Public Safety Reminders For Inauguration Day
The 46th President of the United States of America, Joseph R. Biden Jr., will be sworn in tomorrow, Wednesday, January 20, 2021 on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building. Both the Vice President-Elect, Kamala Harris, and President-Elect will take Oaths of Office, which usually takes place at 11AM CST, followed by the traditional inaugural address.
In-person attendance is limited to Congress due to safety protocols designed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Starting this week and running through at least Inauguration Day, armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols and at the U.S. Capitol, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Here at home, the City of Chicago is prepared for any public gatherings or civil unrest that may occur throughout the city during the Inauguration to ensure the safety and welfare of our citizens:
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will be activating its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) from 6AM on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 until 6AM on Thursday, January 21, 2021 for the Presidential Inauguration. The hours and dates of activation are subject to change based on operational need.
Real-time communication will continue through CHIBIZ Alerts and email notifications. Residents can receive Notify Chicago emergency alerts by subscribing to Chicago’s text or email alert system; businesses can opt-in to receive emergency alerts by texting CHIBIZ to 6-7-2-8-3.
City infrastructure departments in Chicago will mobilize if necessary, based on actions unfolding throughout the city & country. Infrastructure departments will provide trucks, barricades, cones, tow trucks and postings, as necessary.
Chicago’s City Hall (121 North LaSalle Street) and the Cook County Building (69 West Washington Street) will be closed to the public on Wednesday, January 20 as a precautionary step to ensure public safety throughout the day. At this time, OEMC and the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) are not aware of any activity being planned in Chicago. The closure of City Hall and the Cook County Building is a purely precautionary measure and we anticipate the City of Chicago will remain peaceful.
Additionally, the following planned and permitted public gatherings are taking place tomorrow. Please note that none are scheduled to take place in the West Loop:
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 @ 10AM:
Rally & Car Caravan, Cook County Courthouse (26th Street & California Avenue)
The group will assemble regarding their campaign "Free Them All - Drop the Charges - Court Support."Wednesday, January 20, 2021 @ 12-4PM:
Rally, Thompson Center (100 West Randolph Street)
The group will assemble regarding their campaign "America First - Biden's Not My President Rally."Wednesday, January 20, 2021 @ 1PM:
Rally & March, Plaza Tenochtitlan (18th Street & Blue Island Avenue)
The group will assemble regarding their campaign "National Call to Action - #FreeTheKidsInCages #StopFamilySeparation."
As always, the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) advocates for a Chicago that is safe for everyone, everywhere; and we recognize the right to peaceful public assembly as enshrined in the Illinois Constitution's Bill of Rights, Article I, Section 5: “The people have the right to assemble in a peaceable manner, to consult for the common good, to make known their opinions to their representatives and to apply for redress of grievances.”
In the event your business and/or home are located along routes used for public assembly, in efforts to allow for safe passage, temporarily relocate any items and/or vehicles within or near the public way. And as CPD recommends: if an incident is in progress and the on-site presence of a local authority is necessary, please dial 911. If an incident occurs and the suspected offender(s) is/are no longer at the scene, please dial 311.
We thank you for staying vigilant. For 232 years, the peaceful transition of power has been a hallmark and symbol of American democracy. Tomorrow, we hope you join us in welcoming a new presidential administration, and we wish everyone a safe and happy Inauguration Day.