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 Special Newsletter: Important Public Safety Information |
| Working with area police and addressing concerns of crime and safety continues to be the top priority of my office in each 2nd Ward neighborhood and the commercial corridors. Today, city officials announced an emergency public safety plan that will include an increased police presence this weekend, as well as a rapid response tactical strategy going forward that will quickly deploy officers to targeted areas should another incident occur. The Chicago Police Department is also permanently adding an additional 20 officers who will monitor social media around the clock. My office continues to work with surrounding police districts to make sure that neighborhood deployment is balanced and consistent across the West Town, Lincoln Park, and Old Town community zones. Additionally, below is important information pertaining to continued access restrictions to the downtown area, protests occurring this weekend, and how you can help the Chicago Police Department continue to investigate the August 9 looting incidents. Please feel free to contact the 2nd Ward Service office at (312) 643-2299 or [email protected] with further questions. Downtown Access Restrictions Through August 17 Restricted overnight access to the downtown area will continue through the weekend. Restricted access will be in place from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am each night, ending at 6:00 am on Monday, August 17. The restricted access to the downtown area is not a curfew. Businesses are not required to close, and taxi and ride-hail service can continue to operate. Residents and workers will have access to the downtown area during the restricted access period through the following access points: Harrison Street Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street Roosevelt Road and Canal Street Kinzie Street and Halsted Street LaSalle Street Entrance into the perimeter will be manned by officers with the Chicago Police Department. When arriving at the access points, residents and employees should show identification or proof that they live and/or work in the area. Please note the below restrictions and closures as well: Bridges All bridges will be up by 9:00 p.m. with the exception of the following: LaSalle Street Harrison Street Ida B. Wells / Congress Bridge (Westbound open only) Lake Shore Drive Columbus Avenue Kinzie Street Grand Avenue Road and Expressway Closures Lake Shore Drive will be closed between Belmont Avenue (inbound closed and outbound open) and Fullerton Avenue (inbound and outbound closed) on the North and I-55 on the South. All entrance and exit expressway ramps leading to I-90/94 between Roosevelt Road and Division Street will be closed in both directions, including the I-55 Chinatown Feeder northbound at Cermak and I-290 eastbound at Halsted. Transportation Rail Service will be impacted at the following locations, with trains not entering the area surrounding downtown: Fullerton Avenue to 47th Street, and east of Halsted Street Bus Service will remain open at this time. Some buses will see reroutes due to bridge and street closures Divvy Service will not be available from North Avenue to Ashland Avenue and Cermak Road between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am Protests This Weekend The 2nd Ward Office has been informed of protests taking place this weekend. Please plan for extra travel time, or find an alternative route, if you plan to travel through any areas near the protest sites. Please note that protests, as long as they are peaceful, are considered to be protected under the First Amendment and do not require aldermanic approval. Both the Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police are in contact with protest organizers, and will be on scene for the duration of these protests. “BLM March & Rally: 75 Women of Color Murdered Memorial” Friday, August 14 at 5:00 pm Participants will assemble at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington Street). “A Protest Leading up to the Dan Ryan Shutdown” Saturday, August 15 at 12:00 pm Begins at Robert Taylor Park in Bronzeville, with participants walking the following route: Westbound on 47th Street to the Dan Ryan Expressway, entering the Dan Ryan via the ramp Northbound to the 43rd Street exit ramp, at which time marchers will exit the Dan Ryan Eastbound on 43rd Street to Indiana Avenue, then north on Indiana Avenue to 31st Street West on 31st Street to S. Michigan Avenue, then north on S. Michigan Avenue to E. Roosevelt Road “Protest at The Bean” Saturday, August 15 at 4:00 pm Participants will assemble at the Cloud Gate sculpture (“The Bean”) in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph Street). Help CPD’s Investigation Into the August 9 Lootings The Chicago Police Department has made over 100 arrests related to the August 9 looting incidents so far, and is seeking help from the business community and community members as they continue their investigation. I encourage anyone who has videos, photos, or other information on recent looting incidents to email the Looting Task Force at [email protected], or submit an anonymous tip to CPDtip.com. |
August 14th message from Ald. Hopkins
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