June 28, 2024

Alderman Reilly Reports

Alderman Reilly's Office Closed on July 4th in Observance of Independence Day

Please be advised that Alderman Reilly's 42nd Ward Office, Chicago Public Libraries, and other government offices will be closed on Independence Day (Thursday, July 4) to comply with the City of Chicago mandatory holiday schedule.

If you have a need for city services, please call 311 for non-emergency requests, or dial 911 if you require immediate assistance.

New City Council Subcommittee on Revenue

Last year, Mayor Brandon Johnson created a City Council Subcommittee on Revenue to float new tax ideas and investigate increasing current taxes. This Subcommittee had its first public hearing on Wednesday, June 26, and proposed 16 different tax increases.

At the meeting, Alderman Reilly criticized Mayor Johnson’s Administration for not identifying budget cuts and efficiencies before seeking to raise or create new taxes.

Since taking office in 2007, the Alderman has been a vocal proponent of decreasing government spending and deploying zero based budgeting. Click here to listen to Alderman Reilly’s comments at the Subcommittee Meeting (Skip to 1:41:05).

NASCAR Chicago Street Race Information

The NASCAR Street Race is scheduled for Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7. Visit NASCAR’s website to learn about race weekend activities.

Signage for parking restrictions along the race route has already been posted. Street closures began on Saturday, June 10 and will last until Thursday, July 18. Please click here for a complete list of street closures.

Effective Monday, July 1: RPP Zone 1189 Violations Are Towable

As of Monday, July 1, Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Zone 1189 violations are towable offenses. Please make sure to purchase a RPP Zone 1189 permit or daily pass if you plan to use the Zone.

Residents can check eligibility to purchase RPP Zone 1189 permits and daily passes on the City Clerk’s website. RPP Zone 1189 permits and passes can be purchased online or at City Hall located at 121 N LaSalle Street, Room 107.

Please note, purchasing RPP Zone 1189 permits or daily passes does not excuse residents or guests from paying meter fees during the day (8am-6pm). Meter fees must be paid during the day or the vehicle’s owner is subject to receiving a citation.

Important Information Regarding Upcoming Larrabee Street Changes:

1-Way Configuration Between Erie & Superior

Our office asked Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Traffic Engineers to conduct a traffic study on North Larrabee Street, between West Erie Street and West Superior Street – due to reports of wrong-way drivers, vehicles not stopping at stop signs, and gridlock traffic.

In response to our request, CDOT recommended making the following changes to improve the flow of traffic and enhance pedestrian safety:

Two-way to one-way (northbound) conversion of North Larrabee Street, between West Erie Street and West Superior Street
Detached curb extensions at the northeast corners of North Larrabee Street at West Huron Street and West Superior Street
Speed hump installation on North Larrabee Street, between West Huron Street and West Superior Street

On Monday, July 8, CDOT will complete the two-way to one-way (northbound) conversion of North Larrabee Street, between West Erie Street and West Superior Street (weather dependent). During the reconfiguration process, North Larrabee Street will remain open to vehicular traffic.

Alderman Reilly has asked 18th District Commander Michael Barz (LINK TO LETTER) to assign a patrol squad to North Larrabee Street to prevent wrong-way drivers.

Additionally, the Alderman has authorized a portion of the Aldermanic Menu to fund the installation of the two curb extensions and a speed hump at this location. CDOT has completed installation of the speed hump and will install the curb extensions later this year.

Alderman Reilly is confident that CDOT’s recommended changes will increase safety and reduce traffic congestion in the area.

42nd Ward Blood Drive: Saturday, July 20th

In conjunction with the Fourth Presbyterian Church, Alderman Reilly is hosting a Blood Drive on Saturday, July 20 from 10am to 2pm. The event will take place at 126 East Chestnut Street in the Borwell Dining Room (1st floor).

Walk-ins are welcome but we encourage you to schedule an appointment. Please see the flyer below for more information.

A member of Alderman Reilly’s staff will be present to answer any questions.

River North Lighting Program

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be installing new light poles in the River North neighborhood in the coming weeks. The lighting improvements are occurring within the area bounded by Chicago Avenue, Orleans Street, Larrabee Street, and Ontario Street.

This work will include infrastructure trenching and helix foundation and pole installation. Please note: This work will disrupt planter beds within the parkway.

CDOT will begin working on Hudson, between Chicago and Erie next week. After that, CDOT will move to the following streets:

Huron, from Kingsbury to Sedgwick
Kingsbury, Ontario to Chicago
Huron from Larrabee to Kingsbury
Superior from Larrabee to Kingsbury
Erie from Larrabee to Kingsbury

Please contact CDOT if your building has plantings, irrigation systems, or electrical components in a planter. You will need to remove anything you do not want damaged by the light pole installation.

If you have any questions please contact Christopher Quinlan, General Foreman of the project, at Christopher.Quinlan@cityofchicago.org.

Gold Coast Water Main Project

This month, the Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) started restoration on N Rush St from E Oak St to E Walton to replace the sidewalk, subbase and curb.

