August 30, 2024

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Alderman Reilly Reports

Alderman Reilly's Office Closed on Labor Day, September 2nd

In observance of Labor Day, Alderman Reilly’s Office will be closed on Monday, September 2.

 

Additionally, City Hall, City of Chicago governmental offices and Chicago Public Libraries will be closed to comply with the City of Chicago mandatory holiday schedule. If you have a need for city services, please call 3-1-1 for non-emergency requests, or dial 9-1-1 if you require immediate assistance.

Second El Grito Community Meeting:

September 3rd

Earlier this year, the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Mexican Consulate held an in-person community meeting for residents to learn about a new Mexican Independence Day (El Grito) Event, which will be held in Grant Park on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15, from 2pm to 10pm. Unfortunately, residents were unable to ask questions at the meeting and left feeling frustrated. 


In response to feedback from neighbors, Alderman Reilly asked the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) to require event organizers to hold a second community meeting with a Q & A session in advance of the festival. 


Alderman Reilly is pleased to announce the virtual community meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 3, at 6 pm. Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions during an open Q & A session. Additionally, 1st District Chicago Police Commander David Harris is attending to answer questions related to CPD's planned response to potential car caravans over that weekend. The meeting will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. 


Please click here if you would like to register to attend the meeting. A staff member from our office will attend to take notes.

Bike the Drive

On Sunday, September 1, the Active Transportation Alliance will host Bike the Drive, transforming DuSable Lake Shore Drive into a bike-only thoroughfare for cyclists of all ages to enjoy up to 30 miles of vehicle-free riding and stunning lakefront views. Butler Field in Grant Park will serve as the festival grounds with food, drinks, and more. Proceeds support better walking, biking, and public transit in Chicagoland. For details and registration, visit bikethedrive.org

Chicago Jazz Festival

The Chicago Jazz Festival, a Labor Day weekend tradition, returns to Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center to celebrate all forms of jazz through free, high-quality music programming. Over the course of four days, the festival showcases Chicago’s local talent alongside national and international artists to raise awareness and appreciation for one of the city’s most beloved artforms.


Produced by DCASE and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago (JIC), the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival will feature headliners, including Amina Claudine Myers, Catherine Russell, Kenny Garrett and the Sounds from the Ancestors, and Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Click here for lineup and show information.

42nd Ward Development Proposal:

65 East Wacker Pl

Mavrek Development is proposing the adaptive reuse of 65 East Wacker Place with up to 255 residential units, retail and amenity space on the first and second floors in addition to a landscaped terrace rooftop. Twenty percent of units will be affordable; all 51 affordable units will be located on-site.


Mavrek will preserve the existing historic marble and bronze-clad lobby as well as the coffered plaster lobby ceiling.  The project will also preserve an existing ground-floor restaurant tenant, Morton’s Steakhouse, which is expected to remain open during construction.  Other amenities include a work space and business center, catering kitchens with additional event space, a fitness center, a cinema (all located on the third floor), as well as a pet recreation area, pet grooming facility and bike storage  (located on the lower level). With the exception of Morton’s Steakhouse, building amenities will not be accessible to non-residents.


Exterior work will consist largely of cleaning and repairs of the window system as needed. Plans also call for the addition of several new windows on the north side of the west elevation.

The proposal requires planned development approval because it utilizes existing floor space pursuant to the FAR bonus available in the Downtown District. The development team hopes to file an application next month, which will be reviewed by the Chicago Plan Commission (CPC), Committee on Zoning and City Council. 


As part of Alderman Reilly's transparent community process for new developments, your comments and observations are welcome for this project. Please click here to provide your feedback.

Election Day Judges Needed

The Chicago Board of Elections is hiring Election Judges for the November 5, 2024 Presidential General Election.


Election Judges are paid to manage the precinct polling place and assist voters. Judges share the following responsibilities:


  • Arrive at 5:00 am on Election Day to set up equipment.
  • Open the polls on time at 6:00 am on Election Day.
  • Issue the correct ballots to each voter and help voters with registration and other questions, from 6:00 am through 7:00 pm.
  • Completing all reports after the polls close.


Please click here if you would like to sign-up to be an Election Judge.

