The Chicago Loop is periodically affected by construction work, public events, filmmaking, and other projects. Stay up to date on current advisories, and view the latest updates.
Last updated ON October 18 at 4:03 p.M.
POTENTIAL TRAFFIC IMPACTS
Protests and Street Closures
Saturday, October 19 (6-8 p.m.)
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
This Halloween parade will close down State Street from Lake to Van Buren.
Sunday, October 20 (1 p.m.)
Downtown Chicago Trump Parade
This car caravan will start at the Shedd Aquarium - 1200 S. LSD and proceed to the following locations:
- Mag Mile - North Michigan Ave.
- Riverwalk
- Daley Plaza Picasso - 50 W. Washington
- Millennium Park Bean - 201 E Randolph
- Buckingham Fountain - 301 S. Columbus Dr.
- Maggie Daley Park - 337 E. Randolph
- Trump Tower - 401 N. Wabash
Wednesday, October 23 (2 p.m.)
Shut Down the Line 5 Oil Pipeline
This gathering will take place at Two Prudential Plaza, Canadian Consulate - 180 N. Stetson.
Sunday, October 27 (2-5 p.m.)
Stand for Christ march
This group will march from approximately 300 N. Michigan to Ida B. Wells/Michigan.
Friday, November 1 (11:30 a.m.)
Rally for El!
This rally will take place at Federal Plaza - 230 S. Dearborn Street.
Sunday, November 3 (6 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Hot Chocolate 5, 10, 15K Run and 2-mile Walk
Various street closures and access points will be in effect. View all closures here. The full course map can be viewed here.
CDOT, the Alderman’s office, and Chicago Loop Alliance are committed to keeping stakeholders as informed as possible as advance relocations by utility companies continues. Work status updates are below. If your business or building’s utility service(s) are affected by the ongoing work, the utility company will contact you directly. All dates and durations listed below are approximate, weather dependent, and subject to change.
ComEd (electricity):
- Work on Lake St between State St and west of Harold Washington College is underway and is targeted for completion around the end of October. If work extends past the Chicago Marathon, ComEd’s contractor will restore the worksite in advance and restart following the event. When this work is underway, Lake St will be closed to vehicular traffic between State St and Wabash Ave approximately 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Saturday (this timing is under discussion and hours may expand in an effort to finish the work sooner), as the new ComEd line is directly under the center of the roadway and there is not a safe means to maintain traffic while excavation is open. The roadway will reopen each evening with steel plates covering the excavation and closed the following morning. CTA bus routes 146 and 148 will be re-routed during this time period as well; CTA will issue communication via their website and posted signs.
- Work on the north side of Lake St in front of Harold Washington College to repair the sidewalk was completed. A temporary ADA ramp was installed. Repairs to heated portions of the sidewalk are being scheduled – expected to be sometime in September - but the dates are not yet set.
Western Utility (telecoms):
- Western Utility (telecoms) work on Lake St between Dearborn St and State St is expected to start and finish during the last week of September. This work will be in the south lane and south parking lane, and is being delayed until after the above ComEd work starts to ensure the traffic patterns for vehicles and pedestrians can be coordinated with ComEd’s closures on the block to the east.
Peoples Gas (natural gas) and CenTrio (chilled water) work is complete.
Work Hours
ComEd and Western Utility will generally be working daytime hours. Daytime hours are typically 9:00-4:00 M-F and 8:00-8:00 Sat. Utility companies are aware of and required to abide by the Chicago noise ordinance, which limits noisy work in overnight hours.
Bridge Lifts
During these boat runs, the bridges are typically raised one at a time, with each bridge lift taking an average of 8-12 minutes. While the bridge is in the upright position, traffic is halted, and drivers may use alternate streets or wait until the bridge is lowered. The streets affected by the bridge lifts in the Loop are:
- DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
- Columbus Dr.
- Michigan Ave.
- Wabash Ave.
- State St.
- Dearborn St.
- Clark St.
- La Salle St.
- Wells St.
- Franklin St.
- Lake St.
- Randolph St.
- Washington St.
- Madison St.
- Monroe St.
- Adams St.
- Jackson Blvd.
- Van Buren St.
- Ida B. Wells Dr.
The Fall 2024 bridge lift schedule is as follows:
- Saturday, October 19 at 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, October 23 at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, October 26 at 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, October 30 at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, November 2 at 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, November 6 at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, November 9 at 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, November 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Helpful Tips:
Chicago Loop Alliance encourages everyone to be aware of standard security procedures. Loop stakeholders are urged to take the following precautions:
- Get alerts from Notify Chicago on various emergency and non-emergency situations in your area.
- The city reminds the public to remain aware and cautious. CPD has provided tips on how to prevent becoming a carjacking victim.
- Consider an optional tool for business owners to assist CPD with chronic trespassing issues. To enroll in the program, please find helpful Trespass Affidavit Program forms here.
- Learn more about the city’s Home and Business Protection Program to aid in the protection and safety of the city here. You can also join the OEMC network of Private Sector Camera Initiative here.
- 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.
- Sign up for Smart911 to help first responders rapidly assist in the case of an emergency.
- Pay attention to the entrance of your business, and consider your current security measures.
- Make sure Chicago Loop Alliance has current contact information for your business by emailing info@chicagoloopalliance.com with full contact information. Watch for emails from CLA containing security or other pertinent information.
Film Notices
There are currently no film advisories.
Social Services
Need help and don't know where to turn?
2-1-1 hotline:
You can now talk to a local navigator by calling 2-1-1, texting your zip code to 898211, or by visiting 211MetroChicago.org. This service is free, fast, local, confidential, and available 24/7.
211 Metro Chicago connects you to the help you need such as:
- Childcare
- Employment
- Housing
- Food Assistance
- And much more!
9-8-8 Crisis Hotline:
As of July 16, 2022, all phone companies and text messaging providers are required to route all 9-8-8 calls and text messages to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. To learn more, visit www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.
COVID-19
Latest data
Chicago Loop Alliance recommends consulting the following websites for the most up to date information regarding the virus:
- City of Chicago Department of Public Health COVID-19
- Centers for Disease Control COVID-19
- World Health Organization COVID-19
Sign up for emergency alert system for businesses
The city of Chicago is rolling out a new program to provide emergency alerts to businesses. Local business owners can text "CHIBIZ" to 67283 or visit chicago.gov/chibizalerts to opt in to get the alerts. Businesses will be asked to submit some details specific to their business so that the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and the Office of Emergency Management and Communication can send targeted alerts to specific areas of the city, as needed.
