April 26, 2024

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Alderman Reilly Reports

Last Week at City Council

At the City Council Meeting held on Friday, April 19, Alderman Reilly voted NO on the following ordinances sponsored by Mayor Brandon Johnson:


SO2024-0007838: This ordinance allows the City of Chicago to issue $1.25 billion in general obligation and/or sales tax securitization corporation bonds to be used for economic development in low-income communities. 


Alderman Reilly agrees that we need to invest in our struggling communities. However, the Mayor’s ordinance lacks transparency and prevents the City Council from approving spending for the majority of projects the bonds will fund. Please click here to listen to Alderman Reilly’s comments at the City Council meeting last week (skip to 3:03). This ordinance passed with 32 yays and 17 nays.


O2024-0008842: This ordinance allocates another $70 million dollars for the City’s migrant response. This proposal passed with 30 yays and 18 nays. Click here to view how each Alderman voted. 

Electronics Recycling Event Recap

Alderman Reilly hosted an Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, April 20. Over 100 42nd Ward residents attended the event. At the event, we collected over 2,000 pounds of used/unwanted electronics. 



The Alderman would like to thank Newtech

E-Scrap and the residents who attended for making the event possible. 

Saint Jude Police Memorial March

Sunday, May 5th

The Saint Jude Police Memorial March is returning to North Michigan Avenue on Sunday, May 5, from 7am to 9pm. The march is hosted by the Saint Jude Police League, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the men and women of the Chicago Police Department and their families.  The Saint Jude Police League provides support and assistance to the families of police officers in times of bereavement. 


During the march, the following will be closed to vehicular access:


  • North Michigan Avenue, from East Chicago Avenue to the Chicago River
  • Chicago Avenue, from North Michigan Avenue to North Clark Street


There are no floats or vehicles in the march. Residents can expect to hear music from bagpipes.


Please click here to learn more about the Saint Jude Police Memorial March.

Mexican Independence Day Event (El Grito) Community Meeting

The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Mexican Consulate in Chicago are hosting a Mexican Independence Day (El Grito) Event in Grant Park on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15, from 2pm to 10pm. 


On Thursday, May 9, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, the event organizers are hosting an open community meeting at the Fairmont Chicago located at 200 North Columbus Drive. Please click here if you’d like to register to attend the meeting via Zoom. 


At the meeting, residents will learn about the event’s logistics and what to expect during the festival. Please see the flyer below for more information about the event. 

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 expected to begin in early May. 

CAPS Meetings

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

  • Beat 1824 CAPS meeting will be held on Thursday, May 16th at 6pm.
  • Beat 1831 CAPS meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 21st at 5pm.
  • Beat 1832 CAPS meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 21st at 6pm.
  • Beat 1833 CAPS meeting will be held on Thursday, May 23rd at 5pm.
  • Beat 1834 CAPS meeting will be held on Thursday, May 23rd 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, May 1st at 3pm.
  • Beat 121 CAPS meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 8th at 3pm.


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

GPR Scan - 679 N Michigan


Stevenson Crane needs to conduct a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scan in advance of a future crane lift for 679 N Michigan Avenue. They plan to conduct the scan on Tuesday, April 30, from 8am to 3pm.


They are scanning each traffic lane on Huron, from Michigan to a point 150' east thereof. Two lanes of traffic will be open at all times. 


Polish Constitution Day Parade


On May 4, from 9am to 11:30am, the Polish Constitution Day Parade will return to Columbus Drive. During the parade, the following streets will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic:


  • Columbus, from Roosevelt Road to Monroe Street
  • Balbo, from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive

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


Milburn Demolition will began demolition of 720 North Wells Street and 207 West Superior Street this week. Work hours will be 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).


400 N LSD Construction Update


Week of 4/29

  • Demobilize caisson equipment from site
  • Due to equipment size, this will require the use of water street
  • Continue excavation of a portion of northern end
  • Begin forming of walls inside cofferdam
  • Begin installation of site dewatering wells
  • Begin installation of lake shore drive storm re-route

 

Week of 5/6

  • Begin pouring of tower crane foundation
  • Begin pouring of cofferdam walls
  • Continue installation of lake shore drive storm re-route

 

Week of 5/13

  • Installation of Tower Crane        
  • Due to equipment size, this will require the use of Water Street


Lake Shore Drive Bridge from Randolph to Grand - Weekend Work


The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced that the CDOT will be working on the Lake Shore Drive Bridge and Viaduct Network between Randolph Street and Grand Avenue. Work will include expansion joint rehabilitation and gland installation.  


