September 17, 2021
Alderman Reilly Reports
Mexican Independence Day
Unsanctioned “Celebrations”

Alderman Reilly is frustrated with the large number of cars and caravans that have visited the Downtown neighborhoods the past seven days. In celebration of Mexican Independence Day, hundreds of cars swarmed Downtown, set off illegal fireworks, and caused a disturbance with unacceptable levels of traffic and noise occurring until approximately 2:00 AM.
 
In the past, the City of Chicago approved a planned parade to allow for this celebration to take place in other neighborhoods of the City. In 2019, the Mayor’s Administration decided to deny future permit applications for such events. Since then, unsanctioned celebrations have been held throughout the City, especially Downtown. Please be informed that these events were not permitted or approved by Alderman Reilly or the City of Chicago.
 
Unfortunately, these unsanctioned celebrations may continue this weekend. The Chicago Police Department is prepared to divert traffic again in order to minimize the negative impact on businesses and residents, and may enact street closures to divert the caravan into alternate routes.
 
Alderman Reilly has expressed his frustration to Mayor Lightfoot and Superintendent Brown in a letter, and requested that future planned parades be permitted to allow for proper allocation of City resources and funding.

Lakeshore East Special Assessment
Refinancing Ordinance 

Alderman Reilly is pleased to announce that on Tuesday, September 14 he secured City Council approval for his Lakeshore East Special Assessment Refinancing Ordinance. Please click here to review the ordinance.
 
The Lakeshore East Neighborhood is a master-planned development comprising approximately 26 acres, including two public parks. This neighborhood is bounded by East Wacker Drive, North Lake Shore Drive, East Randolph Street, and North Columbus Drive.  


In 2002, the City issued Special Assessment Improvement Bonds to fund the construction of basic public infrastructure, including a public park, water mains, streets, and landscaping in the Lakeshore East area. Prior to the issuance of the Bonds, there was not sufficient public infrastructure to support new development in the area..

The Bonds are repaid through a Special Assessment that is billed annually to each resident in the neighborhood and is based upon the assessed value of each property. This Special Assessment is the only one of its kind in the City of Chicago, and it acts as an additional tax on Lakeshore East residents.

Alderman Reilly’s ordinance enables the City’s Chief Financial Officer to refinance these Bonds and capitalize on the low interest rates. The refinancing is projected to save each unit owner $2,948 in assessments over the next 11 years (an average of $268 per unit per year for 11 years).

Alderman Reilly is committed to looking for ways to save taxpayer dollars and prevent tax increases. The City Council is headed into Budget Season. Each September, October, and November, the Alderman is focused on reviewing the Mayor's Budget Proposal and recommending changes - such as cutting 1,000 middle-management (non-union) positions that typically pay six figures & manage only a few employees each.

Alderman Reilly combs through funding requests from each City Department and holds their feet to the fire at their respective Budget Hearing.
 
Since the Alderman was elected in 2007, he has consistently fought to hold the line on taxes - voting to reject property tax increases proposed by Mayors Daley, Emanuel, and Lightfoot. That said, he is committed to working cooperatively with the Mayor to craft a budget proposal with an eye toward building a smaller, less costly and more efficient city government.

Thank you for a Successful Blood Drive 

Alderman Reilly would like to thank everyone who attended the Blood Drive he organized on Saturday, September 11.

Volunteers donated 12 pints of blood to Versiti Blood Center of Illinois. Because one pint of blood can be used to save up to three lives, the donations collected last Saturday can positively impact the health of 36 people!
 
Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for details regarding future Blood Drive and other community events.

Alderman Reilly to Host Covid-19 and Flu Vaccination Clinic October 13

Alderman Reilly is hosting a Covid-19 and Flu Vaccination Clinic on Wednesday, October 13, from 10am-2pm. The event will be held at the Chicago Temple located at 77 West Washington Street.
 
Walk-ins are welcome and encouraged. Additionally, our office will provide a link to schedule an appointment in a future Reilly Reports.
 
