Neighborhood block parties are great fun and a terrific way to strengthen our community through social interaction!
Block Parties are recreational street closures for residents to hold an annual event for their street. Residents may apply to close their stretch of a residential side street between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Permits are issued by the Department of Transportation.
If this is your first time applying for a Block Party or you have not had one in the past two years, we ask that you circulate a petition among your neighbors demonstrating support for the event. A copy of this petition is included in the application packet.
We also ask that block parties not be held on Cubs games or festival weekends whenever possible – especially for those blocks in close proximity to Wrigley Field and festival grounds. Schedules can be obtained at www.cubs.com. Block Party Permits will not be issued on any arterial streets or on a bus route. They will also not be issued for more then one (1) day in succession or to close any street for a commercial purpose.
All applications and petitions must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the event. Please return completed applications to our office located at 3223 N. Sheffield or email a scanned copy directly to ward44@cityofchicago.org with the Subject Line: Attn: Esme – Block Party Application. Our office will forward the application to City Hall for approval and work with the Department of Streets and Sanitation to provide “No Parking” signs. It is required that the block party organizer flier cars on your block in advance of the party to inform neighbors.
Fire Engine Request Application
Please call 3-1-1 or send the completed Fire Department Request directly to the Chicago Fire Department Special Events Division. They will contact organizers directly in regards to their availability.
Jumping Jack Application
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is pleased to announce the 2017 Jumping Jack application will now be an on-line process. The easy on-line process is accessible by computer, smart phone or tablet. This new process will expedite handling applications more efficiently. Applicants will no longer have to wait several days/weeks to receive notification of availability.
Applications will no longer be accepted in paper form, email or fax.
A positive feature to this system is that applicants will not be able to select a date if that date has already reached capacity. This will help them immediately choose another date. All applicants will be notified via email within approximately 48 hours of their submission and followed up with a phone call to confirm delivery details.
The Jumping Jack Program will operate on Saturdays and Sundays only – from May 28th through August 28th. Once again, the Jumping Jack will be reserved for residential block parties only. Please remember, the Jumping Jack applications are accepted on a first come first applied basis with limited available units for each given day.
Click here to begin the application for a Jumping Jack request.