SOUTH LOOP — People parking in the South Loop during Chicago Bears, Sky or DePaul games might need a special permit or face the prospect of getting towed.
Event parking restrictions near Soldier Field have been expanded to accommodate concerts and games at the new Wintrust Arena, 200 E. Cermak Road.
The restrictions will be enforced two hours before each event and last through one hour after, according to new signs posted near the arena. The arena kicks off its schedule with a concert by Mavis Staples and Bob Dylan Friday night.
The event parking permits are free and should have already been distributed to South Loop residents who have residential zone parking stickers, a spokesman for Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) said. Residents should have also received guest passes.
Those without an event parking permit will need to park in private lots or one of the lots at McCormick Place during events at the arena or Soldier Field.
Even those who park at a meter and pay the posted rate must still have a special event parking pass, as do those with residential zone passes.
Such restrictions were already in place between Roosevelt and Cermak roads from the lake to Clark Street during Bears games. The restrictions have since been expanded south to the Stevenson Expy. per a new ordinance that passed the City Council recently.
The McCormick Place lots start at $15 per day.
RELATED: New DePaul Arena Means New Street Closures, One-Ways In South Loop
