May 26, 2023

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Alderman Reilly Reports

Alderman Reilly's Office Closed on Memorial Day Monday, May 29

Please be advised that Alderman Reilly's 42nd Ward Office, Chicago Public Libraries, and other government offices will be closed on Memorial Day Monday, May 29 to comply with the City of Chicago mandatory holiday schedule.

 

If you have a need for city services, please call 311 for non-emergency requests, or dial 911 if you require immediate assistance.

This Week at City Council

This week, as Mayor Johnson presided over his first meeting of the newly-elected City Council, Alderman Reilly wasted no time to introduce and co-sponsor important new initiatives, described below, to begin this next term:


O2023-2093: Alderman Reilly co-sponsored Mayor Johnson’s ordinance to establish a long-term version of Chicago’s Expanded Outdoor Dining (EOD) program. Chicago’s EOD program expired at the end of 2022 after providing support to hundreds of restaurants throughout the pandemic. As reported in Reilly Reports, the majority of River North residents who responded to our survey strongly support closing Clark Street between Grand Avenue and Kinzie Street to continue this program. 


The ordinance introduced this week would create a long-term EOD program that allows eligible restaurants and bars to continue to responsibly operate on the roadway immediately in front of or adjacent to their establishment. Permits would be valid from May 1 through October 31 on an annual basis. Click here to read a summary of the ordinance. This matter will be discussed at a Committee on License and Consumer Protection meeting on Tuesday, May 30th at 1 PM. Click here to view meeting details.


O2023-2100: Alderman Reilly re-introduced an ordinance that the previous Administration did not progress. This ordinance strengthens various enforcement mechanisms for bad acting liquor establishments by creating a mechanism to deny renewal of licenses, defining “remedial measures” imposed on bad actors, and requiring such measures be implemented in a timely manner. Click here to read a summary of this ordinance. 


O2023-2101: Alderman Reilly introduced an ordinance to fill in the gaps of liquor moratoria, due to the new 42nd Ward boundary that took effect on May 15th. This ordinance restricts the issuance of new Tavern and Package Goods licenses for new bars and liquor stores. This restriction does not prohibit the issuance of “incidental licenses” required to open new restaurants or hotels.

Suenos Music Festival

On Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, Suenos Music Festival will return to Grant Park. Set-up for the event is already underway, and tear down will be complete by June 2.


With multiple festivals, concerts, athletic events, the opening of beaches and simultaneous events throughout the city and along the lakefront this Memorial Day weekend, the City of Chicago is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds and increased traffic and plan accordingly.   


The City of Chicago will have citywide deployments for Memorial Day Weekend to ensure the safety and security of the public. The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will monitor weekend events and weather conditions citywide from the Operations Center and coordinate public safety resources with critical stakeholders. The OEMC will also be activating it’s Emergency Operations Center for the weekend to allow for enhanced citywide coordination amongst the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department and City of Chicago infrastructure departments, city agencies and private partners. 


Traffic control aides will be deployed to facilitate traffic around Grant Park during the Suenos Music Festival. The following main roads will be closed:

  • Balbo from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: Wednesday, May 17 at 6 a.m.–Thursday, June 1 at 11:59 p.m. 
  • Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Ida B. Wells: Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m.– Monday, May 29 at 11:59 p.m. 
  • Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to Michigan Avenue: Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m.–Monday, May 29 at 11:59 p.m. 


Sidewalk Closures:

  • Balbo Drive eastbound and westbound sidewalks from Columbus Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: Thursday, May 18, 6 a.m. to Thursday, June 1 at 11:59 p.m. 
  • Columbus Drive south bound and north bound sidewalks from Roosevelt Road to Balbo: Thursday, May 18, 6 a.m. to Thursday, June 1 to 11:59 p.m. 
  • Balbo Drive east bound and west bound sidewalks from Columbus Drive to Michigan Avenue: Thursday, May 25, 7 p.m. to Monday, May 29 at 11:59 p.m. 
  • DuSable Lake Shore Drive south bound sidewalk from Buckingham Fountain to Roosevelt Road:  Wednesday, May 24, 12:01 a.m. to Tuesday, May 30, 11:59 p.m. 
  • Columbus Drive south bound and north bound sidewalks from Balbo to Ida B. Wells: Thursday, May 25 7 p.m. to Monday, May 29 to 11:59 p.m. 


