Congress Theater

The management and ownership of the Congress Theater strive to provide our patrons and the surrounding community the safest, cleanest and most welcoming environment possible.  We put considerable effort and resources into security and safety inside and outside the theater, including traffic management, parking, pre/during/post show crowd control, patron restrictions, searches, alcohol consumption management, conflict resolution, emergency medical issues, fire safety, evacuation procedures, staffing
Our staff utilizes radios, cell phones, hand gestures and bullhorns to communicate with each other and the audience during shows.  Management regularly attends CAPS and other community meetings to garner resident feedback and make adjustments to our operations to benefit the community.  14th District CPD officers regularly perform inspections and provide assistance to our in-house security staff.

Check out the 14th District CAPS website:

Prior to shows, management provides the 14th district CAPS office as well as the 1st Ward Alderman’s Office detailed information on all shows on a monthly basis, providing estimated audience sizes, social characteristics, performance times and other relevant information to police operations and likely resident and business issues.  During shows, all issues involving police or EMS actions are documented on incident reports, which are kept on file in the Congress Theater security office.

Crowd Control

We have a variety of standard procedures for managing patron activities prior to, during and after performances at the Congress Theater.

Pre-Show
Security staff is generally employed 3-4 hours prior to every show to ensure that ticket lines are formed properly and behavior is monitored outside the building.  Staff is brought in earlier in cases where we can reasonably predict that a significant number of patrons will arrive to the theater at an earlier time, especially for ‘All Ages’ shows.  Regular announcements are made informing customers of ticket issues, venue rules and other pertinent issues.

Upon entering the theater, male and female patrons are thoroughly searched for prohibited items.  Prohibited items primarily consist of: weapons, items that could be potentially used as weapons, any gang-related clothing, food, drugs or drug paraphernalia.  Any prohibited items are confiscated and those patrons are immediately ejected and/or turned over to the Chicago Police. Prohibited clothing and otherwise legal items must be taken from theater or checked at our coat check.    

Also, upon entry, if appropriate, patrons are asked to present ID should the show type and show time limit certain ages from attending.  At this time patrons 21 yrs. or over may also provide valid ID and receive wristbands or hand stamps that allow them to purchase alcohol. 

In-Show
Prior to and during performances security and management constantly monitor and maintain open, clean and safe halls, entrances and exits, with particular attention to maintaining access to and visibility of all fire and emergency exits.  Barricades are used in some places to route traffic and restrict access to equipment and certain areas between the artists and audience.  Only staff members are allowed access to bar service and supply areas.  Staff are positioned in all areas of the building to monitor traffic flow and activity.  Also, some staff patrol the building seeking out prohibited activity that may be going on out of plain sight.

Post-Show
At the conclusion of all shows, security immediately begins to usher patrons from the premises, starting at the stage end of the building and directing them towards the main exits on the Milwaukee Ave. and Rockwell Ave. sides of the building.  Once all customers have been cleared from the building patrons are instructed to refrain from loitering in front of the theater and to begin making their way to their next destination.   

Alcoholic Beverage Consumption

All applicable federal, state and local laws are obeyed in regards to the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages.  All bartenders are trained and BASSET or TIPS certified.  Customers may only purchase alcoholic beverages after presenting valid ID.  Bartenders are instructed to only serve patrons with wristbands or stamps, and they reserve the right to verify ID at purchase.  Bartenders may refuse service to anyone who becomes over-intoxicated.  In extreme cases, they are turned over to paramedics and/or Chicago Police for evaluation.  Anyone providing alcohol to minors is immediately ejected, and in some cases, turned over to CPD.  Minors found to be drinking alcohol are immediately ejected, unless they are found to be intoxicated.  If they are found to have consumed alcohol in excess, they are evaluated by paramedics and held until an adult can pick them up, or a sufficient amount of time has passed that the effects of the alcohol wear off. 

Conflict Resolution

Violence and/or property damage are not tolerated inside or outside the theater.  Security personnel deal with any instances swiftly.  Anyone found to be fighting or damaging property is immediately ejected.  In all instances, verbal warnings are issued and non-violent resolutions are sought.  In cases where customers must be forcibly removed, care is taken to avoid injury on the part of patrons and staff.  Once they are removed from the theater, CPD is called in if they remain violent and/or they refuse to leave the area of the theater.  

