May 29, 2026

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Alderman Reilly Reports

Alderman Reilly Attends Centennial Fountain Season Opening Ceremony

This week, Alderman Reilly attended the season opening ceremony for the Nicholas J. Melas Centennial Fountain. The fountain was established in 1989 as a tribute to former Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Nicholas J. Melas. At the opening ceremony, Alderman Reilly spoke about the importance of the fountain and preserving Chicago’s valuable water system. The Alderman was joined by many MWRD Commissioners and MWRD President Kari Steele.

DCASE Announces Art Commissions for DuSable Park and Riverwalk

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) has announced new commissions within the Chicago Monuments Project, an initiative to uplift Chicago’s indigenous history through art. After a thorough review that included nearly 100 applicants, DCASE has selected Leah Mata Fragua and Cliff Fragua to create new public artwork for DuSable Park. In addition, artist Jason Wesaw has been selected to create a mural on the Chicago Riverwalk near Michigan Avenue. More information on these artists and the Chicago Monuments Project can be found here. To review design details for DuSable Park, visit the Chicago Park District’s website here.

Chicago Blues Festival Next Weekend

The world’s largest free blues festival returns to Millennium Park next weekend. The festival runs Friday, June 5 - Sunday, June 7. There will be several stages set up in Millennium Park, including at Pritzker Pavilion and the north and south promenade. More information on this year’s festival can be found here.


Attendees are encouraged to enter Millennium Park on Michigan Avenue at Washington Street or Madison Street. Handicap entrances are also available along Randolph Street and Monroe Street. The full site map is below.

CAPS Meetings

18th District: (312-742-5778 / CAPS.018District@chicagopolice.org)

  • Beat 1833 CAPS meeting will be on Thursday, June 4 at 5pm at 303 E Superior St.


1st District: (312-745-4381 / CAPS.001District@chicagopolice.org)

  • Beat 111 CAPS office will hold a walking beat meeting within the beat's boundaries on Thursday, June 4 at 12pm. The starting location will be the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (24 E Wacker Dr).
  • Beat 114 CAPS meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 3 at 6pm at 337 E Randolph St.
  • Beat 122 CAPS meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 10 at 5pm at 555 W Madison St.


To find your appropriate beat to attend your CAPS meeting, pleasclick here.

Domestic Violence Event & Clothing Drive

On Tuesday, June 2, the 1st District Office of Community Policing will be hosting a domestic violence resource table and clothing collection drive. The event will be held from 11am - 1pm at the 1st District Community Room (1718 South State Street). Residents are encouraged to donate clothing and toiletry items for women and children. All donated items will go directly to Pacific Garden Mission Shelter.

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Ohio / Ontario Feeder Ramps

Today, May 29, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) re-opened all lanes on the Ontario and Ohio Street Feeder Ramps near the Kennedy Expressway. This summer, IDOT will temporarily close each ramp several times over three weekends to complete concrete pavement patching. More details on this work will be shared prior to those closures.


Helicopter Lift:

1 N Wacker

On Sunday, May 31, a crane lift will take place at 1 N Wacker Dr. The lift will occur between 9-11am on 5/31. During the lift, the following closures will be in place:


  • Wacker Dr, from Washington St to Monroe St
  • Madison St, from Franklin St to the Madison St Bridge


Additionally, pedestrian access will be limited in the area bounded by Wacker Dr, Washington St, Franklin St, and Monroe St for the safety of all personnel and pedestrians


Harrison Street Bridge Closure

From 9:30am - 2:30pm each day on Monday, June 1 through Thursday, June 4, the Harrison Street Bridge will be closed for testing and repairs. Eastbound vehicles will be rerouted using Clinton St, Roosevelt Rd, and Clark St, and westbound traffic will be rerouted via Clark St, Roosevelt Rd, and Jefferson St.


Public Assembly:

Cityfront Plaza

On Friday, June 5, a public assembly will take place near Ciityfront Plaza at 455 N Cityfront Plaza Dr. The City is estimating an attendance of 100 people.


State Street Closed for State / Lake CTA Station Reconstruction

As part of the ongoing State / Lake CTA Station Reconstruction project, a full closure has been implemented on State Street, from Wacker Drive to Randolph Street. State Street is scheduled to remain closed until June 19, 2026. Lake Street, between State Street and Wabash Avenue, will remain closed indefinitely. Please click here for the detour map. During this closure, emergency sewer repair work will also be completed on State Street.


Until the closure is lifted, northbound vehicles will be rerouted to Randolph Street, Dearborn Street, and Kinzie Street to re-access State Street. Southbound vehicles will be rerouted to Kinzie Street, Clark Street, and Washington Street to re-access State Street. Local business and driveway access on State Street will be maintained during the closures. All sidewalks and crosswalks are open for pedestrians. The underground CTA Red Line train station at Lake will remain open. As a result of the closure on State Street, the following CTA bus stops will be eliminated at State & Lake until Friday, June 19:


#2 - Hyde Park Express, #6 – Jackson Park Express, #10 – Museum Science & Industry, #29 – State, #36 – Broadway, #62 – Archer, #146 – Inner Lake Shore/Michigan Express, #148 – Clarendon/Michigan Express.


Utility Work:

Grand Avenue - Bally's Casino

To prepare for the new permanent Bally's Casino, utility work will be completed on Grand Ave in River North. As a result of this construction, Grand Ave, between Union Ave and Kingsbury St, will be reduced to one lane in each direction. These closures will be in place until the first week of July.


Canal St Reconstruction

The closures remain on the east half of Canal St, between Adams and Madison, and parking on Canal, between Adams and Madison, will be prohibited. Two lanes on the west side of Canal St will be maintained for northbound traffic. These closures will last until late 2026. Pedestrian traffic will be maintained on the west side of Canal St, and access to driveways and commercial loading zones will be maintained.


Bridge Construction Updates

Work continues on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge. The sidewalk on the southwest corner of the bridge will remain closed until summer 2026. The Lake Street Bascule Bridge is expected to re-open by spring 2028. The detour map can be found here. Alderman Reilly has expressed frustration with the lack of planning and coordination from CDOT, but he is hopeful that new CDOT Commissioner William Cheaks will improve traffic conditions downtown. The State Street Bridge is now open. The approximate completion date for the Chicago Avenue Bridge is January 2027, and the Lake Street Bridge will be completed by spring 2028.