City hopes to avoid downtown chaos for Mexican Independence Day
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A car idles in traffic during last year's Mexican Independence Day celebrations on Halsted Street. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
The city is preparing for what has become not just a joyous weekend celebration of Mexican Independence Day, but a mass caravan that causes extreme gridlock downtown.
Why it matters: In recent years, residents, workers and tourists have been stranded by the city's surprise downtown closures of streets and expressway ramps due to thousands of revelers converging to celebrate the holiday.
Driving the news: After last year's meltdown that saw doctors and nurses denied entrance to downtown hospitals, the city has made preemptive moves to dissuade caravans, including allowing the Grito Festival to return to Grant Park, where 12,000 attendees are expected each day this weekend.
The intrigue: In 2013, the city ended a similar festival and more recently, started cracking down on neighborhood parties citing safety concerns.
- This led to more makeshift celebrations involving thousands of cars heading downtown to gather along streets like Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue.
Yes, but: It remains unclear if reinstating the festival will deter caravans.
What they're saying: "There will be zero tolerance for any caravanning, taking over intersections whether it's with a vehicle or pedestrian, drinking in the streets, fireworks, any stuff that we've experienced in the past," Chicago Police commander David Harris said at a recent community meeting.
Zoom in: It's unclear what zero tolerance means, since thousands of cars participate. Chicago's Office of Emergency Management says they will close streets "if necessary" to control traffic and are telling travelers to allow for extra time.
- For residents and essential workers, the city has set up checkpoints.
- Last year, authorities said they wouldn't shut down streets and then reversed course, abruptly closing roads and several expressway ramps.
- The surprise closures caused backups and delays for hours and prompted fierce backlash from alders.
Reality check: Caravans aren't new to Chicago. Mexican-Americans have celebrated in neighborhoods like Pilsen and Little Village for decades.
Zoom out: "I think this (Grito Fest) is a smart idea," the Little Village Community Council's Baltazar Enriquez told CBS 2 earlier this year. "I think this will deter those caravans."
The other side: Downtown residents aren't happy. At a recent public meeting, many decried the city bringing the festival back, worrying it will only make the crowds larger.