December 23, 2022

Alderman Reilly Reports

Happy Holidays from Alderman Reilly

Alderman Brendan Reilly wishes you and your family a happy holiday season! In observance of the holidays, Alderman Reilly's Office will be closing at 3:00pm on Friday, December 23 and will reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd at 9:00am.

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

Christmas in the Wards

This holiday season our office partnered with Christmas in the Wards to provide 16 students with holiday gifts, sponsored by Walmart. For 25 years, Christmas in the Wards has been providing holiday joy to underserved communities throughout Chicago. Please click here to learn more about Christmas in the Wards.

This year, recipients were identified among Innovations High School students, based on academic achievement and economic need. Gifts were selected and wrapped by 42nd Ward staff members. Each student received $250 worth of warm winter clothing, and new technology like tablets, and headphones. Alderman Reilly would like to thank Christmas in the Wards and Walmart for inviting our office to participate in this program.

Cold Weather Precautions

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Winter Storm Watch in effect until Saturday, December 24 at 6 a.m. Impacts include falling and blowing snow resulting in white out conditions with zero visibility at times, making travel extremely difficult, if not impossible. Power outages will also be possible as a result of strong damaging wind gusts up to 55 mph.

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) issues several alerts and notifications to keep people up to date on weather conditions and emergencies. When certain thresholds set by the National Weather Service are reached OEMC will alert the public, such as:

Winter Storm Watch: Chance for high-end winter impacts are increasing and possible. Issued within 36-48 hours in advance of conditions.
Winter Weather Advisory: Potentially dangerous winter weather is expected within the next 12-36 hours; Travel difficulties expected.
Winter Storm Warning: Dangerous winter weather is expected in the next 12-36 hours or is occurring; Travel problems are expected.
Blizzard Warning: Severe winter weather is expected in the next 12-36 hours or is occurring – including white out conditions. Do not travel.
Snow Squall Warning: Rapid onset, brief, intense bursts of snow and strong winds with significant threat to travelers. Delay travel.

Snow Command

The Department of Streets & Sanitation is prepared with 425,000 tons of salt stationed at salt piles throughout the city.
Click here for the Chicago Snow Plow Tracker to review real-time road conditions.
The City’s winter overnight parking ban is in effect from December 1, 2022 through April 1, 2023, to ensure crews can quickly salt and plow the streets during a winter storm. Please check the posted street signs for parking restrictions.
Reminder to all home, business, and property owners to clear snow from all sidewalks adjacent to their property, including any crosswalk ramps. Click here for shoveling guidelines.

Warming Centers

The Department of Family & Support Services activates warming areas at the six community service centers when temps are at or below 32 degrees.

The warming areas are open Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm
On evenings, weekends or holidays, city-operated facilities including libraries and park facilities might also serve as warming areas, if needed.
Residents must wear a face covering while in the warming areas.
Those seeking a warm place to go after hours can also call 3-1-1 to be connected with available services. Individuals requiring emergency overnight shelter should also call 3-1-1, visit 311.Chicago.gov or download the CHI311 app to ensure residents are aware of the City's designated warming areas. Residents are also encouraged to check on relatives, neighbors and friends during a winter weather emergency.
A list of community service center locations is available along with information and multilingual fliers containing warming center information in English, Spanish and Polish also are posted on DFSS's website at Chicago.gov/FSS.

Cold-Weather Tips

Space heaters are not recommended; however, if used, be sure they are UL certified and at least 3 feet from anything that can ignite. Click here for safety tips for portable heaters.
To prevent frozen pipes, make sure that warm air is circulating throughout the home and keep a trickle of water running. Click here for more tips to avoid frozen pipes.
Help your pets remain happy and healthy during the colder months by following these cold weather pet care tips.
Motorists should take extra precautions to winterize vehicles and have necessary supplies on-the-go. Keep in mind, disabled vehicles or distracted driving can cause accidents, impact traffic and others or require emergency services.
During periods of extreme winter weather, the CTA takes increased efforts to keep service operating as close to schedule as possible for our customers, and to do so safely. Click here for information about CTA preparedness.
Residents should know the signs and care of frostbite and hypothermia. For Winter preparation information visit, Chicago.gov/OEMC for details and links to other local, state and federal resources.

CAPS Meetings

18th District: (312-742-5778 / [email protected])
There are no remaining CAPS meetings scheduled for the month of December.
1st District: (312-745-4381 / [email protected])
There are no remaining CAPS meetings scheduled for the month of December.
12th District: (312-746-8306 / [email protected])
There are no remaining CAPS meetings scheduled for the month of December.

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Grand Avenue Bridge Project

The Grand Avenue Bridge project will be completed at the beginning of 2023.

151 N Michigan:

Power Construction has began demolition of Millennium Park Plaza located at 151 N Michigan Avenue. During the demolition, the following will be closed:

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. Demolition is expected to be completed in early February.

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 restarted viaduct repairs on Randolph, between Columbus and Field. Work hours are Monday-Friday, from 8am-8pm.

Throughout the project, at least one lane of eastbound traffic will be open. Westbound lanes will not be disrupted.

The project is expedited to be completed mid-December (weather dependent).

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.