From May 20-21, 2012, leaders from around the world will convene in Chicago for the 25th NATO summit hosted by President Obama. This is the first time a city in the United States other than Washington D.C. has hosted a NATO summit, and Chicago leaders are proud to showcase the city as a vital economic and cultural center. More than 60 heads of state and government will meet at McCormick Place to discuss security and stability concerns and address global challenges. The event is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the city, including journalists from across the world as well as protestors from across the country.
While the summit will be closed to the public, the Chicago NATO Host Committee has been planning ways to inform and engage Chicago residents through a variety of sport, culinary, and cultural programs. In addition, policy lectures will be provided to Chicagoans as an opportunity to learn about NATO and hear from government officials and foreign policy leaders. You can find a calendar of events here.
With the city welcoming heads of state from participating NATO countries, security in Chicago will be tight. Navigating the city throughout the weekend and the Monday workday may be difficult, so keep up to date with road closures, transportation reroutes, and security measures:
Road Closures and Traffic Alerts
CTA Alerts
Metra Alerts
Learn more:
What is the focus of the 25th summit?