December 06, 2024

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Alderman Reilly Reports

Alderman Reilly Demands Transparency from City Departments

At the Department of Human Resources budget hearing on Tuesday, Alderman Reilly questioned Commissioner Blakemore about hierarchy in their reporting processes. This comes after disturbing reports of misconduct among the Mayor’s staff and the administration's disciplinary response. Click here to hear Alderman Reilly’s line of questioning starting at time stamp 04:30:35 and ending at 04:43:00.

Shared Cost Sidewalk Program

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have been a part of this popular program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation. New applicants can apply on Monday, January 13, 2025 from 6 am - 10 pm.  


Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on availability of funds. The program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early. 


Applications will only be accepted via the City’s 311 system. Applicants can apply for the program by calling 311 or visiting CHI311 online. 

 

Please click here for more information regarding the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program.

Chicago's Christkindlmarket is OPEN!

The annual Christkindlmarket is open now through Saturday, December 24 on Daley Plaza located at 50 West Washington Street. For weekend programming, there will be a full closure of W. Washington Street, including the CTA bus lane, between Clark Street and Dearborn Street starting at 5 a.m. each Saturday morning and ending at 11 p.m. Sunday night on the following dates: November 19–20, 26–27, December 3–4, 10–11 and 17–18. Hours are Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. –8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. –9 p.m. with special hours on holidays. For complete details, visit Christkindlmarket.com/.

Cold Weather Precautions

The City of Chicago encourages residents to be prepared for cold temperatures over the weekend. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will work closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) to monitor weather conditions 24/7 and alert the public to any changes in the severity of the expected drop in temperatures.

 

Residents are reminded to make your family, home and vehicles prepared for winter conditions. Severe cold temperatures, strong winds and snow can cause additional hazards, whether home or traveling, so it’s important to stay informed. OEMC issues several alerts and notifications to keep people up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.


  • Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at http://www.notifychicago.org/
  • CHILAKE: For lakefront notices including flooding, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
  • CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

 

Warming Centers

When temperatures are at 32ºF or below, DFSS activates warming areas at our six community service centers. These warming centers operate Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  


Chicago Parks District facilities and Chicago Public Libraries also provide spaces available to the public during their typical business hours. Click here to view a map of more than 190 public facilities serving as warm indoor spaces citywide, and find the location nearest you, or contact 3-1-1 via phone or online at 311.chicago.gov.

 

Cold-Weather Tips:

  • Motorists should take extra precautions to winterize vehicles and have necessary supplies on-the-go. Keep in mind, disabled vehicles or distracted driving can cause accidents, impact traffic and others requiring emergency services.
  • Residents should know the signs and care of frostbite and hypothermia. For Winter preparation information visit, gov/OEMC for details and links to other local, state, and federal resources.
  • Avoid unnecessary trips outside. If you must go out, limit the time you stay outside.
  • Wear several layers of loose, warm cloth.
  • Keep your head, hands and feet covered when outdoor.
  • Stay dry because moisture can damage the insulation effectiveness of clothing.
  • Don’t forget your pets, bring them inside during bitter cold and numbing wetness, to stay safe and warm.


Winter Parking Restrictions

Beginning December 1, 2022, if you see a posted sign that says "No Parking’ between 3:00 am and 7:00 am" that means that the winter overnight parking ban is in effect on this street, whether it snows or not.


Do not park at this location between 3:00 am and 7:00 am from December 1, 2022 - April 1, 2023 or you will be ticketed or towed. 


Visit the City of Chicago's winter snow parking restrictions page to learn more. Chicagoans can visit chicagoshovels.org or a map of streets impacted by the ban and to view the City’s snow plows in real-time during a storm.

CAPS Meetings

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

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


Click here for 18th District meeting locations.


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

  • Beat 122 CAPS Meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 11th at 5:30pm


To RSVP to attend in person, click here. To register for the Zoom meeting, please click here.

