O'Hare, Midway brace for spring break crush amid shutdown chaos
By Justin Kaufmann
Published on March 19, 2026.
Chicago Public Schools' spring break is expected to result in a surge in passengers, with nearly 4 million expected to pass through O'Hare and Midway between Friday and March 30, a 10% increase from the same period last year. This comes as the federal shutdown enters its second month and there is no clear path to a deal in Congress. United Airlines expects to serve 27 million customers worldwide from March 6-April 27, setting a new record for the airline. Despite this, the shutdown could create new headaches, including potential TSA staffing shortages. The airports will host live musicians in select terminals to alleviate travel stress.
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