North Rush St from E Chestnut to E Walton will be closed to traffic during working hours, except for the garage parking traffic allowed on 911 N Rush, 57 E Delaware ( Bristol) & 50 E Chestnut ( Rush side entrance). Crew set up and breakdown closure daily. Rush St will remain open after working hours and over the weekend. Detour signage will be posted.

While working on Oak Street (from N Rush to N Michigan), eastbound traffic and westbound traffic will remain open during weekends. Westbound Oak Street will be closed during working hours and on weekdays for installation. Working hours are 7AM-3:30PM Monday - Friday. Hours may be extended to expedite the project.

Please click here to view a three week lookahead for this project.

CAPS Meetings

18th District: (312-742-5778 / CAPS018District@chicagopolice.org)

Beat 1824 CAPS meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 16th at 6pm.
Beat 1831 CAPS meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 23rd at 5pm.
Beat 1832 CAPS meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 23rd at 6pm.
Beat 1833 CAPS meeting will be held on Thursday, July 25th at 5pm.
Beat 1834 CAPS meeting will be held on Thursday, July 25th at 6pm.

Click here for 18th District meeting locations.

1st District: (312-745-4381 / CAPS001District@chicagopolice.org)

Beat 111 CAPS meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 10th at 5:30pm.
Beat 121 CAPS meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 17th at 5:30pm.

Navy Pier Pride Event on Saturday, June 29

Navy Pier Pride is a full day event of performances and events at the Pier on Saturday, June 29 from noon -11pm with the firework show at 10pm. For complete details, please click here.

A Message from Chicago DNC 2024 Near North Neighborhood Ambassador

"Hi - My name is Susan Cotton and I am honored to be the Near North Neighborhood Ambassador to the upcoming DNC through the DNC Host Committee. As one of the thousands of volunteers representing all 77 neighborhoods, I look forward to helping showcase our city and make this the most successful convention in history! As you know we will be welcoming 50,000 visitors to Chicago during the convention.

Volunteers will play a critical role in bringing the Convention to life - welcoming guests, introducing the city, ushering at events, providing transportation and much more."

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Upcoming CDOT Bridge Work - Michigan Avenue Bridge Sidewalk Repairs - SE Corner

CDOT crews are scheduled to perform the sidewalk repair work at the Michigan Avenue Bascule Bridge over the Main Branch of the Chicago River. These repairs are similar in scope to the sidewalk repairs completed on the southwest corner of this bridge in March.

Scope of Work:

The project consists of performing the following repairs: SE sidewalk concrete repairs.

Construction Schedule:

7:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday thru Friday, from Monday, July 8th until Friday, July 19th.

Traffic Impact during Construction:

Full closure of East sidewalk at all times.
A single Northbound vehicular lane closure adjacent to the sidewalk being worked on during working hours ONLY, and will go into place after rush hour.

225 W Randolph Street Vaulted Sidewalk Repair

The owner of 225 W Randolph Street will be rebuilding the following vaulted sidewalks adjacent to the property:

South side of Randolph, from Franklin to the east end of the building
West side of Franklin, from Randolph to the south end of the building

This project is underway, and it will take approximately 3 weeks to rebuild each sidewalk. Pedestrians will be pushed to the opposite side of the street during construction. Click here to view their site plan.

Crane Lift: 12 E Ohio

On Saturday, July 13, from 8am to 4pm, there will be a crane lift at 12 E Ohio Street.

During the lift, the following will be closed:

Sidewalk on the south side of Ontario, from State to Rush
Curb & two traffic lanes on the south side of Ontario, from State to Rush

One lane of westbound traffic will be maintained.

Chicago/Halsted Viaduct Repairs:

CDOT crews are scheduled to perform bridge repairs at the Chicago/Halsted Viaduct. Please see details below:

Scope of Work:

The project consists of performing the following repairs: Beam Repairs at the SW corner of the viaduct.

Construction Schedule:

9:00 am Friday, 6/28/24 - 6:00 pm Wednesday, 7/3/24.

Traffic Impact during Construction:

A single Southbound vehicular lane closure on Halsted St. from the Chicago River to approximately 75ft south of Chicago Ave.
A single Eastbound vehicular lane closure on Chicago Ave. from N. Green St. to S. Halsted St.
Traffic control will be in place at all times for the duration of construction.

Added Bus Stops

Due to the Expanded Outdoor Dining program, the following bus stops will be implemented, effective on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 3:00 pm until Thursday, October 31, 2024 or completion.

