(Editor's note: City officials later Saturday reversed course and said they would impose street closures to deal with caravans)
(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Mexican Independence Day car caravans will be unimpeded tonight, barring emergencies, Chicago officials signaled today, after a night of traffic disruptions in the downtown.
Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications said there would not be the type of coordinated street closures that were imposed Friday night in response to the caravans that rolled through the Loop.
“For the remainder of the weekend, there are no planned street closures unless deemed necessary for public safety reasons. Residents can expect possible increased traffic activity within the Central Business District,” OEMC said in a news release issued Saturday morning.
Authorities will monitor activities, and, “Staged city assets will remain in place if any activities begin to escalate,” officials said.
The Illinois State Police, in a social-media post, said they are coordinating with city authorities.
“While we respect the Mexican Independence Day celebrations, public safety and the safety of our Illinois motorists are paramount,” ISP said. “We have added personnel including extra patrol troopers, specialty units, and air assets to assist where necessary. Car Caravans, pedestrians on the roadway, drifting, and any other illegal activity will not be tolerated on our expressways.”
Mexican Independence Day-related caravans have become a tradition in Chicago, much to the chagrin of other motorists and public safety officials who say the caravans can impede first responders. City officials have tried to straddle the line between allowing Mexican Americans to celebrate their heritage while discouraging traffic disruptions.
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