February 10, 2022
Alderman Reilly Reports
Alderman Reilly's Office Closed on Friday, February 11 in Observance of President Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
In observance of President Lincoln's Birthday, Alderman Reilly’s Office will be closed on Friday, February 11.

Additionally, City Hall, City of Chicago governmental offices and Chicago Public Libraries will be closed in honor of President Lincoln’s birthday and 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.
42nd Ward Public Safety Webinar with Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart
On Tuesday, March 1, from 4pm to 5pm, Alderman Reilly is hosting a Public Safety Webinar with Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. During the webinar, Sheriff Dart’s team will discuss their crime reduction initiatives, Carjacking Task Force, and answer pre-submitted questions. 

Since the webinar is limited to 1,000 attendees, we encourage you to register early to guarantee entry. Please click here to register for the webinar.

There will not be open Q&A during the webinar, so please click here to submit a question in advance of the meeting. 

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, March 1!
Chicago Plan Commission (CPC) to Consider 42nd Ward Development Proposal
On Thursday, February 17, at 10:00am, the Chicago Plan Commission (CPC) will host a virtual meeting to review proposed applications and/or amendments, including one proposal within the 42nd Ward, detailed below. Rules for public participation in virtual meetings are now available. A link to live stream the meeting will be added to CPC’s website on February 17.

939 N. Rush St.

A proposed Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance application, submitted by Rush Walton LLC, for the property generally located at 939 N. Rush Street. The property is zoned DX-7 and is within the Private-Use Zone of the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection District. The applicant is proposing to demolish an existing three-story commercial building and construct a new two-story commercial building.
Although the proposal does not require City Council approval, the developer must obtain Lakefront Protection Application approval from the Chicago Plan Commission to ensure that the building does not impede access to the Chicago Lakefront or inflict harm on the natural lakefront environment.
 
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.
Upcoming 42nd Ward Item to be Heard at the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
218 South Wabash

Holy Trinity Church has submitted an application for a Special Use to establish a religious assembly facility on the second floor of an existing nine-story building.
 
The ZBA will consider this Special Use application at an upcoming (virtual) public hearing on Friday, February 18. The ZBA is a quasi-judicial body made up of Mayoral appointees. They are solely responsible for approval or denial of Special Use licenses and are not obligated to give special consideration to comments from Aldermen or Police Commanders. However, the hearing will allow time for public comment. Click here to visit the ZBA website to submit a written comment in advance of the hearing, and also to access the link to the Live Stream on the morning of February 18. 
Eurostar Hotel, 660 North State Street
As you know, the City of Chicago Law Department filed a second public nuisance disciplinary case against Eurostar Magnificent Mile Hotel, located at 660 North State Street, the details of which were reported in Reilly Reports on December 17, 2021. Please click here to review the list of charges. 
 
The next status meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 9:30 AM.
 
The Rules and other information about the MLDC hearings being conducted on the Cisco Webex platform are available on BACP’s website. If you wish to stay up to date on the matter, please use the information below to virtually access the meeting:
 
Meeting Number: 2484 410 9142
Password: 1234
Join by Phone: (312) 535-8110
Access Code: 2484 410 9142
 
Please continue to report any issues requiring immediate Police attention in real-time by calling 9-1-1.
Free At-Home Rapid COVID Tests
Testing is an important tool to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Biden Administration has purchased one billion at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to give to Americans for free. 

The program will allow four free tests to be requested per residential address, and tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering.

Click here to place your order for free at-home COVID-19 tests.
Free Tax Prep Help
The City of Chicago offers free, confidential tax help at locations across Chicago from late January - mid-April in partnership with the Center for Economic Progress and Ladder Up. Please see the flyer below for more information.
42nd Ward Street Closures and Construction Notices
Crane Lift: 170 W. Ontario Street

Dearborn Engineers & Constructors (DEC) was hired to perform a crane lift at 170 W Ontario on Saturday, February 19 and Saturday, February 26 from 8am-5pm.

During the lifts, the following will be closed:

  • Sidewalk on the northside of Ontario, from LaSalle to a point 95' west thereof
  • Curb lanes on both sides of Ontario, from LaSalle to a point 95' west thereof
  • Two westbound traffic lanes on Ontario, from LaSalle to a point 95' west thereof

The curb lane on the south side of Ontario will be converted into a westbound traffic lane during the lift. They will have barricades and flaggers in-place during the lift. 

Gas Main Replacement - Michigan, Chestnut to Cedar

Peoples Gas continues it's gas main replacement on the west side of Michigan Avenue, from Chestnut to Cedar. Work hours may vary throughout the project, but are currently anticipated to be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

All openings will be covered and secured during non-work hours. This portion of the gas main replacement is expected to last 3-6 weeks.

Gas Main Replacement - Michigan, Monroe to Lake

On Monday, February 7, Peoples Gas began a gas main replacement on the west side of Michigan Avenue, from Monroe to Lake. Work hours will be 9am-4pm.

