City Of Chicago Restricting Access To Central Business District Following Violent Protests
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The City of Chicago is now reducing access to the central business district following violent protests Saturday night as demonstrators demanded justice for George Floyd, who died during his arrest in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. The city announced that multiple routes to the central business districts will be temporarily reduced.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation, the Department of Water Management and the Chicago Police Department will reduce access to only employees whose businesses are located within the boundaries, people who live in the area or people conducting essential activities.
Trying to get in and out of the Loop is a struggle.
— Steven Graves (@StevenGravesTV) May 31, 2020
City utility vehicles like this block streets...and bridges along the river are still up. pic.twitter.com/V9N33UyMzb
Boundaries include the following: Division Street from Lake Shore Drive and North Halsted Street; North Halsted from Division Street to Milwaukee Avenue and Grand Avenue; Milwaukee Avenue from Grand Avenue to Kinzie Street; Canal Street from Kinzie Street to 26th Street; 26th Street from Canal Street to Lake Shore Drive.
CTA service has also been suspended for trains and buses coming in and out of the Loop. The following routes are affected:
- Red Line: No trains between 47th and Belmont
- Blue Line: No trains between Western (O'Hare Branch) and Western (Forest Park Branch)
- Brown Line: No trains between Belmont and the Loop
- Orange Line: No trains between 35th/Archer and the Loop
- Pink Line: No trains between Western and the Loop
- Green Line: No trains between 47th and California
Some bus service has also been suspended:
- Southbound buses will not go past Fullerton;
- Northbound buses will not go past 47th; and
- Eastbound buses will not go past Western.
Illinois State Police announced the following ramp closures until further notice:
- I-290 eastbound to Ida B. Wells Drive
- I-94 northbound ramp to Ida B. Wells Drive
- I-90 northbound ramp to Ohio
- I-90 southbound toOhio
According to a release, the city is working closely with the organizer of rallies and protests scheduled to take place in the afternoon to provide an alternative, optional route for marches.
There is a citywide curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. that began Saturday night in place until further notice.
For complete coverage of the situation in Minneapolis visit CBSMinnesota.com and stream CBSN Minnesota.