Women's March Chicago 2018: Speakers, Closed Streets And Schedule

CHICAGO, IL — Last year's Women's March on Chicago provided one of the indelible images of 2017 as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered for a rally downtown before a march in the Loop that ended in front of Trump International Hotel and Tower. The event was one of many "sister marches" held around the country to protest President Donald Trump's inauguration, and its success prompted organizers to plan a second march this year. The event will be Saturday, Jan. 20, starting at Grant Park and proceeding to Federal Plaza.

While Trump is still sure to be on the minds of participants this weekend — especially given his recent remarks concerning immigration — the president and his administration's policies won't be the sole focus this weekend. This year's rally is called "March to the Polls," and it will draw attention to March's midterm and November's gubernatorial elections in Illinois by helping to launch voter education programs. This will be the theme for the more than 350 events over the weekend around the world, too.

"If we want to see progress in this city, state, and country we need women's votes, voices, and leadership," march organizer Jessica Scheller said on the event's website after the second march was announced in October.

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Along with highlighting the elections and female leadership, the speakers and other presenters at Chicago's march will tackle the issues of workplace sexual harassment and assault that have been brought to the fore thanks to the #MeToo online movement. The rally also will address the challenges facing marginalized and minority groups, such as the LGBTQ community and immigrants, as well as spotlighting issues like affordable health care, racial justice and reproductive freedom.

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“We are excited about the event and the program. Our speakers will rally participants around issues that concern us all and that we see bubbling up on our social media,” said Emily Kraiem, Women’s March Chicago’s Social Media Director.

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Here's a look at what you can expect this year:

Women's March on Chicago 2018: The Basics

• When: Saturday, Jan. 20. Music will begin playing at 9 a.m., and rally presentations start at 11 a.m. The march is set to begin at 12:30 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Chicago. The rally starts at Grant Park, and the march will proceed from the park to the Federal Plaza.
• More Info: Go to the event's website for more details.

March Route

Starting at Grant Park, Congress Parkway and Columbus Drive, the march will travel on Congress to Michigan, north to Jackson Boulevard, then west to Dearborn Street. From there, the procession will move north to Randolph Street and west to Clark Street before heading south to Clark and ending at Federal Plaza, 219 S. Dearborn St.

A route for participants with disabilities will travel on Jackson Drive to Michigan Avenue.

Attending the Rally

Participants should enter Grant Park at Congress and Columbus. People with disabilities can enter the event at the southwest corner of Monroe Street and Columbus, and accessible viewing areas will be near the stage. Those first-come, first-serve locations will have special seating and will be near outlets for open captioning, ASL interpreters, assistive listening devices and audio description.

Street Closings

The following roads will be shut down between 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20:

● Columbus Drive, from Monroe Street to Balbo Drive
● Jackson Boulevard, from Lake Shore Drive to Michigan Avenue
● Congress Parkway — westbound lane — from Columbus to Michigan

Saturday Forecast and Warming Center

According to the National Weather Service, Saturday's forecast is expected to be mostly cloudly with a chance of rain, mainly after noon. The high temperature will be near 45.

The First United Methodist Church's Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St., will serve as a warming center for participants wanting to get out of the cold.

Rally Speakers and Performers

Before the march to Federal Plaza, Chicago actor and writer Fawzia Mirza will emcee the rally for the second year and introduce a variety of speakers and performances. Here are some of the people and groups scheduled to appear:

• Ari Asfar and cast members from "Hamilton"
• US Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th District) and Bill Foster (D-11th District)
• Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
• City Clerk Anna Valencia
• Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan
• Second City's She the People cast members
• DJ Heather
• Chakena Sims, member of the board of directors for Chicago Votes
• Deborah Lane and the Bryant Jones Choir
• Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer
• Michelle Mbekeani-Wiley of the League of Women Voters

The 2017 Women's March on Chicago (Photo by Joe Vince | Patch archive)