A chain-reaction crash involving about 40 vehicles shut down part of the Kennedy Expressway Sunday morning.
The initial crash happened at about 10:15 a.m. in the southbound lanes near the Ohio exit, Illinois State Police said, citing preliminary information. The accident caused more than 30 other vehicles to crash all the way up to North Avenue, police said.
Twelve people were transported to area hospitals, including one firefighter who slipped and fell, fire officials said. At least 59 others refused treatment at the scene.
Firefighters shut down all inbound traffic from Ohio as officials worked to clear the scene.
Traffic was temporarily rerouted off the expressway at Armitage Avenue and reversible lanes were closed, officials said. As of 5:40 p.m. all lanes were open.
Slippery road conditions caused by lake effect snow played a role in the crash, police said. Earlier Sunday morning, city officials warned drivers to avoid Lake Shore Drive due to snow, ice and blowing snow conditions.
None of the injuries were believed to be life threatening, police said.
