How to navigate the Des Plaines area during Cardinal George's burial service
Cardinal Francis George's funeral procession is expected in Des Plaines about 3 p.m. Thursday as a motorcade of some 20 cars makes its way to All Saints Cemetery. River Road, from Central to Golf roads, will close about that time to accommodate the arrival of the funeral procession.
The cardinal's committal service at All Saints will be open to the public.
Des Plaines Police Chief Bill Kushner said only those with a parking pass issued by the Archdiocese of Chicago will be allowed to drive to the east side of the cemetery. Others are encouraged to park on the west side, and cemetery personnel will direct them to the public viewing of the burial.
Attendees can enter the west side of the cemetery from Central Road, Kushner said.
The cemetery gates to the east side will open at 2:30 p.m.
The procession will be coming from east Dempster Street, to Rand Road, then to River and the cemetery, following the conclusion of the cardinal's funeral Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. Intermittent street closures are expected along the procession route.
Officials are estimating a crowd of about 400 at the committal service.
“We're prepared whether it's 400 or 4,000,” Kushner said.