In observance of Memorial Day, Alderman Reilly’s Office will be closed on Monday, May 30th.

Additionally, City Hall, City of Chicago governmental offices and Chicago Public Libraries will be closed in honor of  the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military and to comply with the City of Chicago mandatory holiday schedule.



If you have a need for city services, please call 3-1-1 for non-emergency requests, or dial 9-1-1 if you require immediate assistance.

Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of summer in Chicago. With many 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 and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) present Chicago's annual Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade this Saturday, May 28th. 

The Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM at Daley Plaza (Dearborn and Washington Streets). During the Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade, the City of Chicago honors fallen heroes and Gold Star family members who have lost a loved one in the United States Armed Forces to combat operations or while on active duty. The Parade will then step off at 12:00 PM at State and Lake and proceed south on State Street to Van Buren Street. During the parade, vehicular access will be prohibited on the following streets:

• State Street, from Wacker Drive to Van Buren Street
• Randolph Street, from Dearborn Street to Wabash Avenue
• Washington Street, from Dearborn Street to Wabash Avenue
• Madison Street, from Dearborn Street to Wabash Avenue
• Monroe Street, from Dearborn Street to Wabash Avenue
• Adams Street, from Dearborn Street to Wabash Avenue
• Jackson Street, from Dearborn Street to Wabash Avenue
• Van Buren Street, from Dearborn Street to Wabash Avenue

The City of Chicago will be the home to the all-new Sueños Chicago music festival from 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM daily in Grant Park and Coldplay concert at Soldier Field at 7:00 PM on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29.

Additionally, Navy Pier Fireworks will return this weekend, at 10:00 PM on Saturday, May 28th. Fireworks at Navy Pier return at 9:00 PM every Wednesday and 10:00 PM every Saturday, through Labor Day. Navy Pier’s signature displays are synchronized to dramatic and popular music, and unique soundtracks for special occasions.  

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 its 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. Please click here for further information.

Alderman Reilly introduced a new ordinance to curb dangerous drag racing and drifting at the City Council meeting held on Wednesday, May 25. This ordinance allows CPD to impound vehicles used in violation of the City’s drifting and drag racing prohibitions, even if a police officer is not present at the time of the offense, pursuant to a similar process that allows CPD to impound fleeing vehicles. 

Under the ordinance, if a police officer is not present at the time of the offense, but the violation is confirmed by a POD camera, a vehicle may be impounded if the following takes place:

• Mail a notice of intent to impound to the owner of the vehicle, which must include a statement of probable cause; the police report for the incident in question; a copy of the applicable section of the Code; the date, time, and location of the violation; a description of the vehicle at issue, including the make, model, color, and license plate; and notice of the owner’s right to contest the eligibility for impoundment. 
• After receiving a notice, an owner may contest the eligibility for impoundment before the Department of Administrative Hearings.  
• In order to successfully challenge eligibility for impoundment, the owner must prove: that the vehicle was not operated in the City at the date and time of the alleged violation; that the vehicle was stolen at the time of the alleged violation; or that the license information for the vehicle does not match the information in the required notice. 
• If an owner fails to timely and successfully contest eligibility for impoundment, the vehicle is eligible for impoundment if found on the public way within the following 12 months, unless the owner pays the applicable fine (between $5,000 and $10,000) plus a $2,000 administrative penalty.

In response to a recent incident of drifting on Lower Lower Columbus at South Water, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will park infrastructure vehicles in this intersection on the weekends, during the overnight hours. These infrastructure vehicles will be strategically placed to prevent drifting at this location. 

Additionally, Alderman Reilly asked CDOT to conduct traffic calming studies at various locations in the Lakeshore East neighborhood to determine if speed humps, bump outs, or speed cameras are needed to deter dangerous drag racing and drifting. Please click here to review the Alderman’s traffic study request. 

Throughout his tenure as 42nd Ward Alderman, Alderman Reilly has been committed to curbing dangerous drag racing and drifting and motorcycle noise. Please click here to read about the Alderman’s previous efforts to deter this activity. 

Stay tuned to Reilly Report for more information regarding Alderman Reilly’s efforts to curb drag racing and drifting.

