Traffic to O’Hare resumes after protest shuts down OB I-190
CHICAGO — Traffic to O’Hare International Airport has resumed after a protest shut down all lanes of outbound Interstate Interstate 190 Monday morning.
Pro-Palestinian protestors held a demonstration that blocked the I-190 ramp to O’Hare towards the domestic terminals. According to a flyer, the protests were to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
“A big inconvenience for everybody,” said Sam Barlow, who was picking someone up at the airport. “Very frustrated people. They are honking, switching from one lane to another just unbelievable.”
Major traffic delays remained in the area and to the airport terminals after the protest.
Photos of the protestors capture them sitting across the roadway with their arms interlocked.
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Video provided by WGN Sports Anchor Jarrett Payton shows people walking to their terminal to avoid missing their flight due to the messy traffic situation.
Protestors are blocking all lanes going into @fly2ohare. People are walking to the terminal and I might have to get out and walk as well. @WGNNews #ChicagoTraffic pic.twitter.com/3iNMy6og4b
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) April 15, 2024
Alternate transportation routes were advised.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker shared his thoughts on the shutdown at an unrelated event.
“Well, first of all, I support the idea that people should express their First Amendment rights and protest if they would like to. I do not think that they should disrupt the traffic of people trying to get from one place to another.”
On Monday evening, protesters shut down the intersection of Adams and LaSalle.
Chicago police said at least 14 people were taken into custody at that protest.
Similar images played out across the country from Seattle to New York in what protestors called an economic blockade for Palestine.
An Illinois State Representative said he plans to file a bill that would establish stiffer penalties for people who block traffic while protesting.
State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) said Monday that he expects to file a bill that would stiffen the penalties protesters could face if they block traffic during their demonstrations.
It is currently unclear what the stiffer penalties would look like.
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