Organizers: 2016 Chicago Pride Parade will be shorter, safer

CHICAGO (AP) - Organizers of Chicago's annual Pride Parade say they're changing the 2016 event to make it shorter and safer.

A permit application submitted to the city shows organizers are planning to have 150 entries - including vehicles, floats and marching groups - in the June parade. That's down from 200 this year.

Parade coordinator Richard Pfeiffer tells the Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/1Zq2pSh ) they also plan to double the number of security officers to deter excessive drinking and disorderly conduct.

In an email to the newspaper, Alderman Tom Tunney says people expressed concerns after the 2015 parade about traffic and congestion, cleanup and safety.

Aileen Tien is a board member of East Lake View Neighbors, where much of the parade route is located. She says she's very happy with the changes.