July 26, 2024

Alderman Reilly Reports

Democratic National Convention and Secret Service Security Notice

On Thursday, July 25, the Committee on Public Safety held a Hearing to discuss safety measures for the Democratic National Convention (DNC). At the Hearing, we heard from Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Department of Transportation, OEMC, the Mayor’s Office, and many other City Departments. Please click here to listen to the Hearing.

Please note, increased local security measures will be in place around Chicago’s United Center and McCormick Place in the days leading up to, during, and immediately following the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

The U.S. Secret Service, in conjunction with Federal, state, and local partners, released maps of security perimeters that will be in-place around both venues during the upcoming convention in Chicago, which runs from August 19 through August 22.

Starting Friday, August 16 at 10pm, temporary road closures and enforcement of pedestrian and vehicle security perimeters will be in effect around McCormick Place. Additionally, beginning Saturday, August 17 at 7pm, similar restrictions will be in-place near the United Center. DNC security measures will be in-place through Friday, August 23.

The secure areas for the event are divided into a Vehicle Screening Perimeter and a Pedestrian Restricted Perimeter. The maps below show both perimeters for each venue.

Please visit OEMC’s website for more information and to sign up for OEMC alerts to stay up to date.

River North Infrastructure Improvements

Every year, each Alderman is allotted discretionary funds (Aldermanic Menu) to be spent on infrastructure improvements in their respective wards. Alderman Reilly determines how these funds are used based on feedback from residents and by touring our ward (daily occurrence).

Residents in River North have contacted our office to report the deteriorated condition of Ohio Place Dog Park and the lack of Dog Friendly Area (DFA) options for small dogs in the neighborhood. In response, Alderman Reilly authorized a portion of the Aldermanic Menu to fund the installation of a small dog DFA and hydroseeding within the Ohio Place Dog Park.

This Alderman is pleased to report the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) completed the following improvements within the Park:

Installed black wrought iron fencing and a gate to create a small dog DFA
Installed two concreted slabs and benches inside the small dog DFA
Fixed the dog bowl drinking fountain
Hydroseeded the entire dog park

Additionally, residents reported witnessing pedestrians forced to walk in the street on the east side of North Kingsbury Street, between West Ohio Street and West Ontario Street due to the sidewalk being too narrow for two people to walk side-by-side. Due to this safety concern, the Alderman asked CDOT to widen the sidewalk and use his Aldermanic Menu to fund the project.

Alderman Reilly is pleased to announce that CDOT has completed widening the sidewalk on the east side of North Kingsbury Street, between West Ohio Street and West Ontario Street.

Residents frequently report motorists driving at excessive speeds throughout the River North neighborhood. To calm traffic, the Alderman authorized funding to install speed humps at the following locations and CDOT has completed construction of these improvements:

In front of 360 West Erie Street
On North Kingsbury Street, between West Erie Street and West Huron Street
On North Kingsbury Street, between West Huron Street and West Superior Street
On North Larrabee Street, between West Huron Street and West Superior Street

We are constantly looking for damaged infrastructure and ways to improve quality-of-life in the 42nd Ward. That said, it is helpful when residents report problems they see to our office. Please report concerns to our office via email (office@ward42chicago.com) or by calling 312-744-3062.

CPD Roll Call at North Rush Street & East Bellevue Place

On Saturday, July 20 Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling and Chief Jon Hein held a public Roll Call at North Rush Street and East Bellevue Place. After the Roll Call, the officers patrolled the Gold Coast Neighborhood.

Alderman Reilly would like to thank Superintendent Snelling, Chief Hein, and the men and women of the Chicago Police Department for their good work.

CAPS Meetings

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

There are no CAPS meetings scheduled for this district for the month of August.

Click here for 18th District meeting locations.

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

Beat 114 CAPS meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 7th at 3pm.
Beat 114 CAPS meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 14th at 5:30pm.

Lollapalooza Community Reminder

Mayoral Budget Engagement Roundtable Events

The Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Office of Budget and Management are excited to announce this year's Budget Engagement Roundtables, scheduled for later this month. This will be an opportunity for Chicago residents and community leaders to share their priorities regarding City services and engage in conversations with the Mayor, Budget Director, and City department leaders on key programs.

Upcoming Budget Engagement Roundtables:

BUDGET ENGAGEMENT Roundtable III

Saturday, July 27 | 10:00am - 12:30 pm

Kennedy-King College

6301 South Halsted Street

BUDGET ENGAGEMENT (Youth Event)

Youth 13-24 Only

Tuesday, July 30 | 5:00pm - 7:00 pm

Harold Washington Library

400 S State St

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

Crane Lift - 311 W Huron Street

On Friday, August 2, from 8am to 5pm, there will be a crane lift at 311 W Huron Street. During the lift, the following will be closed:

Sidewalk on the south side of Huron, from Franklin to a point 100' west thereof
Curb/traffic lane on the south side of Huron, from Franklin to a point 100' west thereof

400 Lake Shore Drive

Current Week

Complete forming and rebar of lakeshore drive ramp slab
Continue forming and rebar for lift of core walls inside cofferdam
Continue excavation for columns
Continue material haul off

Week of 7/29

Begin framing and rebar of lakeshore drive ramp walls
Begin concrete pour for list of core walls inside cofferdam
Begin forming and rebar for new columns
Continue material haul off
Pending permit, begin lakeshore drive drainage relocation
Pending permit, begin sewer overflow relocation

Week of 8/5

Begin concrete pour of lakeshore drive ramp walls
Continue framing of core walls inside cofferdam
Continue forming, rebar, and concrete pouring for columns
Continue material haul off
Pending permit, continue lakeshore drive drainage relocation
Pending permit, continue sewer overflow relocation

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 will begin on Monday, July 8th and 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.

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.