Shutdown Impacts Chicago Airports: How to Check TSA Wait Times

Travelers face long TSA lines as partial government shutdown continues, with limited real-time data available.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The ongoing partial government shutdown is reportedly causing hour-long TSA lines at major airports, including Chicago's O'Hare and Midway. With the TSA website and mobile app not being actively updated, travelers must rely on other sources to check for current security wait times, flight delays, and cancellations.

Why it matters

The partial shutdown of the federal government has led to staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration, resulting in significant delays for travelers at airports across the country. This is particularly problematic for major hubs like Chicago, which sees high volumes of air traffic.

The details

Due to the lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA, about 50,000 airport security screeners are now working without pay. This has led to wait times of up to three hours at some major airports, causing missed flights and massive delays. The TSA website and mobile app are not being actively updated during the shutdown, making it difficult for travelers to access real-time information on security wait times.

  • The partial government shutdown began on February 13, 2026.
  • As of March 10, 2026, the shutdown has been ongoing for nearly four weeks.

The players

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that oversees the Transportation Security Administration and other border agencies.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The agency responsible for airport security screening, which is currently operating with reduced staffing due to the partial government shutdown.

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What’s next

As the partial government shutdown continues, travelers should monitor the status of their flights and plan for potential delays at Chicago's airports. The situation remains fluid, and it's unclear when the TSA website and mobile app will be fully operational again.

The takeaway

The partial government shutdown has had a significant impact on air travel, with travelers facing long TSA lines and limited access to real-time information on wait times and flight status. This underscores the importance of government agencies like the TSA in maintaining the smooth operation of the nation's transportation infrastructure, and the need for policymakers to find a resolution to the ongoing budget impasse.