OLDER INFORMATION
Email Message Sent to New Eastside mailing list on April 30, 2012:
From: Richard Ward <neweastside@gmail.com>
To: NewEastside@googlegroups.com
:
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012
Subject: NEAR - NATO SUMMIT INFORMATION
NATO SUMMIT Information
Board members of the New Eastside Association of Residents (NEAR) recently attended a briefing provided by the NATO Host committee and Secret Service regarding the upcoming NATO Summit that will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago on May 20th and 21st, 2012.
The local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are intentionally keeping their coordinated plans confidential. We were told that the intention is to keep disruption and inconvenience to a minimum by having rolling closures of roadways. It is suggested that residents carry identification (which includes their local address) in the event that they need to gain access to their home on a closed road. You can click on www.neweastside.org/scanner.html and listen to the Chicago Police radio traffic in the two downtown districts. You may try it now, and then get live information during the summit.
It is our understanding that each New Eastside residential building will be determining and arranging for their own building’s security.
To learn more about NATO and to keep up to date on the most current information regarding the summit as it becomes available, visit the official Chicago NATO 2012 website: http://www.chicagonato.org/ You may also contact the NATO Host Committee directly, with questions, comments at info@chicagonato.org
Also, residents may sign up for NotifyChicago, a new city service that provides residents with recorded telephone messages, text messages and/or e-mail alerts on various emergency and non-emergency situations taking place throughout Chicago. Their website is: https://webapps.cityofchicago.org/NotifyChicago/index.jsp
All of the above links will be posted in the upper left corner of the neighborhood website www.neweastside.org
--
Richard F. Ward, President, NEAR
New Eastside Association of Residents
155 N. Harbor Dr. #5101
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone Link and Locater 312-473-7931
www.NewEastside.ORG
http://groups.google.com/group/NewEastside
NATO SUMMIT Information
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Have a NATO Question? POSTED Friday evening, May 18, 2012
Over the weekend, if you have a NATO related question, please contact the Hillard Heintze Business Call Center, a fully staffed and operational 24-hour business communications center at 312-742-1699.
Residents can visit www.HillardHeintze.com to sign up for information-feed texts, and receive real-time alerts about traffic, protest activity locations and rolling street closures.
Alderman Reilly also strongly suggests that residents sign up for the City of Chicago's Notify Chicago system to stay updated on traffic issues. Just this morning, the following notice was distributed:
On Sunday May 20, there will be street closures on Randolph from Lake Shore Dr to Michigan from 4pm - 11pm. Also, on Sunday May 20th traffic on Lake Shore Dr will be closed from Grand to 39th street from 4pm - 11pm
NEAR was advised Friday evening that these road closures MAY also apply to our alternative LOWER roadway system too - however Upper Randolph will be a "soft-closure" manned by the police, and residents with picture identification (and related bills or receipts matching your name, if this is your second home building address) will be allowed to return to their homes.
Notify Chicago will continue to provide up-to-the-minute updates to those who have signed up for this FREE text, email or phone alert service, provided by the City's Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
Other government agencies will also be posting updated information throughout the weekend:
NATO Host Committee: http://www.chicagonato.org/
City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications: http://www.notifychicago.org
Chicago Police Department: https://portal.chicagopolice.org/portal/page/portal/ClearPath
Chicago Transit Authority: http://www.TransitChicago.com
Chicago Metra: http://www.metrarail.com
Federal Aviation Administration flight restrictions: http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html
Illinois Department of Transportation: www.travelmidwest.com
Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District: http://www.NICTD.com
U.S. Secret Service: http://www.secretservice.gov
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What to expect during the NATO Summit
this Sunday and Monday, May 20 - 21, 2012
Increased Police Presence
Parking Restrictions and Road Closures
CTA Service Impacts
Metra Service Impacts
Approved Parade Routes for NATO Demonstrations
Some Museums and Cultural Attractions Closed
Increased Police Presence
For ALL Chicago neighborhoods, there will be MORE police on duty than usual.
