Possible street closures in Chicago for Mexican Independence Day celebration – NBC Chicago

Emergency officials in Chicago are warning of potential significant traffic impacts, including closed streets during Mexican Independence Day celebrations and the El Grito festival in Grant Park this weekend.

Festivities are expected to begin Friday night and last through the weekend, with Mexico’s Independence Day falling on Sept. 16, according to a new alert from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

City officials are asking residents to be respectful of their neighbors and the community during the festivities, which typically involve car caravans and other events in the area.

Downtown residents or visitors are asked to be alert to increased traffic in the area. City officials may need to close downtown roads or reroute traffic to manage traffic flow.

In the event that access to the Central Business District is restricted due to the festivities, a series of checkpoints will be set up for residents, employees and intensive care staff to gain access. These will be set up at:

Halsted/Division

Halsted/Chicago

Halsted/Washington

Halsted/Madison

Halsted/Jackson

Division/LaSalle

Roosevelt/Canal

Desplaines/Channel

18^and/Stands

18^and/Michigan

18^and/Indiana

Officials say it is also possible that exits on regional highways will be closed during the festivities.

In addition to the Mexican Independence Day celebrations, the El Grito Festival will also be held on Saturday and Sunday. The festival takes place in Grant Park in Chicago and features music, food, and festivities in honor of Mexican independence.

Jackson will be closed between Columbus and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Residents are urged to use public transportation on both days of the event.

Little Village will host more events, including a 5K race and the Mexican Independence Day Parade on Saturday.

NBC Chicago and Telemundo Chicago will stream the parade from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday via NBCChicago.com, TelemundoChicago.com, their respective apps and the NBC 5 Chicago News streaming channel.

More information can be found via the OEMC app and on the city’s website.