CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The city has been busy with planning for the New Years celebration, with the centerpiece being a fireworks display along the Chicago River and Navy Pier and there are concerns about how it will play out.
The main message from the city in regards to the upcoming celebration was safety as COVID, alcohol, and suspicious activity all come into play. Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a stern warning for anyone displaying irresponsible behavior.
"Simply put, if you're going to come downtown, you've got to do so with the right spirit to have fun and not cause mischief or worse commit crimes," she said. "As my mother would tell me, you go out in public and you act a fool there's going to be accountability."
She noted that some bars and restaurants will be asking for proof of vaccination ahead of the mandate that starts next week and she urged parents do not let kids go downtown by themselves.
The fireworks display will begin at midnight and can be viewed along the Chicago River from Wolf Point near the Franklin/Orleans Street bridge to the east of Columbus Drive to Navy Pier. For public safety, the Riverwalk will be closed early to pedestrian traffic preceding the fireworks.
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications is urging pedestrians, motorists, spectators and residents to be aware that streets and bridges in the Central Business District will close to all traffic at 11 p.m. on Dec.31 and will reopen at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The OEMC also said that any suspicious activity should be reported by calling 911.
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