Parking Restrictions and Road Closures
The security and transportation plan, developed by local, state and federal agencies, provides a general outline for expected closures, restricted zones, public transportation and pedestrian routes.
Parking restrictions are already in effect in limited areas near McCormick Place. Road closures and pedestrian restrictions will be implemented beginning at midnight 12:00am on Saturday, May 19. All affected roadways will be open for evening rush hour on Monday, May 21.
Major Road Closures:
Lake Shore Drive (LSD) from 39th street to Balbo will be closed
Access to 1-55 southbound and access to LSD via 1-55 northbound will be closed
I-55 northbound from I-90/94 to LSD will be closed
Columbus Drive from Balbo to McFetridge will be closed
Roosevelt Road from Michigan to LSD will be closed
Indiana Avenue from 21st street to 25th Street will be closed
31st Street from Martin Luther King Drive to LSD will be closed
Martin Luther King Drive from Cermak to 26th Street will be closed
Cermak Road from Michigan to Martin Luther King Drive will be closed
Major Lane Reductions:
Clark Street from Oak Street to Ontario will experience lane reductions
Dearborn Street from Kinzie to Ontario will experience lane reductions
In addition to road closures and parking restrictions, there will be intermittent traffic delays and temporary closures on interstate roads and throughout the downtown area beginning on Saturday, May 19, until Monday, May 21, to allow motorcades to travel to and from McCormick Place and other event sites. The major roadways affected by these intermittent closures include:
1-90 East & West (Kennedy Expressway) between O'Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago
Ohio Street from 1-90/94 to Fairbanks Court/Columbus Drive
Ontario Street from Fairbanks Court/Columbus Drive to 1-90/94
I-90/94 East & West between downtown Chicago and I-55
Roosevelt Road, 18th Street and Canalport Avenues across from 1-94 West (Dan Ryan Expressway Outbound)
Major Traffic Impacts in the 42nd Ward:
Chicago Cultural Center and Art Institute of Chicago:
No Street parking beginning at 2pm, Saturday, May 19 until 12:00am midnight, Sunday, May 20
Wabash Avenue, both sides of street, between Lake and Washington
Randolph Street, both sides of street, between Michigan and Wabash
Washington Street, both sides of street, between Wabash and Michigan
Michigan Avenue, west side of street, between Randolph and Jackson
Monroe Street, both sides of street, between Michigan and Columbus
Road closure on Sunday, May 20 from 12:00am midnight to 11:00pm
Monroe Street between Michigan and Columbus
Road closure on Sunday, May 20 from 4:00pm to 11:00pm
Garland Court between Madison and Randolph.....(NEAR note - This possibly should state between Wacker and Randolph)
Intermittent Road Closures beginning at 6:00pm Sunday, May 20
Northbound/Southbound Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Jackson
Jackson between Michigan and Columbus
Columbus between Monroe and Jackson
Other Impacted Areas:
McCormick Place:
Road closures and pedestrian restrictions will be implemented beginning at midnight, Saturday, May 19 (Friday midnight into Saturday). The affected roadways will open for evening rush hour on Monday, May 21:
Northbound and southbound Lake Shore Drive between E. Balbo Avenue and E. 39th Street
Northbound and southbound Interstate 55 between I-90/94 to Lake Shore Drive
Northbound and southbound S. Columbus Drive at E. Balbo Avenue
Eastbound and westbound E. Roosevelt Road between S. Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive
Northbound and southbound S. Indiana Avenue between E. 21st Street and E. 25th Street
Northbound and southbound S. Calumet Avenue between E. Cullerton Street and E. Cermak Road
Northbound and southbound S. Prairie Avenue between E. 21st Street and E. 25th Street
Eastbound and westbound E. 21st Street between S. Indiana Avenue and S. Calumet Avenue
Eastbound and westbound E. Cermak Road between S. Michigan Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive
Westbound E. 24th Place between Martin Luther King Drive and S. State Street
Eastbound E. 25th Street between S. State Street and Martin Luther King Drive
Northbound and southbound S. Wabash Avenue between E. 24th Place and E. 25th Street
Northbound and southbound Martin Luther King Drive between E. 26th Street and E. Cermak Road
Northbound and southbound Moe Drive between E. 31st Street and Mines Drive
Eastbound and westbound E. 31st Street between S. Cottage Grove and Fort Dearborn Drive
Northbound and southbound Fort Dearborn Drive between E. 31st Street and Lakeside Center
Northern Museum Campus:
Adler Planetarium, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium are scheduled to be open for business with limited parking on Saturday, May 19. Parking lots open on Saturday include the top three floors of Soldier Field North Lot and the Adler Planetarium parking lot. All parking lots will close at 5:30 p.m. following the closure of museums. If vehicles are still in lots they will be towed from the campus to an off-site city lot.
