September 12, 2025

Alderman Reilly Reports

Mexican Independence Day Information

As reported in last week’s Reilly Report, Alderman Reilly is warning residents about potential unsanctioned celebrations downtown for Mexican Independence Day from September 12 through September 16.

The Chicago Police Department will implement rolling closures if unsanctioned car caravans are blocking traffic in the Central Business District. Alderman Reilly has worked closely with CPD to ensure that residents will be able to access their residences if rolling closures are implemented. Access passes for residents have been distributed to property managers in the 42nd Ward.

If road closures are enforced, here is where residents can present their access passes to CPD officers to gain entry. Employees requesting access at one of the checkpoints should present their ID and a form of employment identification.

For more information on public safety and how to sign up for alerts, please visit the OEMC website.

This Week at City Council

This week, the Committee on Budget and Government Operations held preliminary hearings to begin crafting Chicago’s 2026 budget. Last year, Alderman Reilly was vocal about the need for a zero-based budgeting approach that does not rely on increases in tax dollars to close Chicago’s deficit. The Alderman plans to advocate for the same approach this year.

As reported in a previous Reilly Report, Alderman Reilly has consistently called on the Mayor to include Council members in the budget process. Several Aldermen echoed this concern at Tuesday’s Committee meeting.

Unfortunately, the Mayor’s Budget Director testified that the unredacted findings of Ernst & Young report, which cost taxpayers $3 million to produce, will not be released to the public. Alderman Reilly opposed this decision, pointing out that the money used to hire Ernst & Young belongs to the people, not the Mayor. To watch his full comments at Tuesday’s meeting, click here.

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune reported on the City Council’s recent requests for increased transparency in this budget season. Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for updates on this year’s budget proceedings.

Ohio Place Dog Park Closing September 29

for Re-Seeding

Alderman Reilly has authorized a portion of his Aldermanic Menu Funding for the re-seeding of Ohio Place Dog Park. Starting Monday, September 29, the Ohio Place Dog Park will begin a four-week re-seeding process. The Park will be temporarily closed to allow the new grass to grow undisturbed.

The new clover grass seed mix that will be planted will naturally fertilize the soil. This mix grows more effectively in shaded areas than other grasses–making it the best choice for Ohio Place Dog Park.

Due to the high costs of the project, this will be the last time that Aldermanic Menu Funding will be allocated for re-seeding at this park. We request that you please keep your dogs off the grass during the four-week growing period so all residents can enjoy new grass once the park has reopened.

Closure signs will be placed on the park’s gates while the new grass grows. We encourage all residents to use Larrabee Street Dog Park during the closure.

Upcoming Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting

As reported in Reilly Reports on August 1, the proposed development at 310 West Huron Street will be heard at the September Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) public hearing, scheduled for Friday, September 19th. 310 West Huron is currently an undeveloped site used as a surface parking lot at the corner of Huron Street and Orleans Street. ZSD Corp is proposing to build a 9-story mixed-use building with 149 dwelling units, 21 parking spaces and 149 bicycle spaces. Click here for more information.

The development complies with the existing DX-5 Zoning. However, the ZBA will review the request to establish residential use below the second floor, to decrease the off-street parking requirement from 65 spaces to 21 spaces, and to reduce the rear setback on floors containing dwelling units from 30’ to 2.33’.

Rules for public participation in virtual ZBA meetings are now available. A link to live stream the meeting will be added to ZBA’s website on September 19th. This proposal does not require approval from the City Council.

CAPS Meetings

18th District: (312-742-5778 / CAPS.018District@chicagopolice.org)

Beat 1831 CAPS meeting will be held on September 16 at 5pm at 510 N LaSalle St
Beat 1832 CAPS meeting will be held on September 16 at 6pm at 510 N LaSalle St
Beat 1833 CAPS meeting will be held on September 18 at 5pm at 303 E Superior
Beat 1834 CAPS meeting will be held on September 18 at 6pm at 303 E Superior

1st District: (312-745-4381 / CAPS.001District@chicagopolice.org)

There are no scheduled beat meetings for this district for the remainder of the month.

To find your appropriate beat to attend your CAPS meeting, please click here.

Water Quality Survey for Friends of the Chicago River

Researchers at the University of Illinois and the Shedd Aquarium are conducting a study to examine the recreational use of Bubbly Creek on the South Branch of the Chicago River, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC), and the Des Plaines River from the CSSC to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet.

Please take a short, 15-minute survey to share your perspective on recreational use of these waterways [click here]. The findings from this survey will help inform the Illinois EPA’s Triennial Review of water quality standards for these waterways, which could result in strengthened protections for people and wildlife. At the end of the survey, you will also have the chance to enter a raffle to win tickets to Shedd Aquarium!

Your input will help reinforce the case for improved safeguards for these priority waterways. The survey is open until September 22.

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Filming:

200-Block of N LaSalle St & Chicago Riverwalk

From Wednesday, September 17 to Saturday, September 19, Chicago PD will be filming scenes on the 200-block of N LaSalle St and on the Chicago Riverwalk.