We look forward to seeing you at the Vaccination Clinic. 
Important Announcements and Updates
Chicago In Tune Festival
August 19 - September 19
Chicago In Tune (August 19 – September 19) is a citywide festival celebrating music in the key of Chicago — during the 2021 Year of Chicago Music. This month of music will bring iconic neighborhood venues, presenting organizations and musicians from across the city together to celebrate all music genres and forms — with both large and small, free and ticketed events at clubs, concert halls and beyond.

You’ll find the most comprehensive listing of shows at Do312.com/ChicagoInTune — and event highlights in a festival guide inserted in the August 19 edition of the Chicago Reader.
Alerts and Community Notices
Free Museum Days this Summer
The 42nd Ward is home to (and near) several world-class museums! Check out the following museums free admission days below.

Museum of Contemporary Art
  • While suggested fees are posted, the MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy—no visitors are turned away.

Museum of Science and Industry
  • September 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
2021 Chicago City Markets

Chicago City Markets sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products and rare finds – at Chicago’s longest running farmers market on Daley Plaza, the historic Maxwell Street Market and a dozen more community markets in neighborhoods across Chicago.

These markets are typically open from May to October. Below is more information about participating markets in or near the 42nd Ward:
Tuesdays
220 E. Chicago Ave.
June 1 - October 26, 7am - 2pm

Wednesdays
1817 N. Clark St.
May 5–October 27, 7am–1pm

Thursdays
50 W. Washington St.
May 27–September 30, 7am–2pm

1936 S. Michigan Ave.
June 17–September 30, 4–8 pm
Saturdays
1817 N. Clark St.
May 1–October 30, 7am–1pm

100 W. Division St.
May 15–October 30, 7am–12pm

115 S. Sangamon St.
June 5–October 30, 8am–1pm
42nd Ward Street Closures and Construction Notices

Jane Byrne Interchange Update

  • Ramp Closing: Madison Street entrance ramp to southbound I-90/94 to close Saturday, September 18th
  • Exit Relocation: Southbound I-90/94 exit to westbound I-290, Taylor Street, and Ida B. Wells relocating
  • Click here for more details

Crane Lift at 1000 North Lake Shore Drive

  • On Friday September 24th from 8 AM - 4 PM
  • To hoist steel onto the building's roof
  • During the lift, the following will be closed:
  • Sidewalk on the northside of Oak Street, from Michigan to a point 300' west thereof
  • Curb lane on the northside of Oak Street, from Michigan to a point 300' west thereof
  • Westbound traffic lane from Michigan to a point 300' west thereof
  • Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times using flaggers.

Filming in the Ward This Week

Chicago PD
  • Robbery scene on Oak and Bellevue on Tuesday, September 21nd. Parking will be prohibited at the following locations:
  • Bellevue, from Rush to the first alley east thereof
  • Both sides of Oak from Rush to 60 E. Oak
  • East side of Rush from Bellevue to Oak
  • East side of State from Bellevue to Delaware
  • South side of Delaware from 113 E. Delaware to Michigan
  • There will be intermittent traffic control on Bellevue, from State to the first alley east thereof from 9:00am to 1:00pm, and on Oak Street, from Rush to 60 East Oak, from 12pm to 4pm.
  • Robbery scene at Grand and Rush between Wednesday, September 22nd and Friday, September 24th. Parking will be prohibited at the following locations:
  • Both sides of Illinois from Wabash to Michigan (Wednesday at 7am to Friday at 3am)
  • Both sides of Rush from Ohio to Kinzie  (Wednesday at 7am to Friday at 3am)
  • Both sides of Grand from Michigan to Wabash  (Wednesday at 7am to Friday at 3am)
  • East side of Wabash from Grand south to 443 N. Wabash  (Wednesday at 7am to Friday at 3am)
  • Both sides of Illinois from Wabash to Michigan  (Wednesday at 2am to Friday at 5am)
  • Both sides of Rush from Illinois to Kinzie  (Wednesday at 2am to Friday at 5am)
  • On Wednesday, September 22nd through 2:00AM Thursday, September 23rd, there will be a full closure on Grand, from Rush to Michigan and ITC on Rush from Illinois to Ohio during filming.