As of 6 p.m. Saturday evening, May 19, the Northern Museum Campus to include Northerly Island will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic. All pedestrians and vehicles still on the campus at that time will be permitted to exit at the intersection of Columbus Drive and Roosevelt Road. Adler Planetarium, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium will be closed to the public on Sunday, May 20.
The following roads will be closed on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.:
Museum Campus Drive between McFetridge Drive and 18th Street
E. Waldron Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
18th Street between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
Lake Shore Drive between McFetridge Drive and McCormick Center (Street closure will merge with McCormick Center street closures.)
Eastbound and westbound E. Roosevelt Road between S. Indiana Avenue and S. Lake Shore Drive
Street parking will be prohibited at the following locations Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.:
East and west side of N. Museum Campus Drive between McFetridge Drive and 18th Street
North and south side of E. Waldron Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
North and south side of 18th Street between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
East and westbound E. Roosevelt Road between S. Indiana Avenue and S. Lake Shore Drive
The following parking lots will be closed to museum campus patrons Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.:
Field Museum east parking lot
South portion of Adler Planetarium parking lot
First floor of Soldier Field North Lot
Waldron Lot and Soldier Field South Lot
The following roads will be closed Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 6 p.m. until Sunday, May 20 at midnight (Sunday midnight into Monday):
Museum Campus Drive between E. Solidarity Drive and 18th Street
E. Waldron Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
18th Street between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
Northbound and southbound Lake Shore Drive between E. Balbo Avenue and McCormick Center (Street closure will merge with McCormick Center street closures)
E. McFetridge Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
S. Columbus Drive between E. Balboa Drive and E. McFetridge Drive
Eastbound and westbound E. Roosevelt Road between S. Indiana Avenue and S. Lake Shore Drive
Street parking will be prohibited at the following locations Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 6 p.m. until Sunday, May 20 at midnight (Sunday midnight into Monday):
East and west side of N. Museum Campus Drive between E. Solidarity Drive and 18th Street
North and south side of E. Waldron Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
North and south side of 18th Street between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
North and south side of McFetridge Drive between S. Lake Shore Drive and Museum Campus Drive
North and south side of eastbound and westbound Solidarity Drive between Museum Campus Drive and Adler Planetarium turnabout.
The following parking lots will be closed Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 6 p.m. until Sunday, May 20 at midnight (Sunday midnight into Monday):
Field Museum east parking lot
Adler Planetarium parking lot
Soldier Field North Lot (all floors)
Waldron Lot and Soldier Field South Lot
Willis Tower:
On Saturday, May 19, 2012, there will be intermittent road closures starting at 6 p.m. at:
S. Franklin Street between W. Adams Street and W. Jackson Boulevard
In addition, the street closure that already exists due to construction on W. Adams Street (north side of Willis Tower) and S. Upper Wacker Drive (west side of Willis Tower) will be in effect.
No street parking will be allowed beginning at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 19 until midnight, Sunday, May 20 (Saturday midnight going into Sunday).
North and south side of Adams Street on north side of Willis Tower
North and south side of Jackson Boulevard between Franklin and Wacker Drive
East and west side of Franklin Street between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard
Airspace Restrictions
An interagency airspace security plan will be implemented to provide secure airspace over the Chicago area during the NATO Summit. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight advisory listing enhanced restrictions was released April 18 (Notice #NOTC3675). A Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) with additional details will be published at a later date.
