October 29, 2021
Alderman Reilly Reports
Alderman Reilly votes "No" on 2022 Budget & Tax Increase
On Wednesday, Alderman Reilly cast votes against the 2022 City Budget and the $76.5 million property tax increase. The Alderman joined Anna Davalantes on WGN Radio to discuss the 2022 City Budget and property tax increase. Please click here to listen to the radio interview. 

Historically, Alderman Reilly has consistently fought to hold the line on taxes - voting to reject property tax increases proposed by Mayors Daley, Emanuel and Lightfoot. In 2021, the Alderman voted against Mayor Lightfoot’s perpetual property tax increase, which is tied to the Consumer Price Index. 

The 2022 Budget includes $1.9 billion in federal relief funds. Instead of spending the federal relief to improve the City’s financial standing, the 2022 Budget funds unsustainable programs - such as the Guaranteed Basic Income Program (GBIP). The GBIP provides thousands of Chicagoans with “free money” every month for several years as an experiment. While the program has good intentions, Alderman Reilly fundamentally disagrees with providing people with “free money” while asking others to pay more in property taxes.  

Additionally, the 2022 Budget appropriates tens of millions of dollars towards “discretionary funds” that are not earmarked for specific line items in the budget, which could lead to irresponsible spending. Alderman Reilly acknowledges the 2022 City Budget includes needed funding for social services, homeless outreach, and mental health, but the bad spending outweighs the good. 

During city budget negotiations, the Alderman urged the Administration to increase funding to hire more police officers and consider cutting personnel costs by eliminating funded (but vacant) positions for 2022 and cutting 1,000 middle-management (non-union) positions that typically pay six figures & manage only a few employees each.

Throughout the budget process, Alderman Reilly sought to secure funding to repair the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) downed helicopter and purchase additional helicopters. Helicopters bolster CPD’s ability to patrol large areas by increasing visibility - this is crucial when targeting carjackers. The Alderman is  pleased to announce that Superintendent David Brown has agreed to allocate funding to repair CPD’s inoperative helicopter and the department is being donated another helicopter. 

The Alderman is committed to working cooperatively with the Mayor to craft future budget proposals with an eye toward building a smaller, less costly and more efficient city government.

Alderman Reilly is grateful to the many hundreds of neighbors who called and emailed to share feedback and express concerns about the 2022 City Budget.
North Grant Park & Streeterville Curbside Management Study
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is conducting a survey aimed to better understand the transportation and traffic related problems encountered in the densely populated North Grant Park and Streeterville areas. 

The survey will help the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) formalize its understanding of curbside management; it will also assess physical, operational, and regulatory solutions and recommendations.
 
Alderman Reilly encourages Streeterville and Lakeshore East residents to complete this 5-minute survey to provide  input relating to the transportation and traffic problems encountered in the study area. Click here to access the survey.

18th District Community Conversation
On Wednesday, November 4, from 6pm to 8pm, the 18th District CAPS Office will be holding the second of a two-part series to develop their 2022 Strategic Plan. This meeting is an opportunity for local residents to help craft policing strategies and identity crime hot-spots that need more attention in the coming year. 
 
The meeting will be held via Zoom and residents are encouraged to attend. Please see the flyer below for Zoom login information and additional details.
1st District Community Conversations
On Wednesday, November 10, from 6pm to 8pm, the 1st District CAPS Office will be holding the first of a two-part series to develop their 2022 Strategic Plan. This meeting is an opportunity for local residents to help craft policing strategies and identity crime hot-spots that need more attention in the coming year. 
 
The meeting will be held via Zoom and residents are encouraged to attend. Please see the flyer below for Zoom login information and additional details.
Arts in the Dark Parade
On Saturday, October 30, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm the Arts in the Dark Parade will return to State Street. This event is free to the public and has drawn over 50,000 guests and participants to the City of Chicago for a unique Halloween celebration. 

Parade participants will assemble at 200-240 North State Street and march south to Van Buren Street where they will disband. The following intersection will be closed to vehicular access during the parade:

  • State and Lake
  • State and Randolph
  • State and Washington
  • State and Madison
  • State and Monroe
  • State and Adams
  • State and Jackson
  • State and Van Buren

Please click here for more information regarding the Arts in the Dark Parade.
FREE Smoke Alarms at the 42nd Ward Office

Stop by our office in City Hall, Room 200 at 121 N. LaSalle Street for a free smoke detector! Most fires occur at night when people are sleeping. A smoke detector can alert you when there is a fire, in time to save your life.
Below are some tips to ensure your smoke detector is properly installed and working correctly:
  • Make sure you are testing your detector correctly.
  • When a smoke detector sounds, get outside and call 911. Stay outside!
  • Install smoke detectors within 15 feet of any sleeping room and every level of your house
  • Replace your smoke detector every 10 years. Write the install date on the unit.
  • Don't forget to install Carbon Monoxide detectors on every floor as well.
  • Any questions on smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors, call the Chicago Fire Department Public Education Division at (312) 747-6691.
A special thank you to the Chicago Fire Department for the smoke detector! Smoke detectors can be picked up from the 42nd Ward Office between the hours of 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday located in City Hall, Room 200.
 
