November 2, 2020
Alderman Reilly Reports
Don't Forget to Vote! Early Voting Ends TODAY! 
Today is the LAST day to Vote Early in the General Election! Alderman Reilly strongly encourages voters to cast their ballot early to avoid long lines and wait times on Election Day. 

Voters have until 7:00pm to cast their ballots at any early voting site in the City of Chicago. Below is a list of the hours and locations of early voting sites in or near the 42nd Ward. 

Loop Super Site (191 N. Clark St.)  

  • Today (Monday) - Until 7 pm   
  • Election Day - 6 am-7 pm   


Maggie Daley Park (337 E. Randolph St.) 

  • Today (Monday) - Until 7 pm  
  • Election Day - 6 am-7 pm  


Ogden Elementary School (24 W. Walton St.)  

  • (Today) Monday - Until 7 pm  


Any ballots that voters cast in Early Voting are final. After casting ballots in Early Voting, voters may not return to amend, change or undo a ballot for any reason. It is a felony to vote more than once -- or to attempt to vote more than once -- in the same election.  

Additionally, Alderman Reilly would like to remind voters who are Voting By Mail to return their ballots at any drop-off location in the City to ensure your ballot is received before Election Day. Voters submitting their Ballot Return Envelopes do not have to wait in the Early Voting line.  

There will be secured Drop Boxes at every Early Voting site for any Chicago Vote By Mail voter to submit the signed and sealed Ballot Return Envelope. Ballots can be dropped off at any of the locations found here and there will be a 24 hour drop box located at 69 W. Washington St. The 24 hour location will remain open through Election Day at 7:00pm. 

Voters should wear a facemask that covers the mouth and nose, whether visiting to use in-person Early Voting or to use a Secured Drop Box. Voters in line must practice social distancing with 6 feet (2 meters) of space between persons in line. Everyone is encouraged to use hand sanitizer before and after voting. Please click here for the CDC’s tips for voters heading to the polls.  

Every precinct in the 42nd Ward has been assigned a polling location, however, any 42nd Ward voters can cast their ballot at 191 North Clark Street and 337 East Randolph Street on Election Day, from 6:00am to 7:00pm. Please check chicagoelections.gov/info to see where your polling place is located. 

For more information, please visit the Chicago Board of Elections website.  
City of Chicago Agencies Announce Preparedness and Safety Plans Ahead of Election Day 
Several City public safety agencies announced their 10-day preparedness and safety plan for the upcoming Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and for all of next week. Over the past month, the City’s departments and agencies have been working in conjunction with the Chicago Board of Elections to deploy resources and supports at every polling station and neighborhood to ensure residents can safely participate in this year’s election and exercise their First Amendment rights.  

As part of the 10-day safety plan, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This is a citywide effort to monitor any activity and crowds and coordinate resource requests and responses with City departments, agencies, the Chicago Board of Elections as well as county, state and federal partners.  

Over the past several weeks, OEMC has held multiple preparedness workshops with the City’s public safety and infrastructure departments, businesses, agencies and partners. These workshops provided an overview of the City’s efforts and conducted various hazard scenarios, including severe weather, COVID-19 outbreaks and possible protests stemming from not knowing who the winner of the presidential election in the days following Election Day.  

To supplement on-the-ground public safety resources, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) has increased its patrol beyond its regular deployments. As part of this effort to further ensure the City can rapidly respond to all situations, CPD has cancelled days off Department-wide for Election Day, and for select citywide teams during the week of the election.  

While the Department is focused on crimefighting prevention efforts, officers will continue to ensure residents expressing their First Amendment rights are protected and given the public safety supports they need to stay safe. Additionally, the City will deploy more than 60 infrastructure assets that will be strategically positioned by OEMC to support and protect neighborhood commercial corridors and critical businesses in the event of potential public safety incidents.  

To ensure residents can safely vote in-person this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has been working closely with the Chicago Board of Elections to ensure all polling locations have a COVID-19 prevention plan. These public health plans provide every polling location with cleaning and disinfection protocols, traffic flow guidelines to ensure social distancing and required face-coverings for all employees.  

With expected rallies and large gathering demonstrations surrounding the election, the City has communicated heavily with Chicago’s business community to ensure they have the resources and guidance needed to be prepared for such activity. The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection encourages businesses to take the following steps:  

  • Sign-Up for ChiBiz Alerts: Text “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3  
  • Join Chicago’s Public and Private Partnership Initiative (CP3): Visit preparedchicago.com  
  • Stay Alert! Call 9-1-1 if you witness suspicious activity  
  • Remove any unsecured items from the public right of way and ensure your surveillance cameras are working and camera lenses are clean 
  • Forward any event/demonstration information to the 1st and 18th District Community Policing Office or Business Liaison Office 
  • 1st District - [email protected] or 312-745-4290 
  • 18th District - [email protected] or 312-742-5870 

This week, OEMC launched a Business Operation Center (BOC), a physical facility created for the private sector partners to exchange real-time information and provide situational awareness during public safety or public health issues. A first-of-its-kind effort, the BOC is designed to expand the communication and operational components by utilizing businesses and key subject-matter experts with the ability to contact security onsite and distribute accurate information.  

OEMC is also reminding residents that they can also receive emergency alerts for updates on street closures and public transportation by subscribing to Chicago’s text or email alert system at NotifyChicago.org or follow OEMC on Facebook and Twitter.