NEAR THE WEST SIDE — More parking restrictions related to the Democratic National Convention occurred near the United Center this week, confusing surrounding business owners and neighbors who thought they were on the safe side.
Officials had previously announced the areas around the United Center and McCormick Place where pedestrian and vehicle access would be restricted during the DNC, which begins Monday.
However, for “security and logistical reasons,” there will also be parking problems in some areas outside the designated “security area,” the organizers said in a press release on Thursday.
Parking restriction signs will be posted Friday, 24 hours before some of the restrictions go into effect, officials said. Officials are urging neighbors to heed the posted signs to avoid tickets and having their vehicles towed.
In addition, some United Center neighbors outside the security perimeter said “no parking” signs had been posted on their blocks for several days while city workers beautified the streets near the venues.
CBS reported that some parking bans went into effect on Monday and that fences were erected to protect the security perimeter of Congress.
Some neighbors of the United Center said they were frustrated and surprised by these restrictions because they did not expect to be affected.
“I’m glad I have a garage space because there are no parking signs for the DNC in my neighborhood,” said a neighbor of the United Center on X.
Norman Lewis, owner of Harold’s Chicken Shack West Loop, 503 W. Madison St., said there have been intermittent parking restrictions in front of his store over the past two weeks.
According to posted signs, parking is not permitted on Madison Street between Ada Street and Ashland Avenue.
Parking is also restricted on Loomis Street between Madison Street and Washington Boulevard. According to signs, the restrictions will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through August 23.
Lewis said the city began enforcing the parking ban on Thursday and business has been slow at Harold’s and its neighboring sports bar, Max Bar & Grill (1507 W. Madison St.). He believes the pre-DNC restrictions may be keeping customers away.
“Business is very bad, very slow. We’re trying to believe that with the DNC coming up this week, things will pick up,” he said. “We need the business.”
Esther Parkman, owner of the Goddess Lounge, 1503 W. Madison St., said the newer parking restrictions have not had much of an impact.
“It was OK, I guess they’ll just find somewhere else to park,” Parkman said. “It is what it is.”
Parkman, also known as “The Goddess of Knotless” on social media, opened the braiding salon in June 2023. Business has been “doing well,” so she will keep the salon open during the DNC and hopes customers will come, even though it will be a little harder to find parking, she said.
Where are the no-parking zones?
Near the United Center
From Friday through August 23, no parking will be permitted on West Jackson Boulevard from South Wood Street to South Western Avenue.
From Saturday until August 23, parking is not permitted on these streets:
- West Washington Boulevard from North Ashland Avenue to North Paulina Street
- West Warren Boulevard from North Ashland Avenue to North Paulina Street
In the meantime, daily parking restrictions apply on these streets from Saturday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.:
- West Lake Street from North Ashland Avenue to North Damen Avenue. Parking is prohibited on the south side of the street only.
- West Maypole Avenue from North Hermitage Avenue to North Damen Avenue
- North Paulina Street from West Washington Boulevard to West Lake Street
- North Hermitage Avenue from West Washington Boulevard to West Lake Street
- North Wood Avenue from West Washington Boulevard to West Lake Street
- North Wolcott Avenue from West Washington Boulevard to West Lake Street
Near McCormick Place
Parking is prohibited in these streets from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day until August 25.
- 18th Street from Michigan Avenue to Prairie Avenue
- Cullerton Street from Michigan Avenue to Calumet Avenue
- 21st Street from Michigan Avenue to Calumet Avenue
- Calumet Avenue from 18th Street to 200 feet south of 18th Street
Parking is prohibited on these streets until August 25
- Cermak Road from Michigan Avenue to Calumet Avenue
- 23rd Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
- 24th Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
- 24th Place from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
- MLK Drive from 22nd Street to 25th Street
- Prairie Avenue from 20th Street to 22nd Street
- Indiana Avenue from 18th Street to 25th Street
- Michigan Avenue from 21st Street to 25th Street
Parking restrictions could change, DNC organizers said.
As of 10 p.m. Thursday, traffic on the streets near the United Center security perimeter was restricted to residents only. This includes the area between Lake Street and Jackson Boulevard from Western Avenue to Ashland Avenue and Ogden Avenue.
Even before the announcement, some neighbors worried that they would not be able to find a parking spot nearby during the DNC or that their vehicles might be ticketed.
When the United Center hosts sporting and entertainment events, it is difficult for neighbors and visitors to find parking, several neighbors previously told Block Club.
“At many sporting events, you’re not allowed to park on the street. You get a ticket if you’re in a parking lot that says you’re not allowed to park, but you stay here,” said Money Harris, who lives in the Horner Homes Annex, which is under the jurisdiction of DNC security.
Neighbors of the public housing complex can park their cars in an alternative parking lot, DNC organizers said earlier. But visitors have great difficulty finding parking, making it almost impossible for them to visit the complex, Harris said.
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