This project is expected to be completed in July 2022 (weather dependent).

214 West Erie Street Renovations

On Monday, December 13, Crane Construction began renovations of 214 West Erie Street. During construction, the following will be closed:

  • Sidewalk/curb lane in front of 214 West Erie Street. The curb lane will be used as a pedestrian walkway. Crane Construction will place jersey barriers and ramps in the curb lane to protect pedestrians and provide wheelchair access. 
  • Close 100' of the north/south alley adjacent to 214 W Erie Street. This is a T alley and residents of 222 W Erie will still be able to access their parking garage from the alley entrance on Franklin and Huron.

This project is expected to be completed summer of 2022 (weather dependent).

LG Construction: 751 N. Hudson and 451 W Chicago 

LG Construction has recently broke ground at 751 N. Hudson Avenue and 451 W. Chicago Avenue, which are adjacent parcels. Work hours will be 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
 
Throughout the project, the following will be closed:

  • Sidewalk/curb lane/traffic lane of the east side of Hudson, from Chicago to the first alley south thereof
  • Sidewalk/curb lane/traffic lane on the west side of Sedgwick, from Chicago to the first alley south thereof
  • Sidewalk/curb lane on the south side of Chicago, from Hudson to Sedgwick

There will be a protected pedestrian walkway in the curb lane on the south side of Chicago Avenue, from Hudson Avenue to Sedgwick Street.

This project is expected to take 18 months to complete (weather dependent). 

354 North Union Construction

The Onni Group is constructing a 33 story residential building with 373 units. Work hours will be 8am-8pm, daily. 

Parking will be prohibited on North Union, from West Kinzie to the cul-de-sac west thereof throughout the project. All construction equipment and vehicles will be staged on the Onni Group’s property. This project will take approximately two years to complete. 

430 N. Michigan Lobby Renovation
 
Starting in mid-September, GNP Realty Partners will be renovating the lobby at 430 N. Michigan Avenue. Throughout the project, there will be a 40’ urban canopy on the sidewalk in front of the building. In order to place the canopy on the sidewalk, the planter bed and City Information Panel (CIP) at this location will be temporarily removed. Both the planter bed and CIP will be reinstalled upon completion of the project. 
 
The project is expected to be completed in March 2022. 

South Water Street Viaduct Replacement

In March 2021, the Chicago Department of Transportation began demolition of the South Water Street Viaduct, between Lower Beaubien Court and Stetson Street. Work hours are 8am-8pm, daily. 

As of May 10, vehicular and pedestrian access will be prohibited on the Upper and Lower levels of South Water Street, between Lower Beaubien Court and North Stetson Street. There will be barricades and detour signs in-place throughout the duration of the project. 

This project is expected to be completed in July 2022 (weather dependent). 

Renovations at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street

On February 15, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) began renovating the Grand Army of the Republic Rotunda and Hall at the Cultural Center, located at 78 East Washington Street. Throughout the project, DCASE will be using the Cultural Centers loading zone at 129 North Garland Court as storage for the project and to place their construction dumpster. 

On Monday, April 19, canopies will be installed at the following locations:
  • South side of Randolph, from Michigan to a point 50' west thereof
  • West side of Michigan, from Randolph to a point 75' south thereof

The project is expected to be completed February 2022. 

Overnight Parking Ban Downtown

Until further notice, overnight parking will be restricted on the following streets during the weekend:  

  • Both sides of Oak, between Michigan and Clark 
  • South side of Oak, between LaSalle and Wells 
  • Both sides of Chicago, between Michigan and Wells 
  • Both sides of Ohio, between Michigan and Wells 
  • Both sides of Hubbard, between Michigan and Wells 
  • North side of Illinois, between Dearborn and Clark 
  • Both sides of Illinois, between Wabash and Dearborn 
  • Both sides of Rush, between Grand and Ohio 
  • Both sides of Rush, between Erie and Oak 
  • Both sides of Wabash, between the Chicago River and Grand 
  • Both sides of State, between Kinzie and Oak 
  • Both sides of Erie, from Rush to Wells 
  • Both sides of Huron from Rush to Dearborn
  • Both sides of New Street, from Illinois to North Water
  • Both sides of Columbus Drive, from Monroe to Balbo 
  • North side of Wacker Drive, from Wabash to Michigan
  • North side of Wacker Drive, from Franklin to Columbus 
  • Both sides of Wacker Drive, from State to Wabash 
  • Both sides of Stetson, from Randolph to Wacker 
  • Both sides of Columbus Drive, from Randolph to Wacker 
  • Both sides of Beaubien Court, from Randolph to Lake 
  • Both sides of Randolph, from Harbor to Michigan 
  • Both sides of Ohio, from Michigan to Fairbanks
  • West side of Larrabee, from Erie to Huron


As always, please make sure to read all posted signage before parking your vehicle downtown.