Clark at Kinzie (southbound, nearside)—Temporary bus stop elimination

Stop ID Number: 1861

Route Stopping: #22 – Clark

LaSalle at Grand (southbound, farside)—Temporary bus stop route added onto existing bus stop

Stop ID Number: 4961

Route Stopping: #22– Clark, #156 - LaSalle

LaSalle at Hubbard (southbound, farside)—Temporary bus stop route added onto existing bus stop

Stop ID Number: 4962

Route Stopping: #22– Clark, #156 - LaSalle

LaSalle at 320 North (southbound, farside)—Temporary bus stop route added onto existing bus stop

Stop ID Number: 4963

Route Stopping: #22– Clark, #156 - LaSalle

Protected Bike Lane Installation: East Side of Clark, from Oak to Grand

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is expanding its protected bike lane network throughout the City. They have decided to install a southbound protected bike lane on the east side of North Clark Street, between West Oak Street and West Grand Avenue. This bike lane will connect to the westbound bike lane on the north side of West Grand Avenue.

CDOT's Scope of Work:

Swap the location of the existing bike lane and parking lane. The bike lane will be adjacent to the curb and the parking lane will be between a lane of traffic and the bike lane.
Install bicycle signals (select intersections).
Install pedestrian bump-outs/refuge space.

Please click here to review CDOT's site plans. Work is currently underway.

Demolition Project: 720 North Wells Street / 207 West Superior Street

Milburn Demolition concluded its demolition of 207 West Superior Street and began demolition of 720 North Wells Street last week. Work hours will remain Monday - Friday, from 8am to 5pm.

The following will be closed throughout the project:

40 feet of the north/south alley on the south side of West Superior Street, between North Franklin Street and North Wells Street
Sidewalk and curb lane on the south side of West Superior Street, between North Wells Street and North Franklin Street
Sidewalk and curb lane on the west side of North Wells Street, from West Superior Street to a point 48 feet south thereof.

The bike lane on the west side of North Wells Street will remain open throughout the project. Demolition is expected to be completed by August 1, 2024 (weather dependent).

Franklin Street Bridge Project

CDOT crews began sidewalk replacement and selective roadway grating replacement at the Franklin Avenue Bascule Bridge over the Main Branch of the Chicago River.

Scope of Work:

The project consists of performing the following repairs: replacement of bridge sidewalk with fiberglass sidewalk panels, selective roadway grating panels replacement.

Construction Schedule:

7:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday thru Friday, from Monday, March 18^th until Friday, August 30^th. End date is tentative, contingent upon expected Central Business District Moratoriums.

Traffic Impact during Construction:

Full closure of one sidewalk at all times.
A single vehicular lane closure adjacent to the sidewalk being worked on at all times.
One northbound though lane and northbound bike lane will remain open throughout during sidewalk repairs.

CDOT Construction: Pin & Link Plate Assembly and Expansion Joints

The Department of Transportation will begin a project to replace pin and link plate assemblies and expansion joints associated with the bridge structures of upper and intermediate Columbus Dr., Randolph St., and Stetson Ave. Pin and link plate assembly work will be performed from the underside of the bridge decks while expansion joint replacements will occur from above. The work began in November 2023 and will progress to completion (anticipated Fall 2024).

Work is to start along upper, intermediate, and lower levels of the following roadways:

N. Columbus Drive between E. Wacker Drive and E. Randolph Street
E. Randolph Street between N. Michigan Avenue and N. Field Boulevard
N. Stetson Avenue between E. Wacker Drive and E. Lake Street

During construction, portions of these bridge structures will be barricaded off to prohibit vehicles and pedestrians directly over the active work.

Vehicles will be shifted and/or detoured to allow the work to progress.
The sidewalk on at least one side of the roadway and crosswalks at roadway intersections will remain open for pedestrians.
Coordination of temporary access restriction may be required with private properties directly adjacent to the project.

State & Lake Utility Relocations

Utility companies began relocating utilities in advance of the State and Lake CTA project. Train services will not be disrupted during utility relocations.

At least 1 lane of traffic will remain open (1 lane each direction on State St) at all times, but other driving and parking lanes may be closed.

Construction equipment and materials will be stored on the street, including during time periods between active work. Work will primarily occur 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturdays, but there will be limited work during nights. Utility companies are aware of and required to abide by the Chicago noise ordinance, which limits noisy work during overnight hours.

Kennedy Expressway Bridge Rehabilitation

In 2023, IDOT began rehabilitating the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94), from the Edens Expressway (I-94) junction to Ohio Street.

The estimated $150 million project consists of rehabilitating 36 bridges and the Reversible Lane Access Control system, replacing overhead sign structures, installing new signage and modernized LED lights, pavement patching, and structural painting. Additionally, Hubbard’s Cave, from Grand Avenue to Wayman Street, will be painted and new LED lighting installed.

The work will take place over three consecutive construction seasons, broken down into the following stages:

2023 – Inbound Kennedy: Click here for stage 1 fact sheet.
2024 – Reversible Express Lanes: Click here for stage 2 fact sheet.
2025 – Outbound Kennedy: Click here for stage 3 fact sheet.

The Kennedy Expressway officially opened in November 1960, with the last major rehabilitation completed in 1994. The project will improve safety, traffic flow and reliability for the more than 275,000 motorists who use the expressway each day.

Click here for a project overview.

Click here for a FAQ

Click here to see photos and videos of the project.