Downtown aldermen warn residents to prepare for Mexican Independence Day { Chicago }

Chicago aldermen are once again warning downtown residents and workers to be prepared for potential chaos ahead of this weekend’s Mexican Independence Day, a holiday that has increasingly turned into an unsanctioned takeover of the Loop and surrounding areas by car caravans. The warnings come as city officials brace for another year of traffic jams, fireworks, and noisy celebrations that have tested police and exasperated locals. CPD arrested 69 people during last year’s four-day weekend, including at least 19 for illegal gun possession. Aldermen Brian Hopkins (2nd) and Brendan Reilly (42nd), who represent much of the downtown area, have issued...