CHICAGO: With many festivals, concerts, and athletic events this weekend, the City of Chicago is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds, increased traffic and to plan accordingly.  The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is reminding residents and visitors of security measures in place and stresses the importance of always being aware of your surroundings and to report suspicious activity to on-site event security or by calling 9-1-1.

 

The City of Chicago will have citywide deployments for the weekend to ensure the safety and security of the public.  The OEMC will also coordinate security efforts and resources amongst the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department and City of Chicago infrastructure departments, city agencies and private partners

To amplify our efforts to protect residents and communities citywide, OEMC and the Chicago Police Department activated the Summer Operations Center (SOC) each weekend through Labor Day. The SOC provides strategic oversight and coordinated citywide deployment of public safety personnel and assets to enhance our ongoing collaborative efforts around crime and violence reduction.

 

Report Suspicious Activity:  If you See Something Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. 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. City of Chicago :: If You See Something, Say Something

The free German festival celebrates the arrival of spring and takes place in Lincoln Square, 4521 N. Lincoln Avenue. For details, visit MaifestChicago.com.

 

For details, visit mlb.com/cubs/

 

The Weeknd After Hours Til Dawn Tour. Show starts at 7 p.m. For additional information, visit

SoldierField.com/events.

 

The West Town music festival is located on Division Street between Damen and Leavitt. For details, visit

 

Located in at 4000 N. Milwaukee Ave in the Portage Park neighborhood. For details, visit chicagoevents.com/event/windy-city-hot-dog-fest/

 

The 5K run and 3K walk at Montrose Harbor to raise funds and search for a cure to leukemia. For details

 

Beginning on Memorial Day weekend, Navy Pier will present a fireworks show each Wednesday and Saturday through August 30. Wednesday shows begin at 9 p.m. and Saturday shows begin at 10 p.m. For additional details, visit NavyPier.org/summer-fireworks

 

The 13.1-mile course will start and finish in Garfield Park and travel through Humboldt and Douglass Parks while traversing the neighborhoods that line the boulevards connecting all three parks. Parking is limited near the start and finish lines in Garfield Park. A shuttle service and parking will be available for free at the Halsted/Taylor Parking Structure (760 W. Taylor Street and 763 W. Polk Street), located on the campus of University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). For complete details of all street closure dates and openings along with a course map please see 2025-Bank-of-America-Chicago-13.1-Street-Closure-Brochure.pdf

The Ride will leave United Center, Lot C (Lot C is just North of the United Center and is accessible from Warren Boulevard). The ride travels along the Boulevards to the Gold Star Families Memorial and park. cpdmemorial.org/events/ride-to-remember/#

 

Saturday, May 24 at 10 p.m.

Beginning on Memorial Day weekend, Navy Pier will present a fireworks show each Wednesday and Saturday through August 30. Wednesday shows begin at 9 p.m. and Saturday shows begin at 10 p.m. For additional details, visit NavyPier.org/summer-fireworks

On Saturday, May 31 at 8 a.m. bridges are raised one at a time, with each bridge lift taking an average of 8-12 minutes. A total of 27 bridges will be lifted in succession from the Ashland Avenue Bridge on the South Branch to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: Grant Park and Lakefront Poles Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, residents are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area, along various points on the lakefront path and on DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 5700 North to 6600 South to help them reference their location along the lakefront and within the park if you call 9-1-1 in an emergency. OEMC call takers and dispatchers will be able to provide the location for first responders. They can also be used between friends and family members as meeting point if you become separated. For details click HERE.

Public Transportation: As with all busy weekends and large–scale events citywide public transportation is encouraged. Public transit is the most affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to get to and from summertime events. For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com.

 

Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible reroutes. There will be some street closures in effect for larger events to ensure public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at select events citywide to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. Residents and motorists should be aware of the following large events:

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

 

City of Chicago beaches are open for the Summer and the Chicago Park District urges patrons to enjoy the beaches safely and responsibly and look for “No Swimming Allowed” signage that indicates that swimming is not sanctioned in that area. Visitors should consult the district’s website or social media platforms to ensure water conditions are safe for swimming before heading out to the beach and only enter the water when a lifeguard is on duty. Swim hours are 11am to 7pm, daily, through Labor Day. Swimming anywhere else along the lakefront is not permitted. For details and information on a beach near you, visit ChicagoParkDistrict.com. For safety while at the beach, a safety message from Marvel’s Ironheart.

• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3