CAPS Meetings

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

  • Beat 1824 CAPS meeting will be held on Thursday, September 12th at 6pm
  • Beat 1831 CAPS meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 17th at 5pm
  • Beat 1832 CAPS meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 17th at 6pm
  • Beat 1833 CAPS meeting will be held on Thursday, September 19th at 5pm
  • Beat 1834 CAPS meeting will be held on Thursday, September 19th 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, September 4th at 3pm
  • Beat 121 CAPS meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 11th at 3pm


42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Lake Shore Drive Resurfacing Project


The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will restart its Lake Shore Drive (Lasalle to Hollywood) resurfacing project on Tuesday, September 3, at 7pm. This project is expected to last until mid-November. The following is what residents can expect next week:


  • Tuesday, September 3rd: Beginning at 7:00 p.m., northbound DLSD will be reduced to two lanes between Hollywood Ave and Lawrence Ave. The northbound exit ramps at Foster and Bryn Mawr will be closed as well as the northbound entrance ramps at Lawrence, Foster and Bryn Mawr. Beginning at 9:00 p.m. all lanes of northbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will be closed between Hollywood Ave and Lawrence Ave. Traffic will be detoured to Lawrence Ave. All lanes will open by 6:00 a.m. the following morning.
  • Wednesday, September 4th: Beginning at 7:00 p.m., both northbound and southbound DLSD will be reduced to two lanes between Hollywood Ave and Foster Ave. The northbound exit ramps at Bryn Mawr will be closed as well as the northbound entrance ramps at Lawrence. The southbound entrance ramps will be closed at Hollywood and Bryn Mawr. Beginning at 9:00 p.m. all lanes of northbound and southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will be closed between Hollywood Ave and Lawrence Ave. Traffic will be detoured to Sheridan Rd. and Lawrence Ave. All lanes will open by 6am the following morning.
  • Thursday, September 5th: Beginning at 7:00 p.m., southbound DLSD will be reduced to two lanes between Hollywood Ave and Lawrence Ave. The southbound entrance ramps will be closed at Hollywood, Bryn Mawr and Foster as well as the southbound exit ramp at Lawrence. Beginning at 9:00 p.m. all southbound lanes of DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will be closed between Hollywood Ave and Lawrence Ave. Traffic will be detoured to Sheridan Rd. and Lawrence Ave. All lanes will open by 6:00 a.m. the following morning.



Menu Funded Resurfacing


The following roadways are scheduled to be resurfaced via Alderman Reilly's Menu program:


  • Illinois, from Kingsbury to Orleans (Start on September 3)
  • Ohio, from Kingsbury east to the cul-de-sac (Start on September 4)
  • Erie, from Larrabee to Kingsbury (Start on September 4)
  • Erie, from Hudson to Sedgwick (Start on September 5)
  • Franklin, from Huron to Erie (Start on September 5)
  • Illinois, from LaSalle to Clark (Start on September 5)
  • Illinois, from Dearborn to State (Start on September 6)
  • Illinois, from Wabash to Michigan (Start on September 6)
  • Rush, from Illinois to Hubbard (Start on September 6)
  • Huron, from Dearborn o State (Start on September 9)
  • Randolph, from Beaubien, to Columbus (Start on September 12)
  • Randolph, from Field to Harbor (Start on September 12)


It takes the Chicago Department of Transportation approximately one month (start to finish) to complete the actual resurfacing of a street.


Filming at Mr. Beef


On Thursday, September 5th, a commercial will be filming exterior scenes at 666 N Orleans and 675 N Franklins St. During filming, parking will be prohibited at the following locations: 


  • Thursday, September 5th, from 4:00AM to 10:00PM:
  • West side of N Orleans St from W Superior St to W Erie St
  • Both sides of N Franklin St from W Superior St to W Erie St
  • South side of W Huron St from Sedgwick St to Franklin St


If you have any questions, concerns or special needs, PLEASE CONTACT: Carly Katz, (847) 651-9182. 


400 N Lake Shore Drive Update


Below is an update on construction activities at 400 North Lake Shore Drive.

 

Please Note: Related Midwest has completed reconstruction of the Lake Shore Drive ramp and East Water Street is no longer being used at the primary site entrance. 

 

Week of 9/2

  • Continue excavation and shaping of site
  • Continue material haul off
  • Begin pouring mud slab for basement level 2 slab on grade
  • Continue relocation of sewer overflow pipe
  • Continue relocation of lakeshore drive drain line
  • People’s Gas to begin utility work in Water Street

 

Week of 9/9

  • Continue shaping of site
  • Continue material haul off
  • Continue pouring mud slab for basement level 2 slab on grade
  • Continue relocation of sewer overflow pipe
  • Continue relocation of lakeshore drive drain line
  • People’s Gas to continue utility work in Water Street

 

Public utility work affecting East Water Street is estimated to begin on September 2. This work is being completed in phases, with the first being performed by People’s Gas and estimated to take 30 days. Following People’s Gas, ComEd will begin utility work in October.


River North Lighting Project Update

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) continues the River North Lighting Project. Next week, CDOT will begin boring and installing underground pipe in the area bounded by Kingsbury, Huron, Sedgwick, and Erie.


No lanes of traffic will be closed during the work.


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 the end of August (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 18th  until Friday, August 30th. 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.