Please click here to learn more about the festival. For questions or concerns before the event, please  contact [email protected]. To report a concern during the event, residents may text the Neighborhood Answering Service Hotline at 312-500-2646.


NOTE: Due to the Kennedy/Edens Expressway construction, motorists may experience delays and increased traffic on local area streets as drivers find alternative routes to avoid impacts of the project. Public transportation is strongly encouraged. For complete details on the construction project, visit the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) website.

Green Alley Installation: Alley Bounded by Oak, Bellevue, Rush, Lake Shore Drive

Alderman Reilly is pleased to inform you that the reconstruction of the alley bounded by East Oak Street, East Bellevue Place, North Rush Street, and North Lake Shore Drive is currently underway. Construction is expected to take 6 weeks, weather permitting. 


Due to construction the following changes will occur:  


  • Reconstruction will be performed in two stages to minimize overall impacts to access. Please see attached diagram.
  • During construction, residential garbage pickup will be curbside, and CDOT asks that  homeowners relocate cans to the front of their properties.  
  • Commercial Large dumpsters to be stored in the locations shown in the sketch. 
  • The alley will be partially closed for 3 weeks during Stage 1, and then partially closed again for an additional 3 weeks during Stage 2 to complete. 
  • Barricades will block portions of the alley closed to traffic.  
  • Access to garages from the alley will be unavailable.  
  • Homeowners are advised to seek alternative parking.  
  • Garage aprons will be replaced only as needed.  


This project will be managed by the Chicago Department of Transportation. If you require any additional information regarding this project, please contact 312-722-6590.

Share your vision for a more equitable downtown Chicago - take the Central Area Plan survey today at Chicago.gov/CAP2024. Provide input on housing, transportation, economic development, public safety, community engagement and more to help shape the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development’s Central Area Plan Update.

CAPS Meetings

18th District: (312-742-5778 / [email protected])

  • There are no CAPS meetings for the remainder of this month.

1st District: (312-745-4381 / [email protected])

  • There are no CAPS meetings for the remainder of this month.

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Crane Lift: 25 E Oak Street


On Saturday, June 3 (Sunday, June 4 back-up day) there will be a crane lift at 25 E Oak Street. 


The crane will be set-up on Rush Street. During the lift, the following will be closed:


  • Sidewalk on the east side of Rush, from Oak to a point 150' south thereof
  • Curb/traffic lane on the east side of Rush, from Oak to a point 150' south thereof


The curb lane on the west side of Rush, from Oak to a point 150' south there of will be posted NPTZ and used for northbound traffic. 


120 E Oak Street Facade Project


Summit Design + Build will begin a facade project at 120 E Oak Street on Tuesday, May 30. Works hours will be Monday thru Saturday, from 8am-5pm.   


Throughout the project, the sidewalk adjacent to the building will be closed. It will be covered by construction fencing. Pedestrians will be pushed to a protected pedestrian path in the curb lane.


Deliveries will occur between before 9am and debris will be removed between 8am-9am. There will be a gate at the east end of the fencing for deliveries and debris removal.


The project will be completed in early November.


Luv Fest


Luv Fest will be at Daley Plaza on Wednesday, May 31, from 7am to 7pm. Please click here to learn more about Luv Fest.


PGL Resurfacing


During the week of June 5 (weather dependent), PGL will resurfacing the following streets:


  • Complete paving in Rush, Oak to Walton (9a-4p M-F)
  • Complete paving in Lake Shore, Cedar to Bellevue (9a-4p M-F)
  • Complete paving in Walton, Rush to Michigan (9a-4p M-F)
  • Complete paving in Oak, Rush to Michigan (9a-4p M-F)
  • Complete paving at Chestnut & Michigan (9a-4p M-F)
  • Complete paving at Bellevue & Lake Shore (9a-4p M-F)
  • Complete paving at Michigan & Walton (9a-4p M-F)



340 W Superior Roof Project


Clark Roofing will begin a project at 340 West Superior Street on Wednesday, June 14. During the project, Clark Roofing will be using the east end of the alley bounded by Orleans, Chicago, Superior, and Sedgwick to load debris for removal and unload materials.