Chicago Med
  • A scene near a homeless encampment at lower level Randolph and Columbus on Thursday, September 23, from 1pm to 10pm. Parking will be prohibited between Wednesday, September 22nd and Friday September 24th at various locations on lower Randolph, Stetson, and Columbus.

The Nanny
  • Monday, September 20th at 6:00 AM until Tuesday, September 21st at 11:59 PM parking will be prohibited on the west side of Columbus from Balbo to Ida B Wells


St. Clair Water Main Project

On Tuesday, September 7 2021, the Department of Water Management (DWM) and Reliable Contracting & Equipment Company crews began installing 1,552 feet of 8-inch new water main in N. St. Clair Street, from E. Superior Street to E. Illinois Street. The old water main dates back to 1880 and needs to be replaced to create a more reliable and efficient system.

To receive automatic email updates and be notified as the project enters each new construction phase please visit BuildingANewChicago.org.

What You Need to Know During Construction

  • Traffic: If DWM needs to close or limit traffic during construction for safety reasons, you will always be able to reach your home or business. Outside of working hours, a travel lane will be left open for local traffic only.

  • Parking: DWM will post “No Parking” signs as needed during work hours (generally 7am-4pm). Parking outside of those hours will be allowed, but cars will need to be moved by the start of the next workday. They will try to preserve as much parking space as possible.

  • Service transfers: DWM will give you 24-hour notice when they will have to temporarily interrupt water service to transfer water to the new main and you will need to start flushing your water system. However, in the event of an emergency shutdown during construction, they may not be able to give you prior warning.

Should you have any questions or concerns please call:
  • 24-Hour City Service and Information Line: 311
  • DWM Office of Public Affairs: 312-744-6635

Peoples Gas Modernization Project: Gold Coast

Peoples Gas will began Phase 1 of their Gas Main Modernization Project in the Gold Coast. Work hours are 8am-5pm, Monday - Friday. Phase 1 of their project has the following parts:

  1. Install new main on Lake Shore Drive, from Michigan to a point 1,200' east thereof. This portion of Phase 1 would start in August and last 25 days. 
  2. Install 200' of new main in the intersection of Oak & Michigan. This includes crossing the eastern pedestrian tunnel. This portion of Phase 1 should start in mid-September and last 10 days.
  3. Install 450' of new main on the west side of Lake Shore Drive, from Oak to Cedar. This includes crossing the northern pedestrian tunnel. Work should begin in early October and last 17 days. 

Please stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates regarding this project.

LG Construction: 751 N. Hudson and 451 W Chicago 

LG Construction has 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). 


Wacker Drive Repainting Project
 
In late-July, the Chicago Department of Transportation began repainting Lower/Middle Wacker Drive, from North Field Boulevard to Lake Shore Drive. Work hours will be 8am-8pm, 6-days a week. 
 
CDOT will be sandblasting/repainting 80' sections of Wacker Drive at a time. The sandblasting/repainting area will be contained and exhaust fans will be in-place to remove dust and fumes.
 
Traffic will be maintained in both directions at all times, and access to parking garages will not be blocked. 
 
This project is expected to be completed mid-December 2021. 

ComEd Vault Roof Replacement

ComEd is replacing a sidewalk vault roof at 344 West Erie Street. Work hours will be 8am-3pm, 5-days a week. 
 
Throughout the work, the sidewalk and curb lane on the north side of West Erie, from North Orleans to the first alley west thereof will be closed. 
 
There will be barricades, detour signs, and flaggers on-site throughout the project. All work is expected to be completed by mid-September (weather dependent).  