On April 19 to April 21, three lanes of traffic on southbound Upper Lake Shore Drive, from Grand Avenue to Randolph Street will be closed during the overnight hours (9pm-6am). On April 20 and April 21, from 6am to 9pm, there will be a two lane closure along this stretch of Upper Lake Shore Drive. 


Thompson Center Redevelopment Mobilization


Clark Construction began mobilizing for the Thompson Center Redevelopment project on Thursday, March 28. The following is what you can expect:


Clark Street - Clark Construction has installed jersey barriers and fencing along the west side of Clark Street, between Randolph Street and Lake Street. This stretch of Clark Street is reduced to one lane of southbound traffic. Pedestrians are being directed to the east side of the street - due to the sidewalk closure on the west side of Clark Street.


Randolph Street - On Monday, April 1, Clark Construction will begin building a pedestrian canopy on the north side of Randolph Street (sidewalk), between Clark Street and LaSalle Street. This work will occur during the overnight hours and take 4 days to complete.


LaSalle Street - At the end of next week, Clark Construction will begin erecting a pedestrian canopy on the east side of LaSalle Street (curb lane), between Randolph Street and Lake Street. The sidewalk on the east side of LaSalle will remain open until the canopy is built.


Lake Street - No changes through Wednesday, April 24.


CTA Structural Maintenance


The CTA will be performing structural maintenance on the elevated tracks over Wells Street, between Lake Street and Wacker Drive. Work is scheduled to occur on April 6-7, from 7am to 7pm. Throughout the project, residents can expect the following:


  • Curb lane closures
  • Rolling traffic lane closures


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.


Lake Shore Drive Bridge Repairs


Bridge Repairs have began on the Upper level of DuSable Lake Shore Drive Bascule Bridge over the Main Branch of the Chicago River.


This work is separate from the ongoing Pin & Link work at the bridge and will not impact that construction, or require additional roadway closures. Details of the temporary sidewalk restrictions are below:


Scope of Work:

The work consists of upper level stringer repairs at the SE and NE bridge houses.


Construction Schedule:

  • 8:00 pm - 6:00 am Sunday, March 10th 2024 until Thursday, April 25th 2024.
  • Work will occur on Sunday nights - Thursday nights only. No work to occur on Friday nights or Saturday nights.


Traffic Impact during Construction: 

  • The east sidewalk and bike path will be reduced to a shared travel lane in both directions during working hours.
  • The east sidewalk and bike path will be completely open to pedestrians and bicyclists during non-working hours.
  • This work will not impact the ongoing Pin & Link construction or cause additional road closures.
  • The west sidewalk will remain completely open to pedestrian traffic at all times.



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.  



Murphy Auditorium Renovation


Driehaus Museum purchased the Murphy Auditorium (50 E Erie) in June 2023, and began the following interior renovations:


  • Offices are going to be renovated
  • Stage has sunken – leveled out; fix accessibility issue
  • New elevator to go all the way to the top floor


Throughout the project, the following will be in-place:


  • Pedestrian canopy over the sidewalk in front of 50 E Erie
  • 100' of curb lane will be closed in front of 50 E Erie for material deliveries and small crane


They will need to use a small crane periodically throughout the project to lift materials onto the roof that can't fit through the doorway. 


LSD Bridge & Viaduct Project - September 25 to Summer 2024


The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) began working on the Lake Shore Drive Bridge and Viaduct Network between Monroe and Ontario. This work will include removing and replacing link plates, stainless steel pins, and Teflon bushings and expansion joint rehabilitation.  


Upper Level Lake Shore Drive will have one permanent lane closure in each direction and an additional lane closure during off-peak hours.


Intermediate Level Lake Shore Drive will have two permanent lane closures in each direction.


This project is expected to be completed summer of 2024.



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.