The project is expected to take 2 months to complete (weather dependent).


Helicopter Lift: Wolf Point


Midwest Helicopter was hired to lift construction materials onto the roof of Wolf Point. They will conduct the lift on Saturday, June 24, from 9am to 10am. 


During the lift, Wacker, from Orleans to Lake will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian access.


Expansion Joint Repair


The Chicago Department of Transportation began repairing the expansion joint at Jackson and Balbo this week. Throughout the repair, one lane of traffic in each direction will remain open.


Work is expected to be completed by June 2023.


Peoples Gas Project: Clark and Adams


PGL began work on Clark (Monroe to Jackson) and Adams (LaSalle to Clark) earlier this month. There will be temporary lane closures on Clark and Adams during permit hours but traffic will be maintained at all times


Work days/hours are Monday-Saturday, from 8am-5pm. This project is expected to be completed in October 2023.


Murphy Auditorium Renovation


Driehaus Museum purchased the Murphy Auditorium at 50 E Erie and plans to begin renovations in June. Work hours are Monday-Friday, from 8-4pm. They plan to complete the following interior alterations:


  • Offices are going to be renovated
  • Stage has sunken – leveled out; fix accessibility issue
  • New elevator to go all the way to the top floor


Throughout the project, the following will be in-place:


  • Pedestrian canopy over the sidewalk in front of 50 E Erie
  • 100' of curb lane will be closed in front of 50 E Erie for material deliveries and small crane


They will need to use a small crane periodically throughout the project to lift materials onto the roof that can't fit through the doorway. Driehaus will notify us in advance of installation of a small crane. 


Small Crane Lift - 99-133 E Grand


ComEd needs to remove/install a transformer for the Marriott Hotel at 99-133 E Grand Avenue. The transformer is in a vault at this location. 


The small crane lift is scheduled for Tuesday, May 30 from 8am to 5pm. During the lift, the following will be closed:


  • Sidewalk on the north side of Lower Grand, from Rush to a point 200' east thereof
  • Curb lane on the northside of Lower Grand, from Rush to a point 200' east thereof


Water/Sewer Connection: 311 W. Huron Street


Beginning next week, Norman mechanical plans to begin the process of tying in the water and sewer connections for the 311 West Huron building. 


The work will take place in two phases. Starting on the south side of the street and moving to the north side of the street.  


At no time will the street be completely closed and one lane of traffic will be maintained at all times.


The water/sewer connection is expected to be completed by May 15.


Dearborn Street Bridge:


Due to equipment and material procurement problems, the Dearborn Street Bridge project will be completed in September 2023 (weather dependent). One lane of traffic will remain open at all times.


Michigan Avenue Bridge Project


On Wednesday, April 26, the median guardrail on the Michigan Avenue Bridge detached from the bridge.


The Chicago Department of Transportation needs to replace 160' of guardrail on the Bridge. As of today, one southbound lane on the bridge will be closed. The closure will last three months. 


Lake Shore Drive Resurfacing Project


On Sunday, April 16, the Chicago Department of Transportation began resurfacing portions of Lake Shore Drive, between West LaSalle Drive and Lawrence. The work will include milling and resurfacing of the existing asphalt roadway pavement and repairs to the concrete deck of the Lake Shore Drive Viaduct over Montrose Drive.


The following segments of Lake Shore Drive will be resurfaced:


  • Northbound lanes between West Lawrence Avenue and West LaSalle Drive
  • Southbound lanes between West Lawrence Avenue and West Irving Park Road


All work will occur during the evening and overnight hours and off-rush hour times. Lanes will reopen to traffic during the daytime. 


