City And State Officials Prepare To Ring In The New Year

Fireworks Show

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Police Department plans to have an additional 1,300 officers patrolling the city on New Year's Eve.

Chief Fred Waller said the city anticipates large crowds and heavy traffic Tuesday night because of multiple fireworks displays.

"Many of these specialized units will be part of a team of 300 additional officers that will be deployed specifically for the fireworks display planned along the Chicago River on Tuesday night," Waller said.

The Chicago River fireworks display will take place on a one-mile stretch of the Main Branch of the Chicago River, separate from the Navy Pier display on Lake Michigan.

The following roadways and bridges will be closed for fireworks displays starting as early as 11 p.m:

  • Upper Wacker Drive between Lake Street and Lake Shore Drive
  • Franklin/Orleans Street Bridge
  • Wells Street Bridge
  • LaSalle Street Bridge
  • Clark Street Bridge
  • Dearborn Street Bridge
  • State Street Bridge
  • Wabash Street Bridge
  • Michigan Avenue Bridge
  • Columbus Drive Bridge

Waller said officers will primarily focus on the entertainment districts of Chicago, but additional officers will also be present throughout the CTA.

Last year, 29 people were shot and two died over the holiday weekend.

CPD hopes to decrease those numbers by adding canine officers to CTA stops and boost visibility throughout the city.

"We'll be beefing up our mass transit patrols, about 50 additional officers. We've bulked it up continuously throughout the year and we'll have about 50 additional officers along the CTA railways and the buses," added Waller.

Illinois State Police is focused on residents getting to and from their celebrations safely.

Lt. Colonel David Byrd said patrol officers will look for the 'fatal four:" seatbelt usage, distracted driving, speeding and driving under the influence.

That includes the use of recreational marijuana, which will be legal at midnight Wednesday. 

ISP will conduct field sobriety tests for those caught driving under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.

The CTA is offering free bus and train rides from 10:00 p.m. Tuesday to 4:00 a.m. Wednesday.