tune into local media or download a weather app. 

 

OEMC issues alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.  

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