OEMC Reminds Residents to be aware of your surroundings, stay vigilant and report suspicious activity by calling 9-1-1
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is advising residents, to stay vigilant and to enjoy the various citywide events and festivals this weekend safely and responsibly. The OEMC will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders as needed.
Report Suspicious Activity: If You See Something, Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. 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.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC app. The app is a great tool to receive alerts, safety tips, the weather forecast, street closures, event information and more. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC
Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at major events citywide to direct flow and impacts from traffic. Weekend events include:
Taste of Chicago – Grant Park
Wednesday, July 8 – Sunday, July 12, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The annual Taste of Chicago returns to Grant Park. For more details, please visit: City of Chicago :: Taste of Chicago
Street Closures:
- Columbus from Monroe to Balbo
- Ida B. Wells from Columbus to Semi Circle
- Jackson from Michigan Avenue to Lake Shore Drive
- Columbus from Balbo to Roosevelt
All streets will reopen to traffic on Monday, July 13, at 11:59 p.m.
Windy City Smokeout – United Center
Wednesday, July 8 through Sunday, July 12
Windy City Smokeout, the country music and BBQ festival will return to the grounds of the United Center. The festival is in Parking Lot C (1901 W. Madison St), entrance to the festival is at Madison and Wood Streets. Event Times: Wednesday, July 8. 4:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m.; Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10, 2:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12: 1:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
For public safety, all attendees will be subject to a full and complete search prior to entry. This includes walking through a magnetometer and bag check upon entering the event site. Attendees may be subjected to additional screening, such as a pat down. Persons that refuse to comply with the search policy will be refused entry into the event. For all security details, including allowed and prohibited items, visit WindyCitySmokeout.com/faqs
Street Closures around the United Center
Through Tuesday, July 14 at 12:00 p.m.
- Warren: from Wood to Damen (two lanes)
- Madison from Damen to Wood
- Wood from Madison to Warren
- Washington from Wood to Wolcott (south curb lane)
- Wolcott from Warren to Washington
Traffic Control Aides (TCA’s) will be on hand to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. For additional details visit WindyCitySmokeout.com.
Chosen Few Picnic & Festival
Saturday, July 11, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
What started as a small gathering behind the Museum of Science and Industry in 1990 is now the world’s longest-running house music festival. Each year, over 40,000 people come together for music, culture, and community led by the legendary Chosen Few DJs. The picnic and festival will be held in Jackson Park, for more details please visit: Chosen Few DJs – Picnic and Music Festival
BIG Network – BTN Big 10K and 5K
Saturday, July 11, 7:00 a.m. (10K begins) and 8:15 a.m. (5K begins)
The 14th annual BTN Big 10K and 5K held at Soldier Field. For more details, please visit: BTN Big 10K
Jack Johnson
Saturday, July 11, 7:30 p.m.
Jack Johnson performs at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on Saturday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m. For more details, please visit: Home – Jack Johnson Music
John Mulaney
Saturday, July 11, 8:00 p.m.
John Mulaney is bringing his Mister Whatever Tour to Wrigley Field Saturday, July 11, 2026. This landmark performance marks the first comedy show ever hosted at the Friendly Confines, headlined by Chicago’s own hometown legend. For more details, please visit: Official website of award-winning writer, actor, and comedian John Mulaney
Athletics vs. White Sox
Friday, July 10, 6:40 p.m., Saturday, July 11, 1:10 p.m., Sunday, July 12, 1:10 p.m.
The White Sox take on the Athletics at Rate Field this weekend. For more details, please visit: www.mlb.com/whitesox
Southport Art Fest
Saturday, July 11, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 12, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
This cherished neighborhood festival brings together an incredible lineup of 100 artists, a vibrant street festival atmosphere, and free admission for all—making it the perfect summer weekend outing.For more details, please visit: Southport Art Fest | Amdur Productions
Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, residents are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area, along various points on the lakefront path and on DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 5700 North to 6600 South to help them reference their location along the lakefront and within the park if you call 9-1-1 in an emergency. OEMC call takers and dispatchers will be able to provide the location for first responders. The pole markers can also be used between friends and family members as a meeting point if you become separated. For additional details click HERE.
Public Transportation: As for any large–scale event, public transportation is encouraged, and both CTA and Metra will provide additional service for the event. Public transit is the most affordable and convenient way to get to and from the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com.
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 the Chicago OEMC 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
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(facebook.com/ChicagoOEMC), TikTok (@ChicagoOEMC), X (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).