This project is expected to be completed in July 2023. 



431 N Dearborn Façade Project


Crane construction began a façade project at 431 N Dearborn this week. Throughout the project, the sidewalks adjacent to the building on Dearborn and Hubbard will be closed. Pedestrians are directed to walk in projected pedestrian walkways in the curb lanes.


The project is expected to be completed in October 2023 (weather dependent).


225 W Randolph Renovation:


The Onni Group began renovating 225 W Randolph. Throughout the project, there will be pedestrian canopies at the following locations:


  • South side of Randolph, from Franklin to the first alley east thereof
  • East side of Franklin, from Randolph to the first alley south thereof


This project is expected to be completed July 2024.



151 N Michigan:


Power Construction installed a tower crane on Beaubien Court for the project at 151 N Michigan Avenue. While the crane is in place, Beaubien Court, from a point 23' north of Randolph Street, to a point 100' north thereof will be closed to vehicular traffic. The crane will be in-place for 8-10 weeks.


The following will be closed throughout the duration of the project:


  • Sidewalk on the north side of Randolph, from Beaubien Court to Michigan Avenue
  • Sidewalk on the east side of Michigan, from Randolph, to a point 100' north thereof
  • Beaubien Court, from Randolph to a point 100' north thereof


Pedestrians will be directed to use projected walkways that are placed in the curb lanes on Randolph and Michigan. The project is expected to be completed at the end of 2023.


Temporary Bus Stop Elimination


Until March 2024, the westbound bus stop at Grand and St. Clair will be temporarily removed.


  • Stop ID Number: 761
  • Route Stopping: #29 – State, #65 – Grand, #120 – Ogilvie/Streeterville Express, #121 – Union/Streeterville Express


Randolph Street Viaduct Repair


CDOT will be performing repairs at Randolph Street Viaduct (East bound lanes only) between Columbus Dr. and Field Blvd.

 

Scope of Work:

The project consists of performing the following repairs: Concrete deck repairs, street paving.


Construction Schedule:

7:00 am - 6:00pm Monday to Saturday, April 10th  - September 30th 2023.

No demolition or other excessive noise creating activity will begin until after 8:00am.

 

Traffic Impact during Construction:

 

  • The Randolph Street Viaduct east bound lanes will have one lane open to traffic at all times and one lane closed for construction at both the upper and intermediate levels between Columbus Dr. and Field Blvd. At least one sidewalk will remain open to pedestrian traffic.
  • All parking on east bound Randolph St. will be removed between Columbus Dr. and Field Blvd.
  • West bound lanes will be open at all times during construction with the exception of single night closures (Dates are TBD and updates will be provided).
  • Access to Millenium Parking Garage and Maggie Daley Park will be limited to entrances at the Columbus Dr./Randolph St. Intersection and Field Blvd./Randolph St. Intersection. Elevator/ADA access to the garage will be maintained.


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.


150 E Ontario Construction


W.E. O'Neil began construction of a 23-story building at 150 East Ontario Street. Work hours will be Monday-Friday, from 9am-5pm (8pm during caisson pours). Some weekend work will occur.  


Throughout the project, the following will be closed:


  • 150' of sidewalk in front of 150 East Ontario
  • 150' of curb lane in front of 150 East Ontario 


Pedestrians will be directed to the sidewalk on the south side of the street at Ontario/Michigan and Ontario/St. Clair. The entire project is expected to take 23 months to complete. 

 

Chase Tower Clark Street Tunnel Project


In mid-July, Berglund Construction began repairs on the Chase Tower Clark Street tunnel at 23 S. Clark Street. The project scope consists of repairing Chase’s below-grade tunnel structures that cross below Clark Street at 23 S. Clark St, and will require excavation of Clark Street in that area to access the tunnel structures to perform repairs.


There will be one lane of southbound traffic open at all times. Berglund will have flaggers and barricades in-place throughout the project. 


The project will last 26 months. Berglund would like to begin mid-June. Work hours will be Monday-Friday, from 8am-5pm.