Fire Prevention, Emergency Medical Issues and Disaster Planning

Great care is taken to ensure the safety of our customers.  The following message is read at the beginning of every performance: “Welcome to the Congress Theater.  Please take a moment to familiarize yourself will all emergency exits located in the theater, hallways bathrooms and the lobby.  In the event of an emergency, use the nearest available exit.  Please immediately notify the Congress staff if you see any obstructed exit.  Thank you for your cooperation.”

Fire Prevention & Safety
The Congress Theater building and our fire suppression systems are regularly inspected and tested by the Chicago Fire Department and theater operations staff.  Any system not found to be in compliance is immediately repaired or replaced.  The obstruction of any fire exit or exit sign is strictly prohibited.  A fire curtain on the main stage closes off the stage from the rest of the theater in the event of fire.  Pyrotechnics and any use of open flames are strictly prohibited.  Inspection reports are kept on file in the Congress Theater operations office.

Emergency Medical Issues
Patrons who become ill or are injured are immediately assisted by staff and security.  On-site EMS deal with any minor ailments or injuries.  If EMS are unavailable, or a customer is facing a serious medical issue or unconscious, ambulances are called in so that they may be transported safely to the nearest hospital.  Incidents reports are completed for any serious injuries, and are kept on file in the Congress Theater security office.

Disaster Planning
In the event of any natural or man-made emergency, performances will be suspended and all patrons will be instructed to exit through the nearest emergency exit, unless Congress staff is instructed otherwise by City of Chicago public safety officials.   

Staffing
Top Notch Security provides staffing for all Congress Theater events.  They are a Licensed Private Security Contractor with the State of Illinois through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.  All employees are trained and PERC certified to deal with any and all security issues.  For some performances, outside security contractors are used by promoters to secure their interests and provide protection for their talent and staff.  In those instances, Top Notch is still employed to monitor the premises and maintain a safe environment for patrons and staff.  No weapons of any kind are used or employed by staff under any circumstances.  

Traffic Management and Parking
Congress Theater uses a variety of measures to ensure the clean and convenient flow of automobile and human traffic around the theater.  Those include:

Signage & Announcements
Signs posted in front of the venue, on the corner of Francis Pl. and at the entrance to the Chase School parking lot inform drivers on how to access parking, relieving the parking burden on the surrounding community.  Our website also encourages patrons to not show up early, be respectful of our neighbors and take public transportation.  There is comprehensive information on pubic transportation options and public safety recommendations for our patrons.  Finally, security staff makes periodic vocal announcements to incoming patrons on where and when to enter the theater.

Barricades and Stanchions
Barricades and stanchions are used in a variety of places to control traffic and crowds.  A set is used in the traffic lane in front of the theater to guarantee a clean and safe barrier between traffic and pedestrians.  This set of barricades also prevents vehicles from blocking the front of the theater, keeping a safe exit lane open for patrons, as well as preventing cars from blocking through traffic on Milwaukee Ave.  A set is also used as a queue to organize ticket lines into a compact area on the sidewalk on the Rockwell side of the building.  This keeps patrons off of the main thoroughfare, but also keeps them from crossing over on to the sidewalks adjacent to our residential neighbors.  Once this queue is full, lines are directed along the Milwaukee Ave. commercial corridor heading north from the theater to minimize the impact on residents and businesses.  Street closures on Rockwell Ave., adjacent to the theater are occasionally used to provide parking to touring vehicles and tractor-trailers, minimizing the impact on parking in the surrounding area.

Parking Staff
Our trained staff is proactive in managing traffic issues around the theater.  In addition to managing the placement of ticket lines, they guide patrons across thoroughfares, keeping traffic lanes open and providing direction on where patrons should go to gain entry.  They also do regular sweeps of the sidewalks and alleys surrounding the venue, ensuring they are free of loiterers and vehicle traffic.  Finally, they disperse crowds immediately from the premises at the conclusion of shows and discourage loitering in the immediate vicinity by those who have left the show.  Parking staff monitor the lot at Chase School to prevent theft and to assist patrons in leaving the lot in a efficient, safe manner.