Catherwood LibraryILR School

Although New York City is unquestionably at the epicenter of the impact from yesterday's tragedies, the shockwaves have spread across the country as far away as Chicago and California. Like most major cities throughout the U.S. and the world, Chicago is still alert to the possibility of continuing terrorist attacks and is taking such precautions as keeping airports closed and instituting strict parking restrictions. These security measures are the only reason why some Chicagoans are not afraid to return to their jobs, while many say that they do not feel safe regardless of such measures. People cited a desire to see friends and colleagues, and to get out and do something besides worry, as reasons for going to work today. As the new of yesterday's events reached California yesterday morning, commuters stopped abruptly and reversed course to race home to their families. City streets were deserted, airports shut down, city, county, and federal offices closed, and the governor ordered state operations to relocate outside of the Capitol. Workers in San Francisco's Financial District evacuated, concerts and awards ceremonies were canceled or postponed, all major Hollywood studios closed for the day, and Disneyland closed down for the second time in its history---the only other being the day Kennedy was shot. Today things slowly began to return to normal, but federal buildings remain closed and heightened security precautions are still in affect throughout the state. Although some people felt that the closings and other precautions were a nuisance, many workers in high-profile areas felt that anything was possible and that it was better not to take any chances.