CHICAGO: The City of Chicago is working with partners to reopen the area around the United Center and McCormick Place as the convention concludes on Thursday, August 22. The security infrastructure will be removed as quickly as possible, and residents should expect temporary street impacts due to structure removal in and around the secure areas. It is anticipated that removal of United Center and McCormick Place security infrastructure will begin in the early morning hours of August 23. 

McCormick Place Perimeter Reopening Timeline  

(all times subject to change)  

Thursday, August 22 

• 6 p.m. Perimeter take-down set to begin.  

Friday, August 23 

• 3 p.m. All major intersections cleared. I-55 off-ramp will be open. 

Sunday, August 25 

• 6 a.m. – Cermak from Michigan to Indiana will be clear.  

• 8 a.m. – All area open and 75% of assets cleared off curbs. 

Monday, August 26 

• 6 a.m. – 100% of assets removed – area completely reopened. 

United Center Perimeter Reopening Timeline  

(all times subject to change)  

Friday, August 23 

• 1 a.m. – Takedown to begin (subject to change) 

Saturday, August 24 

• Noon – Damen, Wood, and Adams open (if possible) 

• Most major intersections cleared for traffic. 

Sunday, August 25  

• 11:59 p.m. – All areas open & 75% of assets cleared off curbs 

Monday, August 26  

• 11:59 p.m. – All assets removed, reopen complete. 

Community Impacts 

• Access to Henry Horner Homes will continue to be through the parking lot off Paulina the same way they have come in over the DNC. Access to their area prior to the DNC will be available as of 23:59 Sunday August 25. 

• Churches on Washington Blvd and on Damen will be accessible as usual by 6 a.m. Sunday August 25.  

• The priority will be to open the Vehicle Check Point:  

• At Damen & Jackson for regular traffic, at the same time Damen & Michigan at Warren, Washington, and Damen. 

• East access during strike will be open at Madison & Paulina.  

• South access will be open at Damen & Jackson 

Motorists in the areas around McCormick Place and the United Center during the breakdown should be prepared for possible lane closures to ensure public safety.  

Emergency Alerts for Residents and Businesses  

OEMC will continue to monitor events and weather 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:   

• DNC 2024 Alert: To opt in, TEXT “DNC” to 2-2-6-7-8-7 

• 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