September 19, 2025

Alderman Reilly Reports

Chicago River Swim Set for September 21

On Sunday, September 21, 2025, 500 qualified athletes will compete in an open-water swim through the Chicago River. Swimmers will start at the Dearborn Street Bridge, head east to State Street, then west to Lake Street, and finish near the Clark Street Bridge.

The morning begins with check-in at 5:15 am, followed by opening ceremonies at 6:30 am. The 2-mile swim starts at 7:00 am, the 1-mile swim at 7:55 am, and all swimmers are expected to finish by 9:10 am. An awards ceremony starts at 9:30 am, while the family-friendly Finish Festival runs 7:30–10:30 am along the Riverwalk between Lake and Clark Streets, where vendors will serve refreshments.

The event supports ALS research and youth swim education programs, with extensive water-quality monitoring and safety measures in place. For more information, visit ChicagoRiverSwim.org.

Development Proposal: 669 North Michigan Ave

A 56-story mixed-use tower is proposed for the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Erie Street. Plans call for 498 residential units and 26,531 square feet of retail located on the ground and second floors. The project includes 199 off-street parking spaces with garage access through the existing curb cut on Erie Street.

Service functions will be reached from the alley on the east side of the site. A majority of the building's ground floor east elevation would be set back five feet from the property line, effectively widening the alley from 14 feet to 19 feet wide, improving circulation for delivery trucks and neighboring properties. Three enclosed loading berths, a dedicated trash compactor berth, and 200 bicycle parking spaces are included.

The proposal retains the mature street trees along Michigan Avenue and incorporates additional landscaping along Erie Street to enhance the pedestrian experience. The building is designed to meet LEED sustainability standards and to support walking, biking, and transit use. Click on the following links to review project details and traffic study.

This project represents continued private investment along the Magnificent Mile and supports efforts to keep Michigan Avenue an active and attractive corridor for residents, businesses, and visitors.

The proposal will be reviewed at an upcoming Chicago Plan Commission meeting and requires subsequent City Council approval. As part of Alderman Reilly’s transparent community review process, your comments and observations are welcome. Please click here to provide your feedback on 42nd Ward developments.

Ohio Place Dog Park Closing September 29

for Re-Seeding

Alderman Reilly has authorized a portion of his Aldermanic Menu Funding for the re-seeding of Ohio Place Dog Park. Starting Monday, September 29, the Ohio Place Dog Park will begin a four-week re-seeding process. The Park will be temporarily closed to allow the new grass to grow undisturbed.

The new clover grass seed mix that will be planted will naturally fertilize the soil. This mix grows more effectively in shaded areas than other grasses–making it the best choice for Ohio Place Dog Park.

Due to the high costs of the project, this will be the last time that Aldermanic Menu Funding will be allocated for re-seeding at this park. We request that you please keep your dogs off the grass during the four-week growing period so all residents can enjoy new grass once the park has reopened.

Closure signs will be placed on the park’s gates while the new grass grows. We encourage all residents to use Larrabee Street Dog Park during the closure.

Alderman Reilly's Efforts to Protect Residents and Pets from Stray Voltage

The increase in incidents of pets being shocked by stray voltage has deeply concerned Alderman Reilly. Electrocution by stray voltage is rare, but it can be dangerous for residents and, especially, pets.

Immediately after the incidents last Winter, Alderman Reilly introduced an ordinance (O2025-0016741) that requires contractors working on the public way to report electrical hazard concerns to the Office of Emergency Management (OEMC). The ordinance also requires that property managers notified of electrical hazards notify their residents as soon as possible, and no later than 12 hours.

Recently, Alderman Reilly sent a letter to CDOT requesting information on how their engineers could prevent future cases. That letter can be found here. In response to Alderman Reilly's concerns, CDOT has implemented several new practices to mitigate stray voltage. CDOT has begun installing insulators on manholes and requiring contractors to test for stray voltage when working on streetlights or traffic circuits near the public way.

CAPS Meetings

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

There are no scheduled beat meetings for this district for the remainder of the month.

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

There are no scheduled beat meetings for this district for the remainder of the month.

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

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Filming:

Chicago PD

Today, September 19 and tomorrow, September 20, Chicago PD will be filming scenes in the Loop.

During filming, parking will be prohibited during the following times at the locations listed:

Friday, September 19 (all day) through Saturday, September 20 at 10pm
Both sides of LaSalle from Wacker to Lake
West side of Clark from Wacker to Lake
Both sides of Lake from Clark to Wells
East side of Franklin from Randolph to Wacker

Please note: On Saturday, September 20, during filming there will be a simulated emergency vehicle response under the supervision of the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Fire Department.

If you have any questions, please contact any of the following: Patrick Muldoon (location manager) at 872-272-6636, Kyle Witvoet (on-site coordinator) at 630-747-1246, Kurt Close (on-site coordinator) at 224-430-2978, or the Chicago Film Office at 312-744-6415.

