The Pride Parade draws in 'hundreds of thousands' to the Lakeview neighborhood every June. Just last year organizers say massive crowds packed the streets near Belmont and Halsted.
And you can see what she means by looking at this home video of the crowds from last year. People are nearly pressed up against the glass of one business.
"I was frightened by the fact that I saw people being pushed up against fences once I saw that I knew we had to make changes to this parade," Pride Parade Organizer Rich Pfeiffer, said.
Those changes include stretching the parade an additional 5 blocks, making it more accessible to multiple 'L' train stops, like Wilson, Sheridan and Addison.
The route will now start at Montrose and Broadway and run all the way down to Diversey Parkway and Cannon Drive.
Another concern the alderman addressed is the amount of alcohol on the streets of the parade. "Alcohol on the public way will not be tolerated; this is something we've heard for the past number of years is a vigorous crackdown," Tom Tunney, 44th ward alderman, said.
And with that crackdown, residents are hoping not to have a repeat of last year.
"It was crazy for me because I actually had to walk through it a couple of times because I went to go get some food and change. And it was just kind of like, overwhelming," Zoe Dufalt of the Hollywood Mirror, said.
This year's parade is on Sunday, June 24th and begins at 12:00 p.m. Additional information can be found on their website.
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:44:15 GMT
Skokie Police Chief Tony Scarpelli said Sunday police still have no suspect in custody in connection with a shooting Friday night near just outside of Westfield's Old Orchard Shopping Center.
Skokie Police Chief Tony Scarpelli said Sunday police still have no suspect in custody in connection with a shooting Friday night near just outside of Westfield's Old Orchard Shopping Center.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:10:22 GMT
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:56:43 GMT
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:32:45 GMT
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-19 15:50:06 GMT
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:52 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:52:09 GMT
Four people have been killed and at least 15 other people wounded -- including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition -- in shootings around the city since Friday night.
Four people have been killed and at least 15 other people wounded -- including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition -- in shootings around the city since Friday night.