Vaulted Sidewalk Fill-in: 600 W. Jackson

Starting at the beginning of August, the vaulted sidewalks adjacent to 600 W. Jackson will be filled and the sidewalks repaired. During the work, the following will be closed:

  • Sidewalk/curb lane on the west side of Jefferson, from Jackson to Adams
  • Sidewalk/curb lane on the north side of Jackson, from Jefferson to the first alley west thereof

There will be detour signs, barricades, and flaggers on-side throughout the project. All work is expected to be finished by the end of September. 

Vaulted Sidewalk Repair: 20 N. Wacker Drive
 
The vaulted sidewalk at 20 North Wacker Drive is being repaired. Throughout the work, the sidewalk on the west side of Wacker, from Washington to a point 100' south thereof will be closed. Construction fencing will be used to enclose the sidewalk and detour signs will be in-place.
 
Pedestrians will be directed to the east side of North Wacker at West Washington and West Madison. 
 
The project is expected to be completed in late September 2021.

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. 

Vaulted Sidewalk Fill-in: 8 East Randolph

In early May, the vaulted sidewalk adjacent to 8 East Randolph Street began to be filled and the sidewalk repaired. During the work, the sidewalk on the east side of State Street, between Randolph Street and Benton Place will be closed to pedestrian traffic.  

The contractor will construct a protected pathway for pedestrians, using jersey barricades, in the curb lane on the east side of State Street, between Randolph Street and Benton Place. All work is expected to be completed by mid-September. 

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 mid-December. 

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). 

Renovations at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street

On February 15, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) began renovating the Grand Army of the Republic Rotunda and Hall at the Cultural Center, located at 78 East Washington Street. Throughout the project, DCASE will be using the Cultural Centers loading zone at 129 North Garland Court as storage for the project and to place their construction dumpster. 

On Monday, April 19, canopies will be installed at the following locations:
  • South side of Randolph, from Michigan to a point 50' west thereof
  • West side of Michigan, from Randolph to a point 75' south thereof

The project is expected to be completed February 2022. 

Construction: 609 West Randolph Street
 
Construction of a 15-story commercial building at 609 West Randolph Street began in mid-January. Throughout the duration of the project, the following will be closed:

  • Curb/Traffic lane and sidewalk on south side of West Randolph, from North Jefferson to 621 West Randolph

There will be a canopy with a concrete crash wall and plywood enclosure for pedestrian use in the closed traffic lane on West Randolph, from North Jefferson to 621 West Randolph.

There will be detour signs, barricades, and flaggers in place for the duration of the project. This project is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2022 (weather dependent).

Aon Plaza Renovations

Renovations on the Aon Plaza located at 200 East Randolph Street began in December 2020. Throughout the project, the sidewalk on Upper East Randolph Street in front of the plaza, and on Lower East Randolph Street, will be reduced to 6’. 
 
The project is expected to be completed at the end of September 2021 (weather dependent). 

Façade Work: 160 North LaSalle Street

Bowa Construction began work in October 2020 to perform façade and cladding work at 160 North LaSalle Street. During the work, there will be scaffolding on the east, north, and south sides of the building. 

All work is expected to be completed in September 2021.

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
  • Both sides of Erie, from Kingsbury to Larrabee
  • West side of Larrabee, from Erie to Huron


As always, please make sure to read all posted signage before parking your vehicle downtown. 

One Chicago Square-1 W Chicago Pedestrian and Traffic Impacts

Although fencing is already in place for the sidewalk closure, pedestrians still have access to the sidewalk, but should exercise caution when walking by the construction site. 
 
The curb lanes along Chicago, State, Superior, and Dearborn will remain a No Parking/Tow Zone throughout the project, to allow for demolition, and then the protected pedestrian walkway.

The sidewalk along the east side of Dearborn, from Superior to Chicago, has been closed to pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians will be rerouted to the west side of Dearborn. 
 
Please stay tuned to Reilly Reports as additional construction updates and closures will be announced.