Different permit rules in different wards for Halloween block parties in Chicago

Requirements to close streets for trick-or-treating can vary across wards.

Chicago families seeking a block party permit for trick-or-treating can face different rules depending on which ward they live in.

The differences reflect aldermanic privilege, Chicago’s broader tradition of giving aldermen significant influence over decisions in their wards. Aldermen have used this privilege to influence zoning and development decisions, and the practice has complicated efforts to expand housing across Chicago.

The ward-level influence extends to the city’s block-party permit process, where some aldermen require neighborhood signatures or applications weeks in advance.

The Chicago Department of Transportation already imposes citywide restrictions. Permits are limited to one residential block for one day and cannot close arterial streets or bus routes.

While the department issues the permits, residents must apply through their alderman’s office, which can impose additional requirements before forwarding an application for approval.

Aldermanic privilege leaves residents in the same city facing different requirements.

Chicago’s 50 wards, sometimes different rules

The city requires applications to reach the transportation department at least three business days before an event, but aldermen can set additional requirements. For example:

• 1st Ward: Residents must collect signatures approving the block party from 50% of the affected block.
• 2nd Ward: Residents must complete a block party application packet no later than two weeks before the date and a block party petition with signatures from at least 51% of addresses on the block (unless your block has previously submitted application and petitions in past years).
• 19th Ward: Permits will be issued no later than two weeks before the block party.
• 46th Ward: Gather at least 25 signatures from neighbors in at least seven addresses on the block. Residents interested in hosting for the first time also need to include a petition signed by 60% of the buildings on the block.

Chicago neighborhoods approved close streets for Halloween

Residents have secured hundreds of permits to close streets during the upcoming Halloween weekend.

Chicago Department of Transportation records obtained Oct. 16 show 219 block party permits for Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. At least 43 applications mention Halloween, trick-or-treating or trunk-or-treat celebrations.

Closing residential streets allows children to trick-or-treat without passing traffic and gives neighbors room to celebrate together.

Different approaches to Halloween street closures

New York City announced 160 car-free streets and plazas for Halloween and fall celebrations throughout October through its Trick-or-Streets initiative.

Coordinated events with community organizations, schools and local partners provide designated spaces for trick-or-treating. But the initiative relies on government coordination and resources for celebrations that neighborhoods could organize themselves. Chicago instead allows residents to initiate block-party planning.

While a city-coordinated Halloween program shouldn’t be imposed on Chicagoans, aldermanic privilege should be removed from the block-party permitting process. Chicago families should not have to navigate different rules depending on their ward.