Pilots are strongly encouraged to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to operations in the area or contact a Flight Service Station at 1-800-992-7433 to check for all current NOTAMs. Pilots may also contact FAA Systems Operations Support Center (SOSC) at 202-267-8276 or through the FAA's website http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/liStreethtml.
Marina/Waterway Restrictions
The public will see an increased U.S. Coast Guard presence on the water during the NATO Summit. The Coast Guard's initiatives are one of the many layers of increased security during the summit. The Coast Guard will continue to perform its standard missions of search and rescue and law enforcement in addition to their homeland security responsibilities.
The following maritime security zone will be effective and enforced 24 hours a day between 8 a.m. on May 18, 2012, and 8 a.m. on May 22, 2012:
Security Zone A - Security Zone A encompasses all U.S. navigable waters, facilities, and shoreline within the arc of a circle with a 2000-yard radius of the Burnham park boat ramp with its center point located in the approximate position 41º51'37"N, 087º36'44"W.[DATUM: NAD 83].
Security Zones B, C, and D, effective between 8 a.m. on May 18, 2012, and 8 a.m. on May 22, 2012, will have fewer restrictions than Zone A. Commercial and recreational traffic will be allowed access to these areas unless security measures need to be temporarily implemented.
Security Zone B - Security Zone B encompasses all U.S. navigable waters, facilities, and shoreline within the arc of a circle with a 2000-yard radius of the outer most tip of the Chicago lock with its center point located in the approximate position 41º53'19"N, 087º36'17"W.[DATUM: NAD 83].
Security Zone C - Security Zone C encompasses all U.S. navigable waters of the Chicago River between the Western Gate of the Chicago Controlling Works Lock which is located in approximate position 41º53'18"N, 087º36'28"W. [DATUM: NAD 83] and the juncture of the north and south branches of the Chicago River which is located in approximate position 41º53'11"N, 087º38'15"W. [DATUM: NAD 83]
Security Zone D - Security Zone D encompasses all U.S. navigable waters of the south branch of the Chicago River between Mile Markers 245.0 and 276.0. [DATUM: NAD 83].
Concerned maritime traffic can contact the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Representative via VHF-FM Channel 16.
All City of Chicago owned or operated bridges over the Main, South and North Branches of the Chicago River will be closed to masted navigation between 7 a.m. on May 18, 2012 through 7 a.m. on May 21, 2012.
CTA Service Impacts
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trains will run on a weekday schedule during NATO, and there will be no work on the Loop Track Renewal Project in the Central Business District. Street Closures will necessitate bus reroutes, but rail service is expected to operate normally. During the summit, additional rail service and/or capacity may be added to accommodate bus riders who switch to rail.
Please note, due to technology limitations, short-term, temporary bus reroutes cannot be reflected in Google Transit, RTA Gooroo trip planner or the CTA Bus Tracker.
Google Transit and the RTA's Goroo trip planners will provide directions for regularly scheduled service. Reroutes will not be reflected in these systems, so be sure to check alerts on the CTA website to see if your service will be affected.
Bus Tracker is unable to make predictions for buses that have gone off of their usual route because it isn't able to automatically anticipate when a bus will re-join its usual route. While Bus Tracker will continue to work normally for most routes and stops, buses that are presently off-route will not show in predictions at stops further down the route until it is back on its normal path. Further, stops that are only temporarily served by some buses may not show them in results for that stop. This behavior can be expected to be the same on our website, via text message, third party apps and on digital signage that shows bus information.
To view the current list of affected CTA bus routes, please click here for planned reroute information.
If you plan to travel using public transit, check the CTA website for advance notice alerts or look up your route to find any alerts related to it using the CTA route guide.
Transit riders can also sign up to receive email or text alerts from the CTA Updates service or check their twitter feed, @cta for the latest information on any unplanned events that may affect service.
Metra Service Impacts
Most Metra riders will not see service changes as a result of the NATO Summit. Metra plans to operate regular service on 10 of its 11 lines.
