Make a plan for future Mexican Independence Day celebrations
Most Chicago-area residents who flocked downtown between Friday and Monday to commemorate Mexican Independence Day had a good time, honking their horns and waving their green, white and red flags with pride.
A few motorists beeped in solidarity and many pedestrians may have smiled as the festive caravan of cars — some souped up with lights and revelers hanging out of the window — drove by.
But not everyone was OK with the revelry or how Chicago police handled the traffic congestion.
Some residents and workers in Ald. Brian Hopkins' 2nd Ward said they weren't allowed to drive through at designated checkpoints to get home or to their jobs. One person was forced to spend the night in their car.
We wouldn't call the police department a "complete failure" in this, as Hopkins has. But his concerns, as well as those of his constituents, are legitimate. There has to be a way to address them, so gridlock doesn't affect motorists — or more seriously, first responders — who need to be somewhere while festivities are taking place.
Chicagoans who just want to party safely and honor their heritage should also have their say, through alderpersons and community groups.
Veronica Villegas, who attended last weekend's El Grito Chicago festival in Grant Park, said it finally feels like the Mexican community is “starting to be accepted as part of the city” However, she told the Sun-Times she isn't a fan of some neighborhood street closures, like those in Little Village and Albany Park, designed to curb unsanctioned celebrations. El Grito came in response to some City Council members’ suggestion last year to designate one major downtown event to avoid any spontaneous chaos.
Here's one potential idea for city leaders looking to tweak plans for future Mexican Independence Day events: Designate a stretch of road — Cermak Road, for instance — for car caravans during a certain period of time. Revelers could flaunt colorful banners and souped-up rides in one spot, without disrupting traffic. Everyone has advance notice. No one's caught by surprise.
The city has about a year to work on a plan. That's ample time to make sure the Mexican community can fully celebrate, while those passing through aren't inconvenienced.
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