On Wednesday, May 25th, the City Council voted to approve the Bally’s Tribune casino proposal. Alderman Reilly and 6 of his colleagues voted “no”. Click here to watch a recording of the City Council meeting (casino discussion begins at 2:44:17, and Alderman Reilly speaks at 3:08:02). Unfortunately, despite Alderman Reilly's persuasive efforts during Committee meetings, and in the media, the matter passed at City Council with a majority voting in favor.

The next step will be for the matter to be considered by the Chicago Plan Commission, (CPC) to review the proposed amendment to the Planned Development. CPC will allow for additional public comment. After CPC, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) will consider the application and there will be another opportunity for the public to weigh in on the issuance of the casino license. Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for more information regarding public engagement opportunities with the IGB.

Recently, two companies hosted public community meetings to discuss their proposals to open Adult Use Cannabis Dispensaries in the 42nd Ward. These meetings were held as a requirement of their Special Use applications, filed with the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). A member of Alderman Reilly’s staff was present and closely monitoring the questions at each of these meetings. If you were unable to attend these meetings, click the links below to learn more:

Applicant: PTS/Bio-Pharm

Proposed dispensary location: 605 North Clark Street

Meeting held on May 10th

Click here to learn more 

Applicant: GRI Holdings, LLC

Proposed dispensary location: 612 North Wells Street

Meeting held on May 23rd

Click here to learn more

The ZBA will consider this Special Use application at an upcoming public hearing. The ZBA is a quasi-judicial body made up of Mayoral appointees. They are solely responsible for approval or denial of Special Use licenses and are not obligated to give special consideration to comments from Aldermen or Police Commanders. However, the hearing will allow time for public comment. The State of Illinois controls the licensure process for cannabis businesses. Local Aldermen do not have the authority to approve or deny a dispensary license or a Special Use permit. 

Information on how to access the Live Stream and how to submit public comments can be reviewed on ZBA’s website here. Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for updates on when the public hearing will be scheduled to review these proposals (these items will not be heard by ZBA in June).

This week, the City Council approved an ordinance authorizing a redistricting map for the City’s 50 wards. Based on 2020 Census Data, the 42nd Ward enjoyed dramatic growth in population - adding more than 30,000 more people. That population increase accounted for 58% of the City of Chicago’s entire population growth over the past decade. As a result, Alderman Reilly was required, by law, to reduce the population of the ward by nearly 30,000 people.

Alderman Reilly would prefer to continue representing all of the neighborhoods currently in the 42nd Ward - but given the need to reduce population - that simply could not happen.

Click here to view an interactive map of the new ward boundaries across the City.

Early voting for the June 28th primaries will begin May 31st at the Loop supersite, 191 N Clark, on May 26th. Any Chicago resident can vote at the supersite. The site will be open through Election Day for the following hours:

• Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Election Day (June 28): 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

There will be extended weekday hours, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., from June 20 to June 24. The Supersite will be closed Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day.

To check your voter registration please click here. On-site voter registration will be available.

CDOT has scheduled emergency work on the Dearborn Bridge to begin June 6 (weather dependent). 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.

Crane Lift: 50 E. Walton

Kinser Crane will conduct a crane lift at 50 E. Walton on Thursday, June 2, from 8am to 5pm. During the lift, the following will be closed:

• 75' of sidewalk in front of 50 E Walton
• 75' of curb lane in front of 50 E Walton
• 75' of traffic lane in front of 50 E Walton

One lane of westbound traffic will be open at all times. Kinser will have barricades, flaggers, and pedestrian detour signs in-place throughout the lift.

Public Assembly: 455 N. Cityfront Plaza

On Friday, June 3, from 1pm-4pm, there will be a protest at 455 N. Cityfront Plaza. 

Helicopter Lift : 111 N Canal

Midwest Helicopter is conducting a helicopter lift at 111 N Canal on Saturday, June 4, from 9am-11am.

During the lift, Washington, from Canal to Wacker will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. 

There will be police officers and barricades in-place at all times.

Crane Lift: 350 N. LaSalle Street

Stevenson Crane was hired to lift cell equipment onto the roof of 350 N LaSalle Street on Monday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 7 (8am-4pm). The crane will be removed each day. 

