Chicago DNC 2024 security fences coming down, streets reopening as officials celebrate success

The build-up leading to the DNC comes amid the legal battle between the City of Chicago and groups hoping to protest during the DNC.

The Coalition to March on the DNC, along with the US Palestinian Community Network, say the city is allowing its members to protest at Union Park and Park 578 near the UC, but without the use of stages, tents and sound equipment, citing safety concerns.

The organizations say the city is allowing its members to protest, but has put in place what they're calling "unreasonable" conditions that make it - "impossible for their messages to be heard."

Those conditions include no stages, tents, or sound equipment all because of safety concerns.

ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington says that legal battle could have an effect on protestors next week.

"It's in court, but if the protest groups come away unhappy they might be a bit rowdier than we expect next week, we'll see," Washington said.

And also happening Thursday, more groups planning to protest are due in court for a hearing.

They filed a lawsuit against Chicago, saying the city violated their First Amendment rights when it rejected an application to march near the United Center.

The city instead offered an alternate protest route, three miles from the convention, so that protests wouldn't encroach on the Secret Service secure perimeter.

This week a judge ruled that route was OK, but arguments continue about additional permits.

More than 200 organizations are planning to protest next week.

The legal battle is intensifying between groups trying to protest at the DNC and the city of Chicago.

The DNC just four days away and security preparations continue as the candidates are on the campaign trail.

As delegates start to arrive in Chicago, ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington talked about what should people expect from the convention, from the protests, the speakers and if Vice President Kamala Harris will outline specific policies.

ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington talks about what to expect at next week's DNC.

The security perimeter fencing build-out around the United Center and McCormick Place began Monday. This is the schedule for build-outs, installation and rolling closures:

United Center

Tentative Security Perimeter Fencing Buildout

Monday, August 12: 6 a.m. No Parking (in curb lanes) in all build areas along the security perimeter.
Monday, August 12 - Saturday, August 17: 8 a.m. Fencing staging and install begins, expect rolling curb lane, full street and alley closures as needed
Saturday, August 17 United Center street closures begin at 7 p.m. along the restricted perimeter (security enforced).

Fencing Staging and Install - Parking Restrictions and Street Closures

Monday Build out on Washington: Damen to Wood, Wolcott between Washington & Warren; Paulina: Monroe to Adams
Tuesday Build out on Washington: Damen to Wood; Wood: Washington to Warren; Warren between Wood and Paulina
Wednesday Build out on Damen: Washington to Warren; Warren: Damen to Hoyne; Hoyne: Warren to Madison
Thursday Build out on Adams: Damen to Wood
Friday Build out on Madison: Hoyne to Seeley; Seeley: Madison to Adams; Damen: Adams to Jackson; Monroe: Wood to Paulina.

Friday, August 23 1 a.m. Take Down begins. Once complete, streets will open.

McCormick Place

Tentative Security Perimeter Fencing Buildout

Monday, August 12 6 a.m. No Parking (in curb lanes) in all build areas along the security perimeter; 9 a.m. Fencing staging begins, expect rolling curb lane full street closures.
Tuesday, August 13 - Friday, August 16 12:01 a.m. Fencing install begins, expect rolling curb lane, full street and alley closures as needed.
Friday, August 16 10 p.m. McCormick Place Street Closures begin, restricted perimeter (security enforced).

Fencing Staging and Install Parking Restrictions and Street Closures

Tuesday Build out on 24th Place: Michigan to McCormick Place; Indiana: 24th Place to 24th St; 24th St; Michigan to Indiana; Michigan: 24th Place to 25th St.; MLK Drive: McCormick to 25th St.
Wednesday Build out on Indiana: 24th Place to Cermak; Cermak: Indiana to McCormick; 25th St at MLK Dr & McCormick
Thursday Build out on McCormick: Cermak to MLK Dr.

Thursday, August 22 6 p.m. Take down begins. Once complete, streets will open.

A large area around the United Center and McCormick Place have been closed by law enforcement and the Secret Service. As a result, there are rolling street closures and parking restrictions all week in the lead-up to the DNC kickoff.

The first round of parking restrictions went into place Monday around the United Center including:

• Washington between Damen and Wood
• Wolcott between Washington and Warren
• Paulina between Monroe and Adams

On Wednesday fencing started going up around the United Center and McCormick Place. Parking restrictions will continue through Aug. 25.

Around the United Center, authorities said they will start enforcing the security restrictions and vehicular restrictions in the yellow area and credentialed pedestrian restrictions in the red zone on Saturday night.

Around McCormick Place, enforcement of similar restrictions starts on Friday night.