Letters: Road shutdown for NASCAR race makes life beyond difficult for nearby residents

Chicago Tribune

12-07-2025

My thanks to the Tribune Editorial Board for acknowledging the disruption NASCAR causes for the 50,000 residents of the Loop ('NASCAR should have a future in Chicago — if it's not held on Fourth of July weekend,' July 10). I live in Lake Shore East, and it is frustratingly difficult to get around while major roads are closed. I regularly travel on southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and during the days the southbound lanes are closed (from Randolph to McFetridge), I have to drive a circuitous route to 31st Street in order to get on the southbound drive.
As many as 155,000 motorists travel the drive every day, and all of those cars are forced off onto arterial roads. This is a maddening and illogical disruption. What event could possibly justify closing a major highway for days on end?
My beef is not with the people from NASCAR since they are simply doing what the city has allowed them to do. I have been in several community meetings with Julie Giese, the head of NASCAR Chicago, and she has consistently been responsive to input. My beef is with our mayor and my alderman who refuse to acknowledge how disruptive this event is for residents, workers, small business owners, visitors and travelers. Changing the date or demanding more money for the Park District is not going to change the basics — a street race does not belong in downtown Chicago.
Beginning in May and throughout the summer, major downtown roads are continually closed. When the roads opened after the Suenos music festival, they began closing for NASCAR. Now that roads are open after NASCAR, they will begin closing for Lollapalooza.
This is no way to run a downtown where 50,000-plus people live.While Chicago has seen some tourism benefits from our three years of NASCAR street races, the burden created by weeks of street closures, many rerouted buses and some businesses being unable to operate exceeds those benefits.
At least 18 bus routes experienced temporary changes due to NASCAR street closures, which has a disproportionate effect on heavily used South Side routes such as King Drive, Cottage Grove and Jeffery Jump. Passengers on those routes face significantly longer rides to and from downtown. All those extra buses on and near State Street create delays on streets where those buses are rerouted, affecting many additional bus routes.
Lane restrictions and delays on DuSable Lake Shore Drive make it harder for people who need to travel along the lakefront. Detoured car traffic has a major impact on State Street and adjacent streets. Too many people have their transportation disrupted and face significant delays and added stress due to NASCAR street closures. People are deprived of being able to use Grant Park for weeks of prime summer weather.
Crippling our downtown transportation network and access to the Museum Campus and Art Institute at peak tourist season makes no sense. Three years has been more than enough. No more NASCAR!Regarding last weekend's NASCAR event, no one has commented on the environmental impact from what took place. Air quality downtown, already contaminated, is further damaged by the exhaust from the racing cars. Furthermore, do hotels and restaurants prosper while the city's budgetary problems receive no help from this?
Also, in my opinion, this isn't 'entertainment' like musical presentations held in Grant Park.Ald. Walter Burnett has served the 27th Ward and the city of Chicago with distinction for about three decades. His leadership played a key role in the growth of the West Loop and in expanding affordable housing across the ward. If he steps into a new leadership role at the Chicago Housing Authority, it would mark the end of an era.
No one questions Burnett's impact on this city. That's what makes the reported push to install a successor — rather than let the voters decide — all the more disappointing. As recently confirmed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, he is actively considering Burnett for the CHA post, which would create a vacancy in the 27th Ward.
Chicagoans have seen how public trust can erode when political transitions are shaped by behind-the-scenes appointments instead of open elections. At a time when democracy feels fragile — nationally and locally — we should resist any appearance of political favoritism or nepotism, no matter who is involved.
This isn't about any one family, community or individual. It's about making sure the public — not political insiders — decides who represents them. If either of Burnett's sons wishes to serve, they should absolutely be encouraged to run. But they should earn that seat the same way their father did: by winning the support of the voters, not by being installed to serve a mayor's political agenda before the people have a chance to speak. We saw that with the appointment process in the 35th Ward.
Chicago has a chance to model democratic leadership — but that starts with letting the people of the 27th Ward choose their next alderman, not allowing City Hall to decide for them.I have lived in Chicago just a year, having moved here from another state. My review is that this city is both wonderful and horrible. I cannot watch the news anymore to hear who was been shot the night before — every day. About the causes, figure it out and correct it, or at least tell me about positive things making a difference. Hearing about another Chicago politician going to prison for corruption would bring smiles in the state where I lived while we would shake our heads
On the wonderful side of this city, I love the diversity, I love the beauty, I love the people who are helpful and friendly, I read the Tribune every day and like the letters, and so much more. I love being here and want things to be better for everyone.The June 29 editorial 'Why Chicago has a restaurant crisis' is a fantastic piece with great timing. I directly oversee the sourcing, purchasing, distribution and sale of more than 250 million pounds of perishable food service products annually for a food service/retail company serving a customer base of 95% independent operators. Every single day, just like our customers, cost impact is reviewed, and outcome scenarios are simulated.
It should be expected that our elected officials have the diligence and capacity to do the same. These shallow policies and the sweeping support thereof further validate that the City Council is flooded with officials who have never set eyes on a balance sheet and believe that businesses are funded by magic.