Security Perimeter, Protest Protocol, Potential Mass Arrests: 2024 DNC

CHICAGO — Local, state and federal officials are preparing for restrictions and possible mass arrests surrounding next month's Democratic National Convention.

As many as 500 officers from other law enforcement agencies, each with at least eight hours of training on city policies, have been called in to assist directing traffic and working at checkpoints around the convention sites.

“This will free up our officers, our Chicago police officers, to be in more volatile areas,” said Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling at a news conference Thursday with the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and city leaders. “We can’t have a successful Democratic National Convention, if we’re not protecting the entire city as a whole.”

Secret Service Deputy Special Agent in Charge Derek Mayer said preparations included plans for pop-up demonstrations and dozens of outreach events with local businesses, residents and community groups.

"I want everyone to know that the Secret Service and our public safety partners respect every American's First Amendment Rights," Mayer said. "The superintendent has assured that CPD is well-equipped to manage protests and plans are in place to keep those gatherings safe. The shared goal is for everyone to express their views lawfully while ensuring a secure environment fore delegates, convention attendees and the general public."

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In addition to plans for security perimeters around the United Center and McCormick Place, the Cook County court system is gearing up to handle a major uptick in court proceedings in connection with the Aug. 19 to Aug. 22 event.

A temporary court facility will be staffed and equipped to manage a potential influx of cases, and Cook County judges have cleared their non-essential proceedings off their calendars to be available for convention-related incidents, court officials said.

Law enforcement officers subpoenaed to testify in court from Aug. 12 to Aug. 30 will be excused, except for cases related to the DNC or those under speedy trial requirements.

Chief Judge Timothy Evans thanked government officials and court staff for their cooperation.

“We have been meeting for weeks with more than 50 people from county, city, state, and federal agencies to prepare for the possibility of multiple arrests," Evans said. "We want to make sure the police are able to focus on providing security and that the rights of arrested individuals are scrupulously respected."

The former Branch 29 court facility at Belmont and Western avenues, which closed in 2019, will be reopened from 8 a.m. to midnight.

If there are too many arrests to handle there, officials said processing will take place at Chicago police facilities and cases will be heard at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, at 26th Street and South California Avenue.

Court officials said 57 judges who have been trained on the Pretrial Fairness Act will be available, if needed, to hear cases at the main courthouse or at the former Branch 29.

Any jury trials in criminal cases scheduled to be heard the Leighton courthouse and scheduled to begin between Aug. 12 and Aug. 30 will be moved to the Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows if they cannot be rescheduled.

Additionally, most employees at courthouses near the convention, including the 69 W. Washington St. administration building, the Daley Center, the Domestic Violence Courthouse, and the Juvenile Center, will work remotely from Aug. 19 to Aug. 23. Evans issued two General Administrative Orders to address court-related security issues for the DNC.

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The Coalition to March on the DNC, made up of more than 120 organizations, plans demonstrations on the first and last days of the convention focused on ending U.S. aid to Israel. Other groups plan to protest in favor of abortion rights, better schools, rights for immigrants and opposition to police misconduct.

Snelling said officers will allow First Amendment-protected activity and do what is necessary to keep the city safe.

"What will we not tolerate is vandalism to our city. What we will not tolerate is violent activity," he said. "And if we see that, we will put an end to that quickly."

Two security zones will be established around the United Center and McCormick Place — a vehicle screening perimeter and a pedestrian restricted perimeter.

The vehicle screening perimeter allows vehicles, but they must pass through specific checkpoints for security screenings.

The inner pedestrian restricted perimeter will be fenced-off and only accessible to attendees, staff, journalists and others with credentials. Bicycles and cars will not be permitted within this inner perimeter.

Street closures around the United Center will begin at 7 p.m. on Aug. 17 and continue until the morning of Aug. 23. The closures include:

• West Washington Boulevard from Damen Avenue to South Wood Street
• Damen Avenue from Jackson Boulevard to West Washington Boulevard
• West Warren Boulevard from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
• West Madison Street from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
• West Monroe Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
• West Adams Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
• South Horner Street from West Monroe Street to West Adams Street
• South Wood Street from West Washington Boulevard to West Jackson Boulevard
• South Seeley Avenue from West Madison Street to West Adams Street
• Restricted vehicle traffic: Jackson Boulevard from South Damen Avenue to South Wood Street

A CTA bus detour will route around the closures, and riders should expect delays. Parking lots around the United Center are reserved for DNC staff and activities.

Similar security measures will be in place around McCormick Place. The vehicle screening perimeter will include checkpoints for vehicle entry, while the pedestrian restricted perimeter will be fenced off and limited to credentialed personnel.

Street closures around McCormick Place will begin at 10 p.m. on Aug. 16 and continue until the end of the convention events. The closures include:

• Indiana Avenue from 18th to East 24th Place
• Michigan Avenue from 21st to 25th Street
• Cermak Road from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
• 23rd Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
• Prairie Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
• 24th Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
• Calumet Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
• 24th Place from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
• MLK Drive from Cermak Road to 25th Street
• East 21st Street closed from, and inclusive of, South Michigan Avenue to South Calumet Avenue
• East 21st Street is open from west of South Michigan Avenue to, and inclusive of, South Wabash Avenue and East 21st

No trucks or anything larger than passenger cars will be permitted on Interstate 55/Stevenson Expressway between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and State Street in both directions. The MLK Boulevard exit from I-55 northbound lanes will be closed except to vehicles authorized by the Secret Service.

Sidewalks around the venues will also have closures, with pedestrian traffic directed by signage. The CTA will reroute buses to avoid these areas, and riders should budget extra travel time.