Another busy weekend in Chicago with the Chicago Triathlon as well as multiple festivals and concerts happening throughout the city. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds, increased traffic and to plan accordingly.  

 

This weekend, the City of Chicago will have citywide deployments to ensure the safety and security of the public. The OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and will coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders as needed. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at select events citywide to direct flow and impacts from increased traffic.

Report Suspicious Activity:  If You See Something, Say Something™ OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity – especially in large gatherings. 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. Although the City has not received actionable threats, the Department of Homeland Security released an advisory on May 24, 2023 -  National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin. DHS emphasizes the continued heightened threat environment across the United States. It notes that “lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and personal grievances continue to pose a persistent threat to the United States.” 

 

Chicago OEMC App – Know Before You Go 

For safety and preparedness at your fingertips, residents and festival goers are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar, and other weather-related information as well. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website, Chicago.gov/OEMC. 

Chicago Triathlon | Grant Park, DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Foster Beach 

Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27 

Race weekend consists of five stand-alone triathlons: the International, Sprint, Super Sprint, Life Time Kids Tri Senior division, and Life Time Kids Tri Junior division. The Triple Challenge is the sixth event, and it consists of the Super Sprint on Saturday, then participating in both the International and Sprint races on Sunday. Chicago is expecting 7,500 athletes and the 175 athletes attempting the Triple Challenge. For a complete race weekend details, visit ChicagoTriathlon.com 

 

Saturday, August 26 | Foster Beach | 5200 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive 

LifeTime Kids Tri Chicago (Junior and Senior Categories) 

6:45 a.m. Swim Start (Juniors), 7 a.m. Race Start (Juniors), 7:45 a.m. Swim Start (Seniors), 8 a.m. Race Start (Seniors) 

SuperSprint – SuperSprint Course - Chicago Triathlon 

 

9:50 a.m. Swim Start, 10 a.m. Race Start 

Sunday, August 27 | Grant Park/DuSable Harbor/Monroe Harbor 

The Chicago Triathlon Sprint & International Races 

6 a.m. Race Start – International & Sprint Course Details - Chicago Triathlon 

Swim Start Monroe Harbor: 700 S. Lake Shore Drive 

Transition Area DuSable Harbor: 600 E. Randolph St 

Finish Line Grant Park: 900 S. Columbus Dr 

 

Street Closures beginning Saturday, August 26: 

Simonds Dr | Foster Ave to Montrose 

Saturday, 8/26 at 5 a.m. until noon 

Lake Shore Dr | Northbound Randolph St Exit Ramp 

Saturday, 8/26 at 11 a.m. until Sunday, 8/27 at 4 p.m. 

Columbus Dr | Roosevelt to Balbo: All lanes closed to traffic 

Saturday, 8/26 at 1 p.m. until Sunday, 8/27 at 7 p.m. 

Lake Shore Dr | Southbound Hollywood to Randolph Street 

Sunday, 8/27 5 a.m. until noon 

Lower/Intermediate Wacker Dr | Jackson to Lake Shore Dr 

Sunday, 8/27 at 6:30 a.m. until 11:20 a.m. 

Intermediate Columbus Dr | Northbound Randolph to Water St 

Sunday, 8/27 at 6:30 a.m. until noon 

Lower Columbus Dr | Randolph to Wacker Dr 

Sunday, 8/27 at 6:30 AM until 11:45 a.m. 

Intermediate Randolph St | Columbus Dr to Lake Front 

Sunday, 8/27 at 5 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. 

 

Taste of Greektown | 315, S. Halsted Street/Greektown 

Friday, August 25, 4–10p.m., Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27, noon-10 p.m. 

The Taste of Greektown will be held along Halsted St. from Adams to Van Buren. For complete details, visit chicagoevents.com/Taste-of-Greektown 

 

Jonas Brothers at Wrigley Field 

Friday, August 25 at 7 p.m., Gates Open at 6 p.m. 

For additional details visit, Wrigley Field Information Guide | Chicago Cubs (mlb.com) 

 

Bucktown Art Festival  

Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27,  

Located at Holstein Park at 2200 N. Oakley Avenue, BucktownArtsFest.com 

 

Navy Pier Fireworks 

Saturday, August 26, 10 p.m. 

For complete details, visit NavyPier.org 

 

Chicago White Sox vs Oakland Athletics at Guaranteed Rate Field 

Thursday, August 24 (7:10 p.m.), Friday, August 25 & 26 (6:10 p.m.), Sunday, August 27 (1:10 p.m.) 

 

Chicago Bears Pre-Season / Soldier Field   

Saturday, August 26 at Noon  

The Chicago Bears take on the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field for their first home preseason game at noon on Saturday. Parking lots open at 8 a.m. and gates open at 10 a.m.
Fan Safety:  

• Fans attending the game are required to enter Soldier Filed using a mobile ticket.  
• Soldier Field’s NFL clear bag policy will be in effect for this event. Clear plastic bags/backpacks that do not exceed 12"x6"x12" or one gallon (or smaller) clear plastic freezer bags are allowed. Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried into the stadium along with one of the clear bag options. For complete details including a list of prohibited items, visit ChicagoBears.com/game-day/coming-to-the-game  

Parking, Ride-Share and Transportation:   

• Rideshare Uber/Lyft drop-off/pick-up is located at Balbo and Columbus. The 18th St. turnaround will also be designated for drop-offs and the 18th St. McCormick lot will be utilized for pick-ups. Rideshare users are urged to be alert and take the necessary precautions before entering a ride-share vehicle.  
• No exiting from vehicles on or along DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be condoned.  
• Residential parking restrictions are in effect around Soldier Field. Call 3-1-1 to locate towed vehicles. 
• Fans are urged to arrive early to avoid Columbus closure from Balbo to Roosevelt at 1 p.m. due to the Triathlon set up. 

Public Transportation: For all large events, public transportation is encouraged. Public transit is the most affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to get to and from summertime events. For more information, visit CTA and Metra.com. 

 

Although the excessive heat Is not part of the forecast this weekend, it’s important to stay hydrated during outdoor activities and to plan ahead before heading out.  

 

Weather and Public Safety:  OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. Residents are encouraged to check the weather before heading out. For the most up-to-date information, please tune into local media or download a weather app. 

 

OEMC issues 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 

• 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 
• COVID: Get COVID-19 updates by TEXTING “COVID19” to 6-7-2-8-3 

Grant Park and Lakefront Poles Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, residents and visitors are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the light poles throughout the Grant Park area and along the lakefront. The green signs with white letters and numbers are also located from 2400 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive to 6600 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and on the lakefront from Oak Street to Fullerton and Montrose to Foster Avenue to help residents reference their location within the park to friends, family and first responders if there is an emergency and you call 9-1-1. 

 

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).