Centennial Fountain & McClurg Court

On Thursday, September 25 and Friday, September 26, Chicago Med will be filming scenes near Centennial Fountain. During the following times, parking will be prohibited at the following locations:

Thursday, September 25, 5am - Friday, September 26, 2pm
Both sides of McClurg Ct from North Water to River Dr
Both sides of River Dr from McClurg to New St
Both sides of North Water St from New to McClurg Ct

Thursday, September 25,5am - Thursday, September 25, 11:59pm
Both sides of North Water St from New to Columbus Dr
East side of McClurg Ct from North Water to Illinois St

If you have any questions, concerns, or special needs, please contact Location Manager Adam Boor (312-469-0061) or On-Site Coordinator Dustin Schoenfeld (224-565-5427).

Centennial Fountain Outage

Please be advised the MWRD will implement a temporary outage of the Centennial Fountain on Tuesday, 9/23. The fountain is expected to return to service the same day, but the outage could possibly extend into Wednesday.

Sidewalk Closure at 180 W Adams

On Saturday, September 20, a telehandler will be onsite at 180 W Adams to work on the facade of the building. The power equipment will be onsite from 8am to 4pm. During the work, the north sidewalk on Adams from Wells to 172 W Adams will be closed to pedestrian traffic. A partial lane closure of the westbound lanes on Adams will also be in effect. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic. Pedestrians will be able to use the sidewalk on the south side of Adams.

Lake St Bascule Bridge Rehabilitation Update

As reported in a recent Reilly Report, CDOT is rehabilitating the historic Lake St Bascule Bridge. The following update has been provided by CDOT contractors:

The north sidewalk across the bridge and the northeast stairwell leading to 444 Riverpoint will be closed 9/22
The south sidewalk and the north-south crosswalk on Lake St at the east and west bridge limits are to remain open
Weekday daytime single lane closure (northernmost westbound lane)
Road and sidewalk closures for site survey measurements from 10pm-5am on October 1 and 2
Full road and sidewalk closures scheduled to start October 6 after rush hour

CDOT is coordinating with Aldermen Reilly and Conway to provide a virtual project update meeting on September 24. To register for that meeting, click here.

Halsted St / Chicago Ave River Bridge Construction Update

The first month of the Halsted St / Chicago Ave project is complete. Crews have removed existing street lighting, traffic signals, signage, and bus shelters. Viaduct removal is underway along the north leg of Halsted and the east end of Chicago Ave.

Demolition of the Chicago Ave bridge will continue over the next month. In areas where demolition is complete, crews will begin constructing new bridge piers. Crews will implement measures to minimize disruptions as much as possible, but noise and dust are inherent to the bridge demolition process.

Full closure of the Chicago Ave Bridge will start on September 29. The current detour map can be found here. The full project is expected to be completed by the end of the year 2026.

Erie St Closure Near Northwestern Memorial Hospital

From September 19 at 6am through September 21 at 4pm, roughly a half block of the north side of Erie St between St Clair and Fairbanks will be closed. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be rerouted. The driveway to the health care center on Erie will still be open, but guests will need to enter on Huron St. Click here for the traffic plan.

Jackson Blvd Bridge Closure Starting September 23

From Tuesday, September 23 through Friday, September 26 the Jackson Blvd Bridge will be closed from midnight to 5am daily. During the closures, CDOT contractors will be conducting bridge trials. During this work, Jackson Blvd will be closed from Wacker to Canal. On 9/26 at 5am, the bridge will reopen and operate as normal.

State / Lake CTA Station Upgrade

CDOT and CTA continue work to transform the 108-year-old CTA train station at State & Lake. The work will affect the CTA bus routes listed here. The north sidewalk across the bridge will close 9/15. One westbound lane on Lake St will close on 9/15, as well. In late September, early morning site survey will begin on the roadway and sidewalk, which will require the bridge to be lifted from 10pm-5am each day. The dates for these lifts are not yet set--stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates.

The CTA train station will remain open, and access to surrounding businesses will be maintained throughout construction. The new station is expected to be finished in 2029.

830 N Michigan Façade Work

Contractors are completing work on the façade at 830 N Michigan Ave. During work, a temporary sidewalk closure will be in place until approximately October 31. The façade will be fully enclosed with a temporary wall, allowing a portion of the sidewalk in front of 830 N Michigan to remain open to pedestrians.

Street Resurfacing - Wabash Ave from Wacker Dr to Balbo Dr

CDOT continues work on Wabash Avenue from Wacker Drive to East Balbo Drive. The work is a part of the CDOT'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) continues to perform work on the outbound lanes of the Ohio Street feeder ramp. Only two lanes will be closed at a time. IDOT is not required to adhere to the construction schedule outlined by the Chicago municipal code. The project is estimated to be in progress until late 2025.

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

CDOT continues 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 Construction Update

Contractors are now in the process of installing the structural foundations, and superstructure will be installed starting in early September. Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates.