July 19, 2024

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Alderman Reilly Reports

Taste of River North Starts Today!

The River North Residents Association (RNRA) will host the Taste of River North (TORN) on Friday, July 19 (5pm-10pm), Saturday, July 20 (11am-10pm) and Sunday, July 21 (11am-10pm). This family-friendly event will be held on North Wells Street, between Chicago Avenue and Ontario Street. 


Representatives from our office will be manning a booth at the event on Friday from 5pm-7pm, Saturday from 11am-5pm, and Sunday from 11am-1:30pm.

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. 

400 North Lake Shore Drive Update

Related Midwest is reconstructing the ramp on southbound Lake Shore Drive that leads to their site at 400 N Lake Shore Drive and work is expected to be completed mid-August. During ramp reconstruction, trucks and materials entering the site will use East North Water Street. Vehicles exiting the site will continue to use the ramp leading to northbound Lake Shore Drive. 


The following is what to expect in the next week:

 

  • Complete framing and rebar of Lake Shore Drive ramp slab
  • Complete concrete pour of ramp slab
  • Begin framing and rebar for lift of core walls inside cofferdam
  • Continue excavation for new columns
  • Continue material haul off
  • Pending permit, begin Lake Shore Drive drainage relocation
  • Pending permit, begin sewer overflow relocation


Stay tuned to Reilly Reports future updates.

Completed: Larrabee Street 1-way Configuration between Erie & Superior

On Monday, July 8, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) completed the two-way to one-way (northbound) conversion of North Larrabee Street, between West Erie Street and West Superior Street


CDOT installed One-way and Do Not Enter signage and removed stop signs that were for southbound traffic. 


Chicago Police Department Officers are patrolling North Larrabee Street to assist with the new traffic pattern during rush hours.

42nd Ward Development Proposal: 500 North Michigan Avenue

The applicant proposes to convert the existing office building at 500 North Michigan Avenue to a primarily residential building. 


The existing building is 303’ 11.25” tall, 24-stories (plus 2 stories sub-Michigan Avenue). It contains retail and restaurant tenants on the first two floors with offices above. It is currently zoned Planned Development 487 (PD 487), which was approved on July 19, 1989.


The developer proposes to amend PD 487 to convert the building to 320 residential dwelling units on floors 6-23.  Retail and commercial uses would remain on the first 2 floors.  Office uses are contemplated for floors 3 to 5. The 7th floor is proposed to have residential units and building amenity space.  The 24th floor will house mechanical space, interior amenity space and an exterior amenity deck.  A new top floor amenity space and terrace are contemplated for which additional FAR would have to be obtained through the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund bonus framework. The top floor addition will bring the building’s height up to 321 feet and 11.25 inches.


The parking garage is operated with valet service, allowing approximately 68 cars to be parked.  Parking is accessed from lower Illinois Street. The developer intends to continue to have the building served with valet parking.  Loading will be from the existing loading area on lower Michigan Avenue. Click here for additional information.


This amendment will be reviewed at an upcoming Chicago Plan Commission meeting with subsequent approval required by City Council. As part of Alderman Reilly’s transparent community process for new developments, your comments and observations are welcome on this project. Please click here to take a survey to provide your feedback.

CAPS Meetings

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

  • 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)

  • There are no CAPS meetings schedule for this district for the remainder of the month.

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 I

Register Here

Monday, July 22 | 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Malcolm X College  

1900 West Jackson Boulevard 


BUDGET ENGAGEMENT Roundtable II 

Register Here

Thursday, July 25 | 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm  

Harry S. Truman College  

1145 West Wilson Avenue 


BUDGET ENGAGEMENT Roundtable III

Register Here

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

Filmings


Chicago Fire


Open 4 Business LLC will be filming scenes for Chicago Fire in your neighborhood on 233 E Randolph Street on Wednesday, July 24. During the filming, parking will be prohibited at the following locations:

 

  • Both sides of Randolph from Columbus to Field Blvd
  • Both sides of Stetson from Randolph to South Water Street
  • North side of Lake St from Stetson to Beaubien Ct

 

Additionally, there will be intermittent traffic control on East Randolph, from Columbus to Harbor from 1pm to 2pm.


There will be a staged prop vehicle on the sidewalk and an emergency response.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the location manager (Luis Perez) at 773-525-2326.


Helicopter Lift - 333 W Wacker Drive


Midwest Helicopter was hired to lift HVAC units onto the roof of 333 W Wacker Drive. The lift is scheduled to occur on Saturday, July 20, from 9am to 11am. During the lift, the following will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic:


  • Wacker Drive, between Franklin and Lake


Crane Lift - 311 W Huron Street


On Thursday, July 25, from 8am to 4pm, there will be a crane lift at 311 W Huron Street. During the lift, the following will be closed:


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


One lane of westbound traffic will remain open at all times.


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 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 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.