{"id":221364,"date":"2025-09-12T16:59:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T16:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/221364\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T16:59:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T16:59:10","slug":"chicago-officials-warn-of-heightened-traffic-downtown-street-closures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/221364\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago officials warn of heightened traffic downtown, street closures"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chicago\u2019s Office of Emergency Management and Communications warned of heightened traffic downtown this weekend as the city prepares to celebrate Mexican Independence Day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The city said multiple events and parades will begin Friday and continue through Tuesday, including Mexican Independence Day parades in the Little Village neighborhood and on Commercial Avenue on Sunday. Other large events<\/a> include the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts on Saturday and Sunday, and Lady Gaga concerts at the United Center next week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As the threat of an immigration crackdown has escalated<\/a> under President Donald Trump\u2019s \u201cOperation Midway Blitz,\u201d the fate of the city\u2019s large and culturally significant Mexican Independence Day celebrations seem to be in flux<\/a>. The downtown festival, El Grito Chicago, was postponed<\/a>, but the Pilsen parade carried on last weekend<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Organizers for the Little Village parade, which kicks off at noon on Sunday from the historic Little Village Arch located on 26th Street and Albany Avenue, also vowed to go on as planned<\/a>. It will have additional security, immigration lawyers and a rapid response team for immigration rights, organizers said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an act of pride, an act of resistance during these times,\u201d said Jennifer Aguilar<\/a>, executive director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. \u201cFor me, it\u2019s personal to move forward with the parade and to still let us have joy despite everything that is going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The city cautioned that residents driving downtown this weekend should plan for increased traffic and allow extra travel time. In \u201cextreme circumstances,\u201d the city could implement street closures, in which case residents who live or work in the impacted area may be asked to show their driver\u2019s license or Employee ID at an access point, the office said in a news release.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For those driving downtown to attend an event or have reservations in an impacted area, they would be asked to show proof of their reservation, such as a ticket or electronic confirmation, the office said. These limitations wouldn\u2019t apply to pedestrians, however, the office said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The following locations will serve as access points:\u00a0<\/p>\n