Last night, Mayor Lori Lightfoot declared a 9pm curfew in Chicago in an attempt to clear protesters from the Loop. This morning, the city has decided to shut down access to "the Central Business District and the Loop" to everyone except residents and essential employees whose businesses are located within the affected area. The boundaries of the restricted area are:
- Division Street from Lake Shore Drive to North Halsted Street
- North Halsted Street from Division Street to Milwaukee and Grand Avenues
- Milwaukee Avenue from Grand to Kinzie Avenues
- Canal Street from Kinzie to 26th Streets
- 26th Street from Canal Street to Lake Shore Drive
Due to the restrictions, CTA trains will not run into or out of the Loop and CTA bus service is suspended in the area between Western and the lakefront and from Fullerton to 47th Street.
During a press conference this morning, Mayor Lightfoot announced that at her request, Governor J.B. Pritzker has ordered a contingent of the National Guard to maintain a limited presence in the city. She also reiterated that Chicago's 9pm curfew will remain in effect until further notice.
The city is working with organizers of marches and demonstrations scheduled to take place today to offer an alternative location for peaceful demonstration.