535 N. St. Clair Street Project


Demolition of 535 N St. Clair is completed. LendLease has mobilized for construction and they have began pouring caissons. Throughout the project, there will be a protected pedestrian canopy on the north side of Grand, from St. Clair to a point 100' east thereof. The entire project is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2024.


Cassidy Tire Construction 


Construction of the 33-story mixed-use building is underway. Throughout construction, McHugh Constriction will occupy the curb lane on the west side of Canal along 344/350 N. Canal Street's property line. The construction company has leased the area north of the building from the railroad to use as a staging area. Additionally, they will use the parking lot south of the building as a staging area too.


As a reminder, this project is contributing to numerous public benefits. Click here for a list of public benefits, and stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates on this project and the implementation of these public benefits.  All work is expected to take 24 months to complete (weather dependent).


311 W Huron Project


In June, ARCO Murray began construction of a new building at 311 W. Huron Street. Work hours will be Monday-Friday, from 9am-5pm (8pm during caisson pours). Throughout the project, the following City right-of-way will be occupied:


  • Sidewalk/curb lane on the south side of Huron, from Franklin west to the end of 311 W Huron's property line - approximately 150'. The sidewalk will be used to store their concrete pump, dumpster, and hoist dock. Trucks will back into the site at this location too. Jersey barriers will be placed in the curb lane to create a protected pedestrian path.
  • 3' of the sidewalk on the west side of Franklin, from Huron to the first alley south thereof. This leaves 6' of clearance. They will need to push the fence out a few feet during excavation.
  • 150' of the east/west alley bounded by Huron, Franklin, Erie, and Orleans will be closed. The closure is from Franklin to a point 150' west thereof. 


The project is expected to be completed in September 2023 (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 in early 2023 (weather dependent).


LG Construction: 751 N. Hudson and 451 W Chicago 


LG Construction continues work on 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. 


Dearborn Street Bridge Project


CDOT began emergency work on the Dearborn Bridge in June 2022. They will be conducting the following work:


  • Replacing both sidewalks
  • Replacing all of the bridge gratings
  • Replacing the beam structures 


Due to supply chain issues, the project is expected to be completed in April 2023 (weather dependent). 


The bridge will be reduced to one lane of traffic/sidewalk at a time. Bike traffic will be detoured to Clark Street via the north side of Upper Wacker Drive.


Street Sweeping


During street sweeping season (April 1 to mid-November) the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation uses mechanical street sweepers to remove debris and litter from streets, weather permitting. Throughout the season, DSS deploys mechanical street sweepers at regularly scheduled times to clear debris from Chicago streets. Starting this week, dozens of street sweepers have begun clearing the debris and leaves that have accumulated during winter months on both residential and arterial streets. 


On weekdays, from 9am to 2pm, this Sweeper Tracker map will show real-time locations of city street sweepers. For more information, please review the 42nd Ward Map and street sweeping schedule. Residents can also call 311 to find the dates and locations of street sweeping in their area.


Please check for the bright orange signs announcing temporary parking restrictions. These signs are posted two days prior to scheduled street sweeping events. Some streets also have permanently posted signs that specify a once-per-week period when parking is prohibited for street sweeping.


Kennedy Expressway Bridge Rehabilitation


The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) began rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94), from the Edens Expressway (Interstate 94) junction to West Ohio Street


The project consists of rehabilitating 36 bridge structures and the Reversible Lane Access Control (REVLAC) 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.


This project will take place over three consecutive construction seasons and consist of three stages. The following will occur during stage one:


Stage I - Inbound Kennedy


To help minimize the impact to traffic the reversible express lanes will remain open in the inbound direction, while two mainline inbound lanes will be closed at a time. Motorists should expect lane shifts and overnight lane closures and various ramp closures. Later this summer, painting and installation of new LED lighting will begin on inbound Hubbard's Cave, between Ohio and Lake streets. Construction is anticipated to be completed later this fall, with all lanes and ramps reopening and the express lanes resuming normal operations.


Please click here to learn more about the Kennedy Expressway Bridge Rehabilitation, and stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates.