April, 29 2022
Alderman Reilly Reports
Crain’s Chicago Business A.D. Quig Interview
On Monday, April 25, Alderman Reilly interviewed with A.D. Quig from Crain’s Chicago Business. The interview covered many hot topics that affect Downtown Chicago. Please click here to listen to the interview.
Casino Survey Results
On April 8, 2022, Alderman Reilly launched a survey to gather public input about the Bally's Tribune Casino proposal. Over the past three weeks, nearly 1,200 downtown residents in the 42nd Ward have completed the survey. The results are in:
Alderman Reilly takes constituent feedback very seriously. After thoroughly reviewing survey results, along with comments from hundreds of emails and phone calls to our office, it is clear that 42nd Ward residents are opposed to a casino at Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street. 

Alderman Reilly will share detailed survey results and unedited commentary with the Lightfoot Administration and his colleagues on the recently formed Special Committee (individual contact information will not be shared). The Special Committee met for the first time on April 25th to hold a Subject Matter Hearing (no vote was taken); a recording of that can be viewed here. Alderman Reilly also recently discussed this proposal (and the casino process in general) on the A.D. Q&A podcast (23:28 mark), the Sun-Times, and Crain’s Chicago Business. Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates.
River North Cannabis
Community Meetings Scheduled
To operate an Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary, an Application for Special Use must be filed with the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The ZBA will hold a hearing to consider the Special Use application, notice of which will be provided at a later date.
 
In advance of this hearing, applicants for Adult Use Cannabis Dispensaries are required to hold a community meeting to explain their proposal and gather community feedback. The following community meetings have been scheduled. Each meeting is hosted by the proposed dispensary operator. No RSVP is necessary. Please attend if you'd like to learn more:
 
PTS Corp in partnership with Bio-Pharm, has proposed to open a dispensary at 605 North Clark Street:
  • When: Tuesday, May 10th at 6:00 PM (rescheduled from Wednesday, April 27th)
  • In-Person: Maggiano's Banquets, 111 W. Grand Ave
  • Via Zoom: Link to Meeting
  • Meeting ID: 882 0928 7994
  • Passcode: 392806
GRI Holdings, LLC has proposed to open a dispensary at 612 North Wells Street:
  • When: Monday May 23rd at 6:00 PM (rescheduled from Monday, May 2nd)
  • In-Person: Westin Hotel, 320 N. Dearborn
  • Via Zoom: Link to be provided prior to meeting

Alderman Reilly may choose to offer an opinion on the proposed Special Use to the ZBA, but the ZBA ultimately approves or denies Special Use applications based on the criteria in the Chicago Zoning Code. The ZBA is an independent, quasi-judicial body that will consider all public input and is not obligated to give special consideration to comments from the Alderman or Police Commander.
Alderman Reilly Hosts Community Shred Day for 42nd Ward Residents
Alderman Reilly is hosting a Community Shred Day on Saturday, May 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Ohio Place Dog Park located at 360 West Ohio Street.

Households are limited to two boxes and shredding materials will be accepted until the shred truck is full. Please remember to remove all paper clips, staples and other bindings.

A representative from Alderman Reilly’s Office will be present to address concerns or questions regarding city-related matters.

We look forward to seeing you at the Community Shred Day!
Election Judges Needed!
Alderman Reilly is looking for qualified applicants to serve as Election Judges in the 42nd Ward for the upcoming June 28, 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election, and the subsequent November 8, 2022 Gubernatorial General Election.

Election Judges are assigned to local polling places in the 42nd Ward and are responsible for ensuring polling places open and close on time, and that voting operations run smoothly.

Election judges earn $230 for their services, provided they complete a brief training session prior to Election Day.

To apply online to become a Judge of Election, in the 42nd Ward, with the Chicago Board of Elections Commissioners, visit their website by clicking here. A paper main-in application is also available for download here.

Should you have additional questions, please contact Robert at office@ward42chicago.com or 312-642-4242.
Street Sweeping Reminder
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) will resume their seasonal street sweeping schedule, which began April 1st, and lasts through mid-November or later, weather permitting. Throughout the season, DSS deploys mechanical street sweepers at regularly scheduled times to clear debris from Chicago streets. Starting today, dozens of street sweepers will begin to clear 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 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.
City of Chicago Camera Registration
The City of Chicago has launched a free and voluntary camera registration program open to anyone who lives or operates a business in Chicago. If you have a private security camera that captures the public way and you are interested in assisting in an investigation in the event of a crime in your neighborhood, you can register your camera with the Chicago Police Department.

By registering your camera, you are simply allowing the Chicago Police Department to contact you in the event of a crime in your area. The Chicago Police Department will not have direct access to your camera system and cannot access camera footage without your consent. There is no requirement to provide footage at any time. Please see the flyer below for more information.
City Clerk Senior Hours
The Office of the City Clerk is bringing back senior hours beginning Tuesday, May 3, 2022 and offering them every Tuesday through July 26, 2022. 

Senior hours are 8AM-9AM for individuals 65+ at the Archer and Gale satellite office locations. Please see the flyer below for more information.
42nd Ward Street Closures and Construction Notices
Helicopter Lift: 1 East Wacker Drive

Midwest Helicopter was hired to lift HVAC units onto the roof at 1 E Wacker on Saturday, April 30 from 9am to 11am. During the lift, vehicular and pedestrian access will be prohibited at the following locations:

  • State, from Lake to just north of the Chicago River
  • Wacker, from Wabash to Dearborn

They will have detour signs and CPD in-place throughout the lift.

Crane Lift 81 E Van Buren

On Saturday, April 30 from 9am to 4pm, LaGrange will be conducting a crane lift at 81 E. Van Buren. During the lift, the following will be closed:

  • Sidewalk on the south side of Van Buren, from Michigan Avenue to the first alley west thereof
  • Curb lane on the south side of Van Buren, from Michigan Avenue to the first alley west thereof
  • Both traffic lanes on Van Buren, from Michigan Avenue to the first alley west thereof

The curb lane on the north side of Van Buren be posted as a No Parking Tow Zone and turned into a westbound traffic lane.

They will have barricades and flaggers in-place throughout the lift.

Ohio Street Bridge Closure

On Monday, May 2 from 12am to 7am, CDOT will be conduct bridge repairs on the Ohio Street Bridge. During repairs, vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be prohibited.

Wells Street Bridge

On Saturday, April 30 at 1pm to Monday, May 2 at 2am, CDOT will be conduct center lock repairs and bridge testing on the Wells Street Bridge. During repairs, vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be prohibited.

Detour Southbound Traffic: Wells, Kinzie, LaSalle, Wacker, Wells.

AT&T Fiber Optic Installation

On Monday, May 2, AT&T will begin fiber optic installation at Rush and Bellevue. They plan to trench at the following locations:

  • Sidewalk on the north side of Bellevue, from Rush to the first alley east thereof
  • First alley east of Rush on Bellevue, from Bellevue to a point 50' north thereof

All work is expected to be completed within three weeks (weather dependent).

Ida B. Wells Repaving Project

Resurfacing of Ida B. Wells, from Congress Parkway to Columbus is set to begin on Monday, May 2. The work will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement and striping.

All work is expected to be completed by May 31.

ComEd Work: 710 N St Clair

Starting Monday, April 25, Meade Construction will be removing and replacing the ComEd Sidewalk Vault roof located outside of the buildings dock area.

They will break out the existing concrete roof and remove all of the debris. Once removed, Meade will install all necessary shoring, new rebar and pour a new structural roof and topping.

Throughout the project the sidewalk in front of 710 N Clair will be closed. Work is expected to take two weeks to complete (weather dependent).

Filmings

Chicago Fire

54 W Hubbard

On Monday, May 2, Chicago Fire will be filming inside 54 W Hubbard and on the sidewalk in front of the building. No special effects or loud noises associated with the filming. 

They are setting up the inside of 54 West Hubbard to look like Fire Department Headquarters. 