On Wednesday, September 17th, filming for a TV Show will be filming scenes at 221 N LaSalle and the Chicago Riverwalk. During filming, parking will be prohibited during the following from Tuesday, 9/16 at 8pm through Wednesday, 9/17 at 10pm:

Both sides of Post Place from Lake to Lower Wacker
West side of Clark from Wacker to Lake
East side of LaSalle from Lake to Wacker
East side of Franklin from Randolph to Wacker
North side of Lake from Clark to Franklin
Both sides of Lower Wacker Service Lane from Post Place to LaSalle

Please note that during filming there will be the following traffic control:

Wednesday, 9/17 from NOON – 4:00PM: FULL STREET CLOSURE on Lower Wacker Service Lane from Post Place to LaSalle
Wednesday, 9/17 from 3:00PM – 8:00PM: INTERMITTENT TRAFFIC CONTROL on Post Place from Lake to Lower Wacker

If you have any questions, concerns or special needs, please contact Kyle Witvoet, 630-747-1246 or Kurt Close, 224-430-2978.

On Friday & Saturday, September 18th & 19th, Chicago PD will be filming scenes at 200 N LaSalle. During prep & filming, parking will be prohibited during the following:

Tuesday, 9/16 from 8:00 PM through Saturday, 9/17 at 10PM
Both Sides of Middle Level Stetson from Middle South Water to Middle Lake
North Side of Middle South Water from Michigan to Middle Stetson
Thursday, 9/18 at 8:00 PM through Saturday, 9/20 at 10PM
Both sides of LaSalle from Wacker to Lake
West side of Clark from Wacker to Lake
Both sides of Lake from Clark to Wells
East side of Franklin from Randolph to Wacker

Please note that during filming there will be the following traffic control:

Saturday, September 20th from 6:00AM – 10:00PM:
FULL STREET CLOSURE on Lake from Clark to Wells
FULL STREET CLOSURE on LaSalle from Wacker to Lake

If you have any questions, concerns or special needs, please contact Kyle Witvoet, 630-747-1246 or Kurt Close, 224-430-2978.

314 W Superior

From Wednesday, September 17 through Friday, September 19, a commercial will be filming scenes at 314 W Superior St. During filming, the following streets will be closed from 9/17 through 9/19, 6am-8pm daily:

South side of W Superior from 313 W Superior to the alley at 301 W Superior

If you have questions, concerns, or special needs, please contact Chris Kauten (Location Manager) at 312-805-1331.

Sidewalk Closure at 180 W Adams

On Saturday, September 20, a telehandler will be onsite at 180 W Adams to work on the facade of the building. The power equipment will be onsite from 8am to 4pm. During the work, the north sidewalk on Adams from Wells to 172 W Adams will be closed to pedestrian traffic. A partial lane closure of the westbound lanes on Adams will also be in effect. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic. Pedestrians will be able to use the sidewalk on the south side of Adams.

Halsted St / Chicago Ave River Bridge Construction Update

The first month of the Halsted St / Chicago Ave project is complete. Crews have removed existing street lighting, traffic signals, signage, and bus shelters. Viaduct removal is underway along the north leg of Halsted and the east end of Chicago Ave.

Demolition of the Chicago Ave bridge will continue over the next month. In areas where demolition is complete, crews will begin constructing new bridge piers. Crews will implement measures to minimize disruptions as much as possible, but noise and dust are inherent to the bridge demolition process.

Full closure of the Chicago Ave Bridge will start on September 29. The current detour map can be found here. The full project is expected to be completed by the end of the year 2026.

Erie St Closure Near Northwestern Memorial Hospital

From September 19 at 6am through September 21 at 4pm, roughly a half block of the north side of Erie St between St Clair and Fairbanks will be closed. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be rerouted. The driveway to the health care center on Erie will still be open, but guests will need to enter on Huron St. Click here for the traffic plan.

Upcoming Events in Pioneer Court:

Garrett Popcorn

Friday, September 12, 6am-8pm

Garrett Popcorn will be bringing a branded stand and handing out pre-packaged samples of their new popcorn flavor.

Magnificent Market (Market Days Special Saturday Market)

Saturday, September 13, 6am-4pm

Market Days and the Chicago French Market are hosting a special Saturday market called “Magnificent Market.” This market will feature new and existing vendors, music, and other fun activations.

State / Lake CTA Station Upgrade

CDOT and CTA continue work to transform the 108-year-old CTA train station at State & Lake. The work will affect the CTA bus routes listed here. The north sidewalk across the bridge will close 9/15. One westbound lane on Lake St will close on 9/15, as well. In late September, early morning site survey will begin on the roadway and sidewalk, which will require the bridge to be lifted from 10pm-5am each day. The dates for these lifts are not yet set--stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates.

The CTA train station will remain open, and access to surrounding businesses will be maintained throughout construction. The new station is expected to be finished in 2029.

830 N Michigan Façade Work

Contractors are completing work on the façade at 830 N Michigan Ave. During work, a temporary sidewalk closure will be in place until approximately October 31. The façade will be fully enclosed with a temporary wall, allowing a portion of the sidewalk in front of 830 N Michigan to remain open to pedestrians.

Street Resurfacing - Wabash Ave from Wacker Dr to Balbo Dr

CDOT continues work on Wabash Avenue from Wacker Drive to East Balbo Drive. The work is a part of the CDOT's Arterial Street Resurfacing Project.

The work will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement, milling and paving the existing asphalt, and striping improvements. During construction, temporary "No Parking" signs will be periodically installed. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions on construction closures.

Work is estimated to be completed by October 31, 2025.

Ohio Street I-90/94 Feeder Ramp Resurfacing

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) continues to perform work on the outbound lanes of the Ohio Street feeder ramp. Only two lanes will be closed at a time. IDOT is not required to adhere to the construction schedule outlined by the Chicago municipal code. The project is estimated to be in progress until late 2025.

676 North Michigan Avenue Façade Project

Redmond