Let There be Night: Emanuel, Tunney Propose 46 Cubs Night Games

A new proposal by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) would allow the Chicago Cubs to play up to 46 night games at Wrigley Field starting next year.

Introduced to City Council Wednesday, the proposal would increase the number of night games from 30 to 40, in addition to allowing Major League Baseball to schedule six more night games to be aired on television.

In addition, the proposal allows the Cubs to schedule Friday afternoon games at 3:05 p.m. rather than 1:20 p.m., as well as host up to four concerts at the ballpark each season. Performers Jason Aldean and Pearl Jam have already been booked.

Changes to the Cubs schedule could come as early as next month..

While making room for additional concert dates at Wrigley Field was widely accepted by neighbors, adding more night games and moving Friday afternoon games to a later hour were not loved by some who cited neighborhood interruptions and traffic.

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“We have secured unprecedented neighborhood protections as a part of this framework committed to by the Cubs,” Tunney said. “These include—free and increased remote parking, increased security and neighborhood infrastructure improvements. … We continue to work with the Cubs, the Mayor’s Office and our community as the process moves forward.”

Additional parts of the new agreement include allowing the Cubs to use Sheffield Avenue between Addison Street and Waveland Avenue for a block party with alcohol and live music during games, and adding new stop lights down Clark Street in Lake View to control traffic.