CPD to Hand Out $1K Fines to Those Caught With Open Alcohol at Pride Parade

Huge crowds — and the Stanley Cup — are expected to attend the 2015 Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday, prompting several street closings, added CTA service and increased security measures in an effort to control the impending celebratory madness. 

Chicago Police are cracking down this year, and have announced parade attendees caught with open containers of alcohol on streets and sidewalks will have to pay a hefty $1,000 fine.

The Pride Parade has been a staple in Boystown for years, but as the parade grew in popularity, it also grew in rowdiness. The stricter rules to be inforced this year are in effort to be able to keep the event in the neighborhood for years to come.

"If there is not a serious improvement in the parade's impact on surrounding residents' quality of life this year, the next step is to assemble an advisory group to make recommendations for moving the parade out of the Lakeview community," Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) and Ald. James Cappleman (46th) said in statement in April.

"If we do not see significant improvement this year, it may be the last year that the parade is in our community," the aldermen said in the statement. "Let's work together to ensure that the Pride Parade is a positive reflection of our pride in our neighborhood, city and LGBT community."

Street closings this year will start as early as 8 a.m. to accommodate the parade, which will step off at noon from Broadway and Montrose on the North Side. 

“Hundreds of thousands” of people are expected to flood the parade route as floats head south on Broadway to Halsted, south on Halsted, east on Belmont, south on Broadway and east on Diversey to Cannon Drive, according to the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication.

Crowds could also swell for the appearance of the Stanley Cup on WGN Radio’s float, tentatively 17th in the lineup, the station said in a statement. Its float will also have Blackwawks representatives and the Ice Crew.

Chicago Police are cracking down this year, and announed those with open containers of alcohol on streets and sidewalks will have to pay a $1,000 fine.

Street closures include Montrose, Irving Park and Wellington at Broadway and Addison, Grace and Roscoe at Halsted, OEMC said. Streets should fully reopen by 8 p.m., provided it’s deemed safe.

Officials suggest people take public transportation, and the CTA will provide additional bus and rail service on Sunday for the parade.

The Red and Brown lines will operate more frequently — the Red from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the Brown from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to the CTA. Additionally, the Brown, Blue and Orange Lines will have longer trains throughout the day.

The North Avenue, Fullerton, Belmont and Montrose buses will have increased service, the CTA said. But the parade will force other buses to reroute, including the Halsted, Clark, Broadway, Diversey, Belmont, Montrose, Irving Park, Sheridan and Addison routes. Check http://www.transitchicago.com/ for more information.

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