For any other questions or to coordinate picking up a smoke alarm, please call us at (312) 744-3062 or send us a note via [email protected]. 
Chicago Creative Worker Assistance Program
The Chicago Creative Worker Assistance Program will provide 450 – 500 relief grants to low and moderate income artists and creative workers who are residents of Chicago and have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including freelance artists, arts administrators, teaching artists, artisans, curators, independent cultural producers and creative industry technicians such as stage managers, theater and music technicians, art handlers, preparators, cinematographers, and film lighting technicians/gaffers. Grants will range from $2,000 - $5,000. Grants will be distributed via a lottery system.

Please click here for information regarding the grant application.

The application deadline is November 10 at 5pm Central Standard Time.
Annual Fall Bridge Lifts Along the Chicago River
The City of Chicago began the autumn bridge lifts on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m. Following the kickoff, bridges along the main and south branches of the Chicago River will be lifted sequentially on a twice weekly schedule, Saturdays and Wednesdays, to allow sailboats and other recreational boats to make their annual trip from the open waters of Lake Michigan to their winter storage facilities. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) oversees these bridge lifts each year, in the spring and fall seasons.  
 
During these “boat runs,” the bridges are typically raised one at a time, with each bridge lift taking an average of 8-12 minutes. While the bridge is in the upright position, traffic is halted, and drivers may use alternate streets or wait until the bridge is lowered. A list of affected streets, from Lake Shore Drive to the end of the South Branch is below.  
 
Due to ongoing work happening on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, the bridge lift of DuSable 
Lake Shore Drive Bridge may have longer than usual delays. CDOT is urging motorists planning to drive on Lake Shore Drive around 9:00 am on Saturdays and 9:30 am on Wednesdays to re-route in order to avoid delays, as the bridge closure could last longer. 
 
A total of 27 bridges will be lifted in succession from Lake Shore Drive to Ashland Avenue Bridge on the south branch of the Chicago River. In the event that no boat owners have made arrangements to move their boats on a scheduled day, the bridges will not be lifted. 
The streets affected by the bridge lifts are: Lake Shore Drive, Columbus Dr., Michigan Ave., Wabash Ave., State St., Dearborn St., Clark St., La Salle St., Wells St., Franklin St., Lake St., Randolph St., Washington St., Madison St., Monroe St., Adams St., Jackson Blvd., Van Buren St., Congress Pkwy., Harrison St., Roosevelt Rd., 18th St., Canal St., Cermak Ave., Halsted St., Loomis Ave., and Ashland Ave. 
 
The Fall 2021 bridge lift schedule is as follows: 
  
  • Saturday, Oct. 30 at 9 a.m.  
  • Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 9:30 a.m. 
  • Saturday, Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. 
  • Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 9:30 a.m. 
  • Saturday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. 
 
The full schedule and a comprehensive list of streets impacted by the autumn bridge lifts can be found at www.chicagodot.org.   
2021 Chicago City Markets

Chicago City Markets sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products and rare finds – at Chicago’s longest running farmers market on Daley Plaza, the historic Maxwell Street Market and a dozen more community markets in neighborhoods across Chicago.

These markets are typically open from May to October. Below is more information about participating markets in or near the 42nd Ward:
Saturdays
1817 N. Clark St.
May 1–October 30, 7am–1pm

100 W. Division St.
May 15–October 30, 7am–12pm

115 S. Sangamon St.
June 5–October 30, 8am–1pm
42nd Ward Street Closures and Construction Notices
Crane Lift: 77 West Wacker Drive

On Saturday, November 14 from 8am-5pm, there will be a crane lift at 77 W. Wacker Drive. During the lift, the following will be closed:

  • Sidewalk on the east side of Clark, from Wacker to a point 200' south thereof
  • Curb lanes on both sides of Clark, from Wacker to a point 200' south thereof
  • Both southbound traffic lanes on Clark, from Wacker to a point 200' south thereof

The curb lane on the west side of Clark will be used for southbound traffic. There will be flaggers and barricades in-place throughout the lift.

42nd Ward Filmings

Chicago Med

On Tuesday, November 2 to Thursday, November 4, Chicago Med will be filming a scene at 401 North Michigan Avenue. The scene is meant to mimic classic big-city holiday tree-lighting festivities. Chicago Med will erect 3/4 of a holiday tree, which is 16’ in diameter and 14’ tall, with the remainder of the tree created with post-production visual effects.

