CHICAGO (CBS) — The upcoming Democratic National Convention is forcing residents near the United Center to change some of their plans, especially the plans of some of Chicago’s youngest and oldest residents.
Starting Saturday night, the Secret Service will only allow people with a ticket or valid ID into the DNC’s “hard” security zone.
Personal vehicles are prohibited in the zone. The disruptions are disrupting Sunday church services at the 139-year-old West Side Community Church, which sits on the edge of the hard perimeter at Adams and Damen.
The pastor said he has moved next Sunday’s service to another church because the safety restrictions and road closures will likely be too much for his congregation.
Dr. Walter McCray agrees. He attends The Greater Union Baptist Church, across the street from the United Center. There is currently a tent in the parking lot that his congregation uses.
Many of them are elderly and have difficulty walking, so a ban on private cars will not work, he said.
“We’re right up against, let’s say, the limits of what the United Center/DNC does, so we felt we had to make some good decisions and decided to go virtual,” McCray said.
DNC safety precautions are also causing Chicago Public Schools to change their plans. Classes won’t start until after the DNC, but sports practices have already begun.
All high schools in the Chicago Public League are moving preseason practice next week from 7 a.m. to noon.
Lauren Victory
