Record #: R2023-795   
Type: Resolution Status: Introduced
Intro date: 5/31/2023 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety
Final action:
Title: Call for Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety to hold hearing on traffic safety and pedestrian safety impacts of street closures for NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 and NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 121 Chicago Street Race
Sponsors: La Spata, Daniel , Robinson, Lamont J. , Cruz, Ruth, Vasquez, Jr., Andre, Reilly, Brendan, Conway, William
Topic: COMMITTEE/PUBLIC HEARINGS - Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety
Attachments: 1. R2023-795.pdf

Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety

May 31, 2023 City Council Meeting

RESOLUJION

WHEREAS, during the weekend of July 1 - 2, 2023, NASCAR will be hosting the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 and the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 121 Chicago Street Race; and,

WHEREAS, to prepare for these events, NASCAR is coordinating with the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, and other agencies, to implement a traffic plan that will result in numerous street closures, traffic restrictions, and alternative routes; and,

WHEREAS, on June 2, 2023, at 6:00 AM, towing of vehicles will begin along affected routes that include parking restrictions and other traffic restriction signage; and,

WHEREAS, the earliest street closures include Ida B Wells Drive, between Michigan Avenue and Columbus drive, beginning June 10, 2023; Balbo Drive, between Columbus Drive and Jean-Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, as well as Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, beginning June 19, 2023; northbound and southbound Columbus Drive, between Roosevelt Road and Jackson drive, beginning June 25, 2023; Jackson Drive, between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, beginning June 25, 2023; and Congress Circle, between Harrison Street and Van Buren Street, beginning June 26, 2023; and,

WHEREAS, additional street closures include southbound Jean-Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, between McFetridge Drive and Randolph Street, beginning June 28, 2023; northbound Jean-Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, between McFetridge Drive and Randolph Street, beginning July 1, 2023; Jackson Drive, between Columbus Drive and Jean- Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, beginning June 28, 2023; Roosevelt Road, between Columbus Road and Jean-Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, beginning June 29, 2023; Roosevelt Road, between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive, beginning June 29, 2023; northbound Michigan Avenue, between Balbo Drive and Jackson Drive, beginning June 29, 2023, and southbound Michigan Avenue, between Jackson Drive and Roosevelt Road, beginning June 30, 2023; and,

WHEREAS, local access only will be provided on the following streets between June 29, 2023, and July 5, 2023, between Wabash Street and Michigan Avenue: 8th Street, 9lh Street, 11th Street, Balbo Drive, Harrison Street, and Ida B. Wells Drive; and,

WHEREAS, local access only will be provided on the following streets between June 29, 2023, and July 5, 2023: northbound Michigan Avenue, between Roosevelt Road and Balbo Drive; southbound Michigan Avenue, between Monroe Street and Jackson Drive; and Van Buren Street, between Wabash Street and Michigan Avenue; and,

WHEREAS, the majority of Grant Park is included within the boundaries of these traffic closures, potentially impeding pedestrian access to the park and Lakefront Trail during these closures, and,

WHEREAS, these traffic closures will impact surface street automobile and bicycle traffic through South Loop, the Loop, and central business district more generally; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, We, the Chicago City Council, gathered on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, do hereby call the Chairman of the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety to call a hearing on the traffic safety impacts and pedestrian safety impacts of the aforementioned street closures for the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 and the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 121 Chicago Street Race; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this hearing shall include the relevant representatives of NASCAR; the City of Chicago Departments most appropriately tasked with implementing these traffic closures and maintaining pedestrian and traffic safety throughout the closures; the Chicago Park District personnel most appropriately tasked with maintaining pedestrian access through Grant Park and to the Lakefront Trail; and the most appropriate Chicago Transit Authority personnel most appropriately tasked with demonstrating the impacts any street closures will have on delivering reliable public transit service.