Parking will be prohibited at the following locations:

Friday, April 29 & Tuesday, May3, from 7am-5pm (set up and tear down days)
  • West Side of Dearborn St from Hubbard to 439 N Dearborn
  • North Side of Hubbard St from Dearborn to 54 W Hubbard St

Monday, May 2, from 10:30am to 8pm
  • Both Sides Of Dearborn From Hubbard To Grand Ave
  • Both Sides Of Illinois St From Dearborn To State St
  • Both Sides Of Hubbard From Dearborn To 70 W Hubbard St

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Will Higgins (Location Manager) 773- 525-2326.

Navy Pier

On Tuesday, May 3, Chicago Fire will be filming at Navy Pier. During the filming, parking will be prohibited at the following locations:

  • Both Sides Of Illinois St From Lake Shore Drive To Streeter Drive
  • North Side Of Grand Ave From Streeter Drive To Lake Shore Drive

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Michael Proffitt (On-site Coordinator) 773-938-3358.

Presidential Towers

On Wednesday, May 4, Chicago Fire will be filming at Presidential Towers and in front of the building. The scene involves some special effects. Parking will be prohibited at the following locations during the filming:

  • North Side Of Monroe St From Desplaines To Clinton
  • South Side Of Monroe From Jefferson To Clinton
  • East Side Of Desplaines From Monroe To Madison
  • South Side Of Madison From Jefferson To Desplaines
  • Both Sides Of Jefferson From Madison To Monroe

There will be a full closure of Jefferson, from Washington to Monroe on Wednesday, May 4, from 9am-4:30pm. 

There will be intermittent traffic closures on Madison, between Clinton and Desplaines from 9am-12pm.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Will Higgins (Location Manager) 773- 525-2326.

Dearborn Bridge Work

CDOT has scheduled emergency work on the Dearborn Bridge to begin in early June. They will be conducting the following work:

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

The project is expected to last 12 months (weather dependent). 

The bridge will be reduced to one lane of traffic/sidewalk at a time. Bike traffic will be detoured to Clark Street.

Lake Shore Drive Bridge Maintenance

CDOT will be performing bridge testing on the Lake Shore Drive Bridge during the following dates/times:

  • Monday, May 2 at 10pm to Tuesday, May 3 at 5am

While testing is being performed, Upper Lake Shore Drive, from Illinois to Randolph will be closed. Additionally, Lower Lake Shore Drive, from Grand to Lower Wacker Drive will be closed.

The bridge testing will involve raising and lowering the bridge on numerous occasions to test and calibrate the new equipment. Flashing lights and bells will be active to test the new safety gates and warning bells - during bridge movements.

Southbound traffic will be redirected from Lake Shore Drive to westbound Grand Avenue, to southbound Columbus Drive, to eastbound Lower Wacker Drive and back to Lake Shore Drive. Northbound traffic will be redirected from Lake Shore Drive onto the Randolph ramp to westbound Lower Wacker Drive, to northbound Columbus Drive, to eastbound Illinois Street and back to Lake Shore Drive. 

Crane Lift: 7 West Monroe Street

On Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 from 8am-8pm there will be a crane lift at 7 West Monroe Street. Throughout the lift, Monroe, from State to Dearborn will be closed to vehicular traffic. The crane will remain on-site during the overnight hours.

There will be barricades, detour signs, and traffic control on-site throughout the lift.

Gas Main Replacement - Michigan, Chestnut to Cedar

Peoples Gas continues it's gas main replacement on the west side of Michigan Avenue, from Chestnut to Cedar. Work hours may vary throughout the project, but are currently anticipated to be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

All openings will be covered and secured during non-work hours. This portion of the gas main replacement is expected to last 3-6 weeks.

Gas Main Replacement - Michigan, Monroe to Lake

On Monday, February 7, Peoples Gas began a gas main replacement on the west side of Michigan Avenue, from Monroe to Lake. Work hours will be 9am-4pm.

This project is expected to be completed in July 2022 (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 summer of 2022 (weather dependent).

LG Construction: 751 N. Hudson and 451 W Chicago 

LG Construction has recently 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). 

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 May 2022. 

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). 

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.