For the Metra Electric Line, which passes under the summit facility at McCormick Place, most trains will operate, although some stations and the Blue Island branch line will be closed for all or part of the summit. Click on the following links view a map of Metra stations which will be closed during the NATO Summit, and impacted service on the Metra Electric Line.
Metra's NATO plans could change, and riders are urged to go to Metra's website for the latest information. Metra also will send emailed alerts to all riders who have signed up to receive them by creating a My Metra account.
Metra has implemented a wide range of safety measures during the NATO Summit. There will also be an increased law enforcement presence and K-9 units. The following safety measures will apply to passengers of all Metra lines during the three days of the summit, May 19-21, 2012:
Riders may be subject to search and/or screening before boarding or while en route.
Riders may carry only one bag not exceeding 15 inches square and 4 inches deep. Boxes, parcels, luggage, backpacks and bicycles will not be allowed on trains. Banned items cannot be stored at Metra stations. They must be removed or they will be disposed of.
Riders may not carry any food on the trains. Liquids and personal effects (such as makeup) must be less than three ounces in size. This includes coffee and other beverages. Breast milk can be carried but is subject to inspection and should be declared during any screening.
Riders may not carry any type of tools, pipes, stakes, wood or weapons, including pocket knives and pepper spray, on the trains.
Law enforcement personnel must identify themselves and present their credentials and any weapons. Security guards will not be allowed to carry any weapons onboard.
Failure to comply with these safety measures or instructions from law enforcement personnel, or attempted avoidance of screening, will result in ejection from the station or further police action.
Approved Parade Routes for NATO Demonstrations
Listed below are details for parade routes approved by the Chicago Department of Transportation. Please note however, that the US Secret Service is mandated by federal law to design and implement the security plan for the NATO Summit, therefore the following parade routes are subject to change.
Per City municipal code, the parade permit is limited to the sidewalk or one lane of traffic based on the estimated number of participants. However, if the number of participants exceeds anticipated levels, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) is authorized to make reasonable accommodation to increase portion of the public way available in order to preserve public health and safety. Alternatively, if the number of participants is substantially less than expected, the CPD can limit the available portion of the public way.
Iraq Veterans Against the War
Date and Time: Sunday May 20, assembly at 9:00am, step off at 11:30am, end at 1:45pm
Expected Participants: 1000
Assembly: Grant Park Grove #5, at NW corner of Columbus Drive and Balbo Drive
Proposed Route:
Travel south beginning at Columbus Drive and Balbo Drive
West on Roosevelt Road
South on Michigan Avenue
Brief stop at Cermak Road and Michigan Avenue
Continue South on Michigan Avenue
East on 33rd Street
South on Martin Luther King Dr.
Disband at Victory Monument (35th and King Drive)
Coalition Against the NATO/G8 War and Poverty Agenda
Date and Time: Sunday, May 20, assembly at 9:00am, step off at 2:00pm, end at 4:15pm
Expected Participants: 5000
Assembly: Butler Field/Petrillo Band Shell, 300 E. Jackson Blvd.
Proposed Route:
Travel west beginning at 300 E. Jackson Boulevard
South on State Street
East on Harrison Street
South on Michigan Avenue
East on Cermak Road
Disband at Indiana Avenue and Cermak Road
Some Museums and Cultural Attractions Closed
Due to security precautions for the 2012 NATO Summit, a number of museums and cultural attractions will be closed during that weekend, including:
Adler Planetarium - Closed Saturday, May 19 through Monday, May 21.
Art Institute of Chicago - Closed Saturday, May 19 through Monday, May 21.
Chicago Cultural Center - Building and exhibit spaces are closed Sunday, May 20, but Visitor Information Center on Randolph Street will remain open
Clarke House Museum - Closed Sunday, May 20.
Field Museum - Closed Sunday, May 20 and Monday, May 21.
Glessner House Museum - Closed Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20.
Shedd Aquarium - Closed Saturday, May 19 through Monday, May 21.
Museum of Contemporary Art - Closed Saturday, May 19 through Monday, May 21.
For all other attractions, it is recommended that you contact the institution ahead of your visit for the most updated information about NATO-related impacts.
