Cubs want to shut down Clark, Addison during home games

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The city is not playing ball with the Chicago Cubs' request to shut down two busy streets outside the Friendly Confines during home games.

The Cubs say it's a matter of security. The city says it would only add to the traffic congestion when the cubs play at home.

Thanks to Wrigley construction, It's already slow-going on Clark and Addison around the ballpark these days. But if the Cubs were to get their way, it would be no-going on game days. The Cubs say they want to close Clark and Addison during home games because of security concerns.

The Cubs say it's part of a Major League Baseball mandate for all teams to have a 100-foot perimeter for entrance to the ballpark. In order to comply, the Cubs would have to close the two major thoroughfares for several hours during 81 or so home games every year.

Joe Spagnoli says business at his bar Yak-Zies and others in Wrigleyville would suffer if the streets were closed.

A spokesperson for Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a statement saying, "Of course we are not going to shut down Clark and Addison. Safety and security are everyone's top concern, and we will work with the community, Alderman Tunney and the Cubs to achieve that without having to shut down two major roads in a neighborhood."

But the head of the East Lakeview Chamber of Commerce says they need to find a solution.