UPDATE: More street closures in Chicago's Gold Coast are also in effect due to the DNC. Our updated story and full list of closures for this week can be found here. Our original story continues below.
A slate of street closures in preparation of next week's 2024 Democratic National Convention took effect Saturday night.
Among the major closures is the shutdown of the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Exit from the Interstate 55 northbound lanes, inclusive of the I-55 turnaround lane, will be closed to all vehicles except those authorized by the U.S. Secret Service.
With most major DNC events taking place at the United Center, many of the closures are in Chicago's Near West Side neighborhood, though closures are also in effect near the McCormick Place, where other events will be held.
The following closures began as of 7 p.m. Saturday:
- Madison Street from North Hoyne Avenue to North Paulina Street
- Damen Avenue from West Lake Street to West Van Buren
- Adams Street from South Damen Avenue to Paulina Street
- Washington Street from North Damen Avenue to North Wood Street
- Indiana Avenue from 18th to East 24th Place
- Michigan Avenue from 21st to 25th streets
- Cermak Road from Wabash Avenue to MLK Jr. Drive
- 23rd Street from Wabash to Indiana avenues
- Prairie Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
- 24th Street from Wabash to Indiana avenues
- Calumet Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
- 24th Place from Wabash Avenue to MLK Jr. Drive
- MLK Jr. Drive from Cermak Road to 25th Street
- East 21st Street closed from, and inclusive of, South Michigan Avenue to South Calumet Avenue. Note: East 21st Street will be open from west of South Michigan Avenue to inclusive of South Wabash Avenue and East 21st Street.
No trucks or vehicles larger than passenger cars permitted on I-55 between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and South State Street in both directions.
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As for the traffic impact near McCormick Place, two vehicle security screening checkpoints in the area went into effect Friday night.
One of the checkpoints is at South Indiana Avenue and 18th Street, while the other is near Wabash Avenue and Cermak Road.
