On Friday, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Crowds will mobilize, protests will ensue, and several roads in and around downtown Chicago are expected to funnel heavy traffic — both auto and pedestrian — starting today and heading well into the weekend. Keep an eye on these traffic hot spots as a result.
The Ghost Light Project | January 19, 5:30pm
The Ghost Light Project is organizing a communal gathering at theaters around the country to promote “inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, disability, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation.” Venues expected to participate: Victory Gardens Theater (2433 N. Lincoln), Steppenwolf (1650 N. Halsted), the Goodman (170 N. Dearborn) and others. If you know anything about the Chicago arts community, then you know to expect them in droves, especially on the north side of town.
Traffic hot spots:
- Lincoln
- Halsted
- Randolph
- Dearborn
The UIC Walkout and Rally | January 20, 10:40am
Students at the University of Illinois at Chicago — where you’ll recall a high-profile Trump protest took place late last year — are planning a mass exodus by stepping out of their classrooms and nearby buildings in an act of solidarity. As of Wednesday, more than 1,000 people indicated that they’re interested in attending the walkout, according to the to the event’s Facebook page. Participants will be making their way to the UIC quad, located smack dab between Harrison and Taylor Streets. Though the quad is relatively isolated from the main roads, foot traffic is expected to come from any number of directions. Halsted Street is also likely to feel the pinch.
Traffic hot spots:
- Harrison
- Taylor
- Halsted
Resist Trump | January 20, 3-5pm
Members of the Chicago Socialist Alternative are preparing to occupy Daley Plaza, with more than 7,300 people showing interest on the group’s Facebook event page. The rally is expected to end when the protest at Trump Tower starts at 5pm. Anticipate a steady stream of people moving from one place to the next. It’s a tight squeeze at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington). A big crowd could lead to bigger road blockage.
Traffic hot spots:
- Randolph
- Clark
- Dearborn
Trump Tower Chicago Inauguration Day Protest | January 20, 5pm-midnight
Just about the time most people will be heading home for the weekend, Trump Tower becomes ground zero. Organizers have declared this a peaceful protest, which is expected to draw somewhere between 8-10,000 people. Again, that’s according to the Facebook event page. It’s a speculative number, but given the tenor of the current political climate 10,000 doesn’t seem so far fetched. As most Chicagoans know, Trump Tower is located at 401 N. Wabash, across from Lower and Upper Wacker Drive, just a stone’s throw away from Michigan Avenue. Expect some congestion in the area.
Traffic hot spots:
- Wabash
- Upper Wacker
- Lower Wacker
- Michigan Ave
Women’s March on Chicago | January 21, 10am
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that 22,000 attendees are expected on Saturday, January 21, a day that’s expected to reach unseasonably high temperatures in the upper 50s. The march begins at 10am at Jackson and Lake Shore Drive, south of Petrillo Music Shell at 235 S. Columbus and head west — a brief stretch north on Michigan Ave to Adams to Dearborn, Randolph and Clark Street, closing with stop at Federal Plaza. The march also includes rallying stops for speakers.
Update: The route for the Women’s March has changed, as the number of attendees has doubled in two days. Officials are now expecting upwards of 50,000 people for the march. The shortened route will begin in Grant Park and head directly west to Federal Plaza.
Traffic hot spots:
- Jackson