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects


Residential Lighting Project Notice: Huron, from Michigan to Fairbanks


The Chicago Department of Transportation began installation of new street lights on East Huron Street, between North Michigan Avenue and North Fairbanks Court. John Burns Construction is the contractor for this project and Stanley Consultants is providing resident engineering services for the Chicago Department of Transportation.


The work will include the installation of foundations, boring of underground conduits, cable pulling, the installation of new residential lighting poles with piggyback lights, LED Smart Lighting luminaires, and the restoration of concrete sidewalks and parkways disturbed by the construction. The existing light poles will be removed once the new lighting system is functioning properly.


During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above so that work may be performed safely. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, and residents can park normally after the posted hours and overnight, and usually all day on weekends.


The project is expected to be completed by December 2024.


Helicopter Lift - 118 N Clark

A four hour helicopter lift will be taking place at 118 N Clark Street on December 7 at 7:30 AM. The following street closures will be in effect during the lift:


  • West Randolph Street Between North LaSalle Street and North Dearborn Street
  • North Clark Street Between West Lake Street and West Calhoun Street


Crane Lift 758 N Larrabee Street


Stevenson Crane was hired to remove a statue from the roof of 758 N Larrabee Street. The lift will occur on Saturday, December 14, between 9am and 4pm. 


During the lift, Larrabee, from Superior to Chicago will be closed to vehicular traffic.


Filming


Chicago PD at Ohio House Motel


On Monday, December 9th, a television show will be filming interior scenes at 600 N LaSalle St. During filming, parking will be prohibited at the following locations: 


  • Monday, December 9th at 6:00 AM through 10:00 PM:
  • East Side of Wells St from Erie St to Grand Ave
  • South Side of Ontario St from LaSalle St to Wells St


If you have any questions, concerns or special needs, please contact: Jim

Turner, 312-420-6413 or Phil Merker, 478-227-2727. 


Pin & Link Project on Randolph and Columbus


CDOT crews are scheduled to perform steel work and bridge expansion joint rehab along Randolph Street, Columbus Drive, and Stetson Avenue. Please see details below:


General Construction Schedule:

7:00 am - 3:30 pm, Monday - Friday; with the occasional extension to 5:30 pm as needed. 

 

Scope of Work and Access Impacts During Construction:

In general, one lane of travel will be open at all times along each roadway, level, and direction. Access along sidewalks will remain open with detours around the work areas.  

 

Week of 11/18 thru 11/22:

  • This upcoming week crews are to wrap up work for this construction season, contract work is to be suspended until 2025. They will be demobilizing along Randolph Street, Columbus Drive, and Stetson Avenue and will be off site by 11/22.



River North Lighting Program


Below is an week lookahead for the River North Lighting Program:


December 2-7


Crew 1 will be boring and finishing up south side of superior. This includes helixes and tying in conduit.

Crew 2 will be installing helixes and tying in conduit on Erie west of Kingsbury and east of Larrabee. They will also be installing Street lights on superior and Huron west of Sedgwick and East of Kingsbury.

Crew 3 will be installing helix’s and tying in conduit on Huron west of Kingsbury and east of Larrabee.

Crew 4 when available will continue to break down existing poles and breaking out concrete. If back hole is unavailable, they will install streetlights where helixes are installed.



Bridge Repair


CDOT crews began bridge repairs (Gusset Plate & Sidewalk Bracket repairs) at the Grand Avenue Bridge over the N Branch of the Chicago River. Work is expected to be completed Friday, December 6th.


Traffic Impact during Construction: Daily closure will be set up 7am - 4 pm

Set up includes the following:

  • One sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians traffic during construction
  • WB and EB will be partially closed still allowing two-way traffic.



Franklin St Bridge Sidewalk and Roadway Rehabilitation Improvements


On Monday, March 18th, the Chicago Department of Transportation crews began a multi-phase project to perform selective roadway grating replacement at the Franklin Street 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 and selective roadway grating panels replacement.


Construction Schedule:

7:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, from Monday, March 18th until Friday, December 6th. End date is tentative, contingent upon expected Central Business District Moratoriums


For project-related questions, please contact CDOTbridgesection@cityofchicago.org


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.