Parking will be prohibited at the following locations:

  • South Side of E Illinois St. from N Michigan Ave. to North City Front Plaza Drive (Tuesday, November 2 at 7am to Thursday, November 4 at 7am)
  • South Side of E North Water St from N Cityfront Plaza Dr. to N Columbus Drive (Tuesday, November 2 at 7am to Thursday, November 4 at 7am)
  • South Side of E Illinois St. from N Cityfront Plaza Dr. to 240 E Illinois St. (Wednesday, November 3 at 7am-11pm)
  • West Side of N Cityfront Plaza Dr. from E Illinois St. to E North Water St. (Wednesday, November 3 at 7am-11pm)
  • Both Sides of N Michigan Ave (Turnabouts) from 400 N Michigan Ave. to 420 N. Michigan Ave (Wednesday, November 3 at 7am-11pm)
  • North Side of E Illinois St. from N Columbus Dr. to N McClurg Ct. (Wednesday, November 3 at 7am-11pm)
  • East Side of N Park Dr. From E Illinois St. to E North Water St. (Wednesday, November 3 at 7am-11pm)

There will be intermittent traffic closures at the following locations:

  • E. Illinois St. from N Michigan Ave to 240 E Illinois St (Wednesday, November 3, from f12pm-11pm)
  • Cityfront Plaza Dr from E Illinois St to E North Water Street (Wednesday, November 3, from f12pm-11pm)
  • N Michigan Ave (Turnabouts) from 400 N Michigan Ave. to 420 N. Michigan Ave (Wednesday, November 3, from 7pm-10pm)

Chicago Fire

330 North Wabash

On Thursday, November 4, from 9am-3pm, Chicago Fire will be filming scenes in the plaza at 330 N Wabash Avenue. There will be ITC on State Street, from the Wacker Drive to Kinzie Street during the filming.

320 North Dearborn

On Thursday, November 4, from 3am to 4pm, Chicago Fire will be filming inside 320 North Dearborn Street. During the filming, parking will be prohibited on the east side of Dearborn, from 320 to 345 North Dearborn.

160 North LaSalle

Chicago Fire is filming inside 160 N LaSalle on Monday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 2, from 7am-6pm. Parking will be prohibited at the following location:

  • North Side of Randolph From Lasalle To Wells

Commercial Filming

On Wednesday, November 3 and Thursday, November 4, from 5am to 6pm, Levinson Locations will be filming a commercial inside 433 W. Van Buren. During the filming, parking will be prohibited on the west side of South Wacker Drive, from West Van Buren to 300 South Wacker Drive.

ComEd Vault Roof Replacement

ComEd is replacing a sidewalk vault roof at 344 West Erie Street. Work hours will be 8am-3pm, 5-days a week. 
 
Throughout the work, the sidewalk and curb lane on the north side of West Erie, from North Orleans to the first alley west thereof will be closed. 
 
There will be barricades, detour signs, and flaggers on-site throughout the project. All work is expected to be completed by the beginning of December (weather dependent).

Lakeshore East Park ComEd Project

As part of the utility work for the Lakeshore East IJKL Site, ComEd will need to access a manhole in Lakeshore East Park. ComEd will be blocking off the surrounding area of the manhole and laying down protection boards on the grass to maintain the landscape's integrity. ComEd will begin its work on Wednesdy, October 11th. Work will take place in the evening between 6:00pm-6:00am and plans to complete it's work by Wednesday, November 3rd. The protection boards and blocked off area will remain in place for the entire duration of the work.

Crane Lift: 1 South Wells Street

On Saturday, November 13 and Sunday, November 14, from 8am-3pm there will be a crane lift at 1 South Wells Street.

During the lift, the following will be closed:

  • Sidewalk on the north side of Madison, from Wells to a point 200' east thereof
  • Curb land on the north side of Madison, from Wells to a point 200' east thereof
  • BRT on Madison, from Wells to a point 200' east thereof
  • One Westbound traffic lane on Madison, from Wells to a point 200' east thereof

They will have barricades and flaggers in-place throughout the lift. One lane of traffic will remain open for westbound traffic at all times (one-way westbound).

St. Clair Water Main Project

This project has been placed on-hold until 2022.

LG Construction: 751 N. Hudson and 451 W Chicago 

LG Construction has 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). 

Wacker Drive Repainting Project
 
In late-July, the Chicago Department of Transportation began repainting Lower/Middle Wacker Drive, from North Field Boulevard to Lake Shore Drive. Work hours will be 8am-8pm, 6-days a week. 
 
CDOT will be sandblasting/repainting 80' sections of Wacker Drive at a time. The sandblasting/repainting area will be contained and exhaust fans will be in-place to remove dust and fumes.
 
Traffic will be maintained in both directions at all times, and access to parking garages will not be blocked. 
 
This project is expected to be completed mid-December 2021. 

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 mid-December. 

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. 

Construction: 609 West Randolph Street
 
Construction of a 15-story commercial building at 609 West Randolph Street began in mid-January. Throughout the duration of the project, the following will be closed:

  • Curb/Traffic lane and sidewalk on south side of West Randolph, from North Jefferson to 621 West Randolph

There will be a canopy with a concrete crash wall and plywood enclosure for pedestrian use in the closed traffic lane on West Randolph, from North Jefferson to 621 West Randolph.

There will be detour signs, barricades, and flaggers in place for the duration of the project. This project is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2022 (weather dependent).

Façade Work: 160 North LaSalle Street

Bowa Construction began work in October 2020 to perform façade and cladding work at 160 North LaSalle Street. During the work, there will be scaffolding on the east, north, and south sides of the building. 

All work is expected to be completed in December 2021.

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.