During the lift, the following will be closed:

• Sidewalk on the south side of Kinzie, from LaSalle to a point 150' west thereof
• Curb lane on the south side of Kinzie, form LaSalle to a point 150' west thereof
• Two traffic lanes on Kinzie, from LaSalle to a point 150' wes there of
• Bike lane on the south side of Kinzie, from LaSalle to a point 150' west thereof

One lane of traffic will be open at all times. There will be flaggers at LaSalle/Kinzie and on Kinzie west of the lift to assist with two-way traffic and bikers

Cassidy Tire Demolition

On Monday, May 9, McHugh Construction began demolition of Cassidy Tire located at 344/350 N. Canal Street. McHugh's contractor (Atlas) will demo the building from the back (south side) to the front (north side). The demolition is expected to last 2 months. 

Immediately after the demolition is completed, construction of the 33-story mixed-use building will begin. During demolition and 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 numerous public benefits. Click here for a list of public benefits, and stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates on this project and implementation of these public benefits.  

All work is expected to take 24 months to complete (weather dependent).

311 W Huron Project

At the beginning of June 2022, ARCO Murray will begin 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). 

Crane Lift: 320 E Superior

Northwestern University will be conducting crane lifts at 320 E Superior on the following dates:

• Friday, June 10 to Saturday, July 23
• Monday, August 22 to Tuesday, September 27 

During the crane lifts, vehicular traffic on Superior, from Fairbanks to 340 East Superior will be prohibited. Additionally, the sidewalk on the north side of Superior, from Fairbanks to 340 East Superior will be closed. 

Adams Street Bridge

IDOT continues their work on the Adams Street Bridge over I90/94. On Sunday, May 1, IDOT began installed support beams for the Bridge during the overnight hours. This work will continue for 2 more weeks. 

Randolph Street Viaduct Repair

CDOT began viaduct repairs on Randolph, from Columbus to Field on Monday, May 9. Work hours are Monday-Friday, from 8am-5pm. 

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-July (weather dependent). 

Peoples Gas Main Installation Project: Bellevue, from Lake Shore Drive to Rush

Beginning at the end of May 2022, Peoples Gas will install a 900' gas main on the south side of Bellevue Place, from Inner Lake Shore Drive to Rush Street.

The main will be installed in sections of 150'. Once the gas main is installed, service lines will be connected from the new main to each building on the north side of the street.

This will require trenching from the south to north side of the street. All work is expected to be completed by late July (weather dependent). Curb-to-curb restoration will occur in August. 

Peoples Gas Rush & Bellevue

On Monday, May 16, Peoples Gas will begin installing a new gas main at Rush and Bellevue. Parking will be prohibited on the north side of Bellevue, from Rush to the first alley east thereof during the work. 

This project will last 3 weeks. 

Ida B. Wells Repaving Project

Resurfacing of Ida B. Wells, from Congress Parkway to Columbus began 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.

Filmings

Odd Machine

Levinson Locations will be filming a commercial at 610 S Michigan on Wednesday, June 1. During the filming, parking will be prohibited at the following location:

• Both sides of E Harrison St from S Wabash Ave to S Michigan Ave 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Carly Katz (location manager) at (847) 651-9182. 

Photo Shoot

There will be an architecture photo shot at 445 N Franklin on Thursday, June 2, from 11:30am to 9:00pm. During the photo shoot, parking will be prohibited at the following locations:

• Both side of Franklin, from 435 N Franklin to 445 N Franklin
• South side of Illinois, from Franklin to 209 W Illinois 

Twitch Films

Northwestern Hospital will be filming a commercial at their Streeterville campus on Saturday, June 4, from 4am-11pm. During the filming, parking will be prohibited at the following locations:

• South side of Superior, from Fairbanks to LSD
• North side of Superior, from Fairbanks to LSD
• North side of Erie, from Fairbanks to McClurg

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Daniel March (location manager) at 312-539-6841.

Millennium Park Music Festivals 

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the return of the following free summer music festivals in Millennium Park:

• Chicago Gospel Music Festival (June 4 from 3–9pm)
• Chicago Blues Festival (June 9 – 12
• Millennium Park Summer Music Series (June 20 – August 18)
• Chicago Jazz Festival (citywide and in Millennium Park including Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Thursday – Sunday, September 1–4
• Chicago House Music Festival and Conference (Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park): Friday, September 16 T
• World Music Festival Chicago (citywide): Friday, September 30 – Sunday, October 2

Crane Lift: 7 West Monroe Street

On Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4 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 Oak Street/Walton Street, between Michigan Avenue and Rush Street. 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 be completed at the beginning of July.

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 August 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.