With all eyes on Chicago for the upcoming Democratic National Convention, the United States Secret Service and law enforcement officers are finalizing safety measures for those who live in the city and the 500,000 estimated to visit it.
Most of the impacted areas will surround McCormick Place and the United Center, where the convention’s main events will be held, officials said at a July news conference about safety planning.
McCormick Place’s West Building will be shut down to anyone without DNC credentials starting at 10 p.m. on Aug. 16 to the early hours of Aug. 23. A portion of East 24th Street and East 24th Place will also be shut down, along with part of West Cermak Road and South Indiana Avenue. No vehicles larger than passenger cars will be allowed on the stretch of the Stevenson Expressway just south of McCormick Place.
Nearly two square blocks on every side of the United Center will also be closed to those without credentials from 7 p.m. Aug. 17.
Businesses within this area have been reserved for use by DNC attendees and volunteers.
A wider area outside both locations is open to pedestrians, but streets will be closed and vehicles are required to undergo a screening process to enter.
Security barriers and fencing will likely go up around McCormick Place and the United Center before the dates that they’re closed to the public. There will also be lane disruptions and limited access to sidewalks, plus parking restrictions that will be posted in advance.
Chicago Transit Authority buses will operate normally. But those with routes through the restricted vehicle zone will have to undergo security screening measures. The same will go for food and package deliveries, plus taxis and ride shares.
“We ask the citizens for their patience and their grace while we work to ensure their safety,” said Jeff Burnside, the Secret Service’s DNC coordinator.
In addition to expecting delays and allowing extra travel time, officials request that locals consider alternate routes and use public transportation, if they can.
How will the DNC affect the rest of the city’s safety?
While the Secret Service is responsible for safety measures inside the DNC’s footprint, Chicago police have jurisdiction over everywhere else in the city.
“This is not just about the Democratic National Convention,” said Larry Snelling, superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. “The Chicago Police Department has an obligation to the entire city of Chicago, every single neighborhood.”
Snelling said the Chicago Police Department started training for the DNC over a year ago. The Secret Service and local law enforcement will have one final training, days before the first delegates arrive.
One of the biggest things Chicago police have been preparing is procedures for planned and impromptu demonstrations.
The city is expecting protests during the convention, and has even gone to federal court against groups that are planning to demonstrate, but have had their permits denied.
“All of our training is rooted in the First and Fourth Amendments,” Snelling said. While he said police respect the right to protest, they will not tolerate violence or vandalism.
Out of more than 80 protests over the last year, “we have not seen any major, major incidents when officers are engaged with those who are out protesting,” Snelling added, a success he chalks up to communicating with protesting groups about their expectations, and sharing those from the police.
Chicago officials have dealt with large crowds in past years, whether they’re participating in protests or are on a larger scale, like the DNC. Mayor Brandon Johnson mentions the NATO summit in 2012 and the city’s NASCAR races.
“We are no stranger to hosting large-scale events,” Johnson said. “Whether you want to exercise your First Amendment, visit the convention, or just simply continue to live and work in Chicago like you normally do, you will be protected and served throughout this convention.”
As Chicago gears up for another big convening, officials say the public will play a vital role in the safety of the city.
According to Lucas Rothaar, acting special agent-in-charge of the Chicago field office of the FBI, the FBI receives tens of thousands of tips a year, all of which are reviewed and prioritized.
“These tips from the public help us to identify threats before they become a crisis,” Rothaar said. “There is no such thing as something too insignificant to report.”
If you see something suspicious or threatening online or in-person, call 911 or 1-800-CALL FBI.
In the less than a month before the convention, city departments and federal agencies will continue to canvas the areas around McCormick Place and the United Center to answer any questions residents and businesses have.
Maps of closed streets are available at www.Chicago.gov/OEMC. If there is a critical situation in the area, people will be notified through the Chicago OEMC app. They can also text DNC to 226787 for text alerts.
The convention is scheduled for Aug. 19 to 22.