From The Chicago Office Of Emergency Management And Communications

In Advance of the July 4^th Holiday, NASCAR Chicago Street Race and Other Events Citywide OEMC Provides Safety Tips and Reminds Residents and Visitors to Stay Vigilant and Report Suspicious Activity by Calling 9-1-1 

The City of Chicago will mark the 4^th of July holiday with fireworks at Navy Pier on Wednesday, July 3 at 9 p.m. as well as multiple festivals, Cubs games, parades and more. The holiday will be followed by the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in Grant Park on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is advising residents, to stay vigilant and celebrate the holiday safely and responsibly.

The City of Chicago will have citywide deployments over the July 4^th Holiday to ensure the safety and security of the public. OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders.

OEMC will also activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the Independence Day holiday and the NASCAR Chicago Street. The Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department will have additional special event resources deployed for the race which will ensure no degradation to response and mitigation resources across all city neighborhoods. 

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.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC app. The app is a great tool to receive alerts, safety tips, the weather forecast,  street closures, event information and more. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC

Fireworks Ban and Safety

The Chicago Fire Department wants to remind everyone that  fireworks are banned statewide, and that the City of Chicago also bans sparklers and bottle rockets. The injuries incurred every year range from minor burns to devastating and life-changing injuries that include loss of fingers, damage to eyes, and fatalities. The Chicago Fire Department is prepared with enough resources to respond to any emergency. Residents and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the many fireworks shows put on by venues such as Navy Pier and countless professional displays in the area. Leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Chicago Beach Safety

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. 

Pole 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 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 to first responders. They can also be used between friends and family members as meeting point if you become separated. For complete details click HERE.

Independence Day and Weekend Events Include:

Chicago Cubs v. Philadelphia Phillies

      Tuesday, July 2 at 7:05 p.m., Wednesday, July 3 at 7:05 p.m. and Thursday, July 4 at 1:20pm.

Chicago Cubs v. Los Angeles Angels

      Friday, July 5 at 1:20 p.m., Saturday, July 6 at 1:20 p.m. and Sunday, July 7 at 1:20 p.m.

For details visit MLB.com/Cubs

July 3^rd Fireworks at Navy Pier

To Celebrate Independence Day Navy Pier will have fireworks on Wednesday, July 3 at 9 p.m. For details visit NavyPier.org

International Festival of Life

Thursday, July 4 – Sunday, July 7 in Washington Park

The African/Caribbean festival will take place over four days from noon to 10 p.m. daily in Washington Park at 55^th Street and Cottage Grove. For details visit  InternationalFestivalofLife.com. 

4^th on 53^rd Parade – Thursday, July 4

The annual parade on Independence Day in Hyde Park steps off at 11 a.m. at 1525 E. 53^rd St. ending at Nichols Park at 1355 E. 53^rd St. for a picnic and festival. For details visit 4thon53rdParade.com.

Craft Beer Festival

Friday, July 5 – Sunday, July 7

The 11^th Annual Chicago Craft Beer Festival is locate in Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood Ave. in Lincoln Park. The festival runs July 5, 5-10 p.m.; July 6, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and July 7, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. For details visit ChooseChicago.com.

NASCAR Chicago Street Race

Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7 in Grant Park

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race brings the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series street races for the second year to Grant Park. Residents and visitors are encouraged to be mindful of the traffic impacts, as well as safety measures in place. Motorists in the areas around Grant Park and the Loop during the week leading up to and during race weekend should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible reroutes

Significant Closures leading into Race Weekend:

• Tuesday, July 2 – Beginning at 6 a.m. Closure of Congress Circle and entrances at Michigan Ave., Van Buren St. and Harrison St.
• Thursday, July 4 – Beginning at 9 p.m.Closure of westbound and eastbound Roosevelt Rd. between Michigan Ave. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Closure of northbound Michigan Ave. between Roosevelt Rd. and Jackson Dr.
• Friday, July 5 – Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Closure of northbound and southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between Randolph St. and McFetridge Rd. Closure of southbound Michigan Ave. between Roosevelt Rd. and Jackson Dr. Closure of the northbound lane of Indiana Ave. at 13^thSt. Closure on Monroe St. between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr. 

Race Weekend Street Closures – Saturday, July 6 and Sunday July 7 (Updated**)

• Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. from Randolph St. to McFetridge Dr.
• Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. from McFetridge Dr. to Randolph St.
• Northbound Michigan Ave. from Roosevelt Rd. to Jackson Dr.
• Southbound Michigan Ave. from Jackson Dr. to 8^thSt.
• Monroe St. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
• Columbus Dr. from Roosevelt Rd. to Monroe St.
• Roosevelt Rd. from DuSable Lake Shore Dr. to Michigan Ave.
• Jackson Dr. from Michigan Ave. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
• Balbo Dr. from Michigan Ave. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
• Ida B. Wells Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.
• Congress Circle from Harrison St. to Van Buren St.
• Northbound Indiana Ave. from Roosevelt Rd. to 13th St.
• Post Place: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Dr.
• Garvey Ct.: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Dr.
• Reopening Schedule: The northbound section of DuSable Lake Shore Dr. is set to reopen on Monday, July 8 at 6 a.m. and the southbound section of DuSable Lake Shore Drive is set to reopen on Tuesday, July 9 at 11 p.m.**After the event, select streets will gradually reopen.
• Priority Streets:The priority streets for reopening are DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Michigan Ave., and Columbus Dr.
• Demobilization:Street closures will remain in place until the track wall, fence, and viewing structures are demobilized. All NASCAR-related demobilization activities are expected to conclude by the end of the day on July 18th.

Residents can download the community brochure, maps, street closure information, FAQs, parking restrictions, and more at NASCARChicago.com/localinfo/, email NASCAR directly at info@nascarchicago.com or view the Chicago Street Reace Video 

Public Transportation: As for any large–scale event, public transportation is encouraged, and both CTA and Metra will provide additional service for the event. Public transit is the most affordable and convenient way to get to and from the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com.

OEMC will issue alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies. Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org. OEMC also issues TEXT alerts for lakefront notice and issues affecting businesses:

• 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

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook (@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911).

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About OEMC

Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) oversees several functions that support public safety and provides assistance to residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The OEMC manages the following operational areas for the city: 9-1-1 call taking and dispatch; the 3-1-1 call center; emergency management; and traffic management. The OEMC coordinates with departments citywide, including the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department, in addition to various other local, state, and federal agencies as it relates to public safety planning and coordination for everything from large-scale special events to public safety emergencies and disasters.

Mary May

Director of News Affairs

Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC)

City of Chicago