July 11, 2025

Alderman Reilly Reports

Alderman Reilly in the Media

Following last week’s mass shooting outside 311 West Chicago Avenue, Aldermen Reilly and Waguespack spoke with CBS Chicago about their ongoing legislative efforts to license and regulate event promoters. Click here to watch the interview. Alderman Reilly also joined Andrea Darlas on WLS Radio to discuss public safety in the 42nd Ward and the future of NASCAR in Grant Park [click here].

Alderman Reilly Attends Chicago Marine Week Opening Ceremony

On Thursday, Alderman Reilly was honored to attend the United States Marine’s 250th birthday celebration kick-off event in Chicago. Alderman Reilly was invited to participate in the event as the Honorary Civic Leader of downtown Chicago. The event celebrated the long-standing bravery, tradition, and sacrifice of the Marines.

Alderman Reilly gave remarks to the group of Marines and attendees, and he was able to take part in the time-honored birthday celebration of the Marines, in which the oldest and youngest members present cut a slice of cake together. As the Honorary Guest, Alderman Reilly received the first slice of cake.

The Alderman was grateful to welcome the Marines to Chicago as part of their tour across the country to celebrate their 250 years of service to our country. Please see photos below from the event!

Streeterville Mural Graffiti Removed

This week, the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) reported that the recently erected Streeterville Mural had been painted with graffiti. Alderman Reilly’s office, in tandem with Alderman Hopkins’ office and the Chicago Mural Project, was able to quickly remove the graffiti and restore the mural to its original form. Alderman Reilly thanks these parties for their continued support of the Streeterville neighborhood. Please see below for before-and-after photos taken during this week’s restoration efforts.

Before

After

Planned Residential Conversion:

444 North Wabash Avenue

KJF Properties is moving forward with plans to convert the upper floors of the five-story commercial building at 444 North Wabash Avenue into residential. The project will adaptively reuse the vacant upper floors while preserving the ground-floor and basement commercial spaces. The proposal includes 34 new residential units, no private outdoor space or rooftop deck is proposed, and the building will not include any off-street parking.

The development complies with the existing DX-12 Zoning. However, the applicant is seeking minor zoning relief to waive the open space, loading berth, and parking requirements. The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will hold a public hearing at City Hall on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM to consider this application. This meeting will also be available to watch online via livestream.

Taste of River North Returns Next Weekend

Taste of River North is returning to Wells St on July 18 from 5-10pm and July 19 from 11:00am - 10:00pm. During the festival, residents can expect the following street closures:

North Wells Street, from Chicago Avenue to Ontario Street
West Erie Street, from Franklin Street to Clark Street
West Huron Street, from Franklin Street to Clark Street
West Superior Street, from Franklin Street to Clark Street

Taste of River North includes food from local vendors, live music, and many games and activities for Chicagoans of all ages. Representatives from our office will be stationed at the event from 11:00am - 5:30pm on Saturday, July 19.

Lollapalooza Returns to Grant Park July 31

Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park on Thursday, July 31. Please see the letter below from the Lollapalooza Team in anticipation of Lollapalooza's return to Grant Park beginning Thursday, July 31. Grant Park will remain closed from Wednesday, July 16 through Saturday, August 9.

During closure, a temporary dog park will be set up to the southeast of Grant Skate Park. Pickleball courts will be closed from 11pm on Sunday, July 27 through Tuesday, August 5 at 6am. Please see the letter below from the Lollapalooza Team to the community in anticipation of the festival.

CAPS Meetings

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

Beat 1824 CAPS meeting will be held on July 17th at 6pm at 1201 N Clark St
Beat 1831 CAPS meeting will be held on July 22nd at 5pm at 510 N LaSalle Dr
Beat 1832 CAPS meeting will be held on July 22nd at 6pm at 510 N LaSalle Dr
Beat 1833 CAPS meeting will be held on July 24th at 5pm at 303 E Superior St
Beat 1834 CAPS meeting will be held on July 24th at 6pm at 303 E Superior St

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

Beat 121 CAPS meeting will be held on July 16th at 5:30pm at 26 S Clinton

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

Pin & Link Project:

Randolph, Columbus, & Stetson

CDOT crews began to perform steel work and bridge expansion joint rehab along Randolph Street, Columbus Drive, and Stetson Avenue on Wednesday, July 9. Please see details below:

General Construction Schedule:

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

07/09 - 07/11 and 07/14 - 07/18:

Columbus Drive (Wacker Dr. to Randolph St.):
Traffic barrels and fencing along the west side of Columbus
West side of Intermediate Level (07/09 - 07/25)
Upper Level (07/15 - 07/18)
Access Impacts:
West curb lane closure and parking restrictions
Driveway access to be maintained
Pedestrian detours around the sidewalk work areas (intermediate level only)

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.

Work is anticipated to begin along Randolph St. and Stetson Ave. the week of July 21, and work is anticipated to begin along westbound Randolph St. from Columbus Dr. to Field Blvd. the week of 07/28 - 08/01. More details to be provided in future weekly updates.

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Late-Hour Filming:

North Orleans Street, from Division to Erie

On Monday, July 14 and Tuesday, July 15, Ultraviolet will be filming scenes along Orleans Street. The production company will be utilizing a CTA train during filming. During filming, prep and wrap, parking will be prohibited at the following locations. Please note the streets within the 42nd ward are bolded:

Monday, July 14 at 5pm to Tuesday, July 15 at 5am
North Orleans Street, form Division St to Chicago Ave
North Orleans Street, from Chicago Ave to Erie St
Monday, July 14 at 8pm to Tuesday, July 15 at 5am (Intermittent Traffic Control during Temporary Filming)
Chicago Avenue, from Sedgwick St to Franklin St
Huron Street, from 318 W Huron to Orleans St
Superior Street, from 311 W Superior to Orleans St
Institute Place, from 314 Insititute to Orleans
Chestnut Street, from 313 W Chestnut to Orleans
Locust Street, from 315 W Locust to Orleans
Walton Street, from 319 W Walton to Orleans
Oak Street, from 309 W Oak to Orleans
Hill Street, from 230 W Hill to Orleans

Pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be rerouted, and the filming will not include any additional sound effects. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Assistant Location Managers Ben Miner (574-707-5255) or Matt Cholewick (708-527-8289). Click here for a map of the Orleans Street closures.

Middle Stetson Street

On Saturday, July 12 at 9pm until Tuesday, July 15 at 6pm, Durango will be filming scenes for an upcoming television series. During filming, prep and wrap, parking will be prohibited at the following locations:

Saturday, July 12: 9:00 PM until Tuesday, July 15 at 6:00 PM
Both Sides of Middle South Water from Michigan to Middle Stetson
Both Sides of Middle Stetson from Middle South Water to Middle Lake

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Bobby Demarkis (Key Assistant Location Manager) at 224-588-2037 or Agron Karameti (Assistant Location Manager) at 312-625-3095.

Canal St Construction

Starting July 11 and running through July 15, CDOT will be completing work on Canal Street, from Jackson St to Van Buren St. During construction, CDOT will implement a full closure of Canal St from Jackson to Van Buren. During the work, vehicles will be rerouted, and local access will be maintained for businesses and residents with driveways. One sidewalk will be maintained at all times during construction.

ComEd East Water St Utility Work

ComEd is expected to begin work on the north side of East Water Street on Monday, July 14. Sidewalk access will be diverted from Ogden Slip, and signage will be installed at the corner of Water St and McClurg Ct to inform pedestrians of sidewalk closures. At least one driveway to every residential building affected by construction will remain open at all times. Access to the Riverview Condos on the south side of E Water St will not be impacted by ComEd's work.

Lighting Improvement Work on Ohio Street

Starting July 15, CDOT will begin work on lighting fixtures on West Ohio Street from 417 W Ohio to the corner of Ohio and Kingsbury St. The work will include installation of foundations, cables, new residential lighting poles with piggyback lights, smart LED bulbs, and the restoration of concrete sidewalks and parkways altered by the construction.

During construction, temporary "No Parking" signs will be periodically installed as required for each series of installations. Overnight and weekend parking will remain open during the work. The existing lights will remain working until the new lighting system is fully functional. Please notify 311 if an existing light is not functioning at night.

Street Resurfacing - Wabash Ave from Wacker Dr to Balbo Dr

Starting July 7, street resurfacing work began on Wabash Avenue from Wacker Drive to East Balbo Drive. The work is a part of the Chicago Department of Transportation's Arterial Street Resurfacing Project.

The work will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement, milling and paving the existing asphalt, and striping improvements. During construction, temporary "No Parking" signs will be periodically installed. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions on construction closures.

Work is estimated to be completed by October 31, 2025.

Ohio Street I-90/94 Feeder Ramp Resurfacing

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will be performing resurfacing work on the outbound lanes of the Ohio Street feeder ramp. Only two lanes will be closed at a time. The project is estimated to be in progress until late 2025.

Halsted Avenue & Chicago Avenue Bridge Project

A recent Reilly Report outlined preliminary plans for CDOT's work on Halsted Avenue and the Chicago Avenue Bridge, set to begin August 1 and September 1 of 2025, respectively. CDOT's proposed work schedule is 7:00am-3:30pm on weekdays, with the possibility for work on Saturdays during the same working hours. To watch a recorded meeting of CDOT’s presentation of this project, please click here.

The work on Halsted Avenue is expected to be completed by the end of Summer 2026, and work on the Chicago Avenue Bridge is expected to be completed by the end of the year 2026.

676 North Michigan Avenue Façade Project

Redmond Construction was hired to complete a façade project at 676 North Michigan Avenue. Currently, the following closures are in-place:

Sidewalk on the south side of Huron, from Michigan Avenue to a point 150' west thereof
Curb lane on the south side of Huron, from Michigan Avenue to a point 150' west thereof is being used as a pedestrian walkway
Partial sidewalk closure the west side of Michigan, from Huron to a point 100' south thereof

This project is expected to be completed by fall 2025.

State Street Bridge Project

Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has begun structural repair work on the State Street Bridge. Throughout the project, the bridge will remain closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. State Street will remain open on both sides of the bridge during construction, and vehicles crossing the river will be rerouted to Clark Street and Dearborn Street.

The project is expected to be completed at the beginning of December 2025.

River North Lighting Project

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has completed new light pole installation in the area bounded by Chicago, Ontario, Orleans, and the river. CDOT continues to restore infrastructure trenching.

Bally's Casino Caisson Pours

Caisson pours are nearing completion and will be followed by foundation and utility work
Total number of Casino and Hotel caissons: 356
Total Casino Piles: 202

Work hours will continue to be 8am-8pm. However, if an issue arises during a pour, there is the potential that crews will work past 8pm. Once a caisson pour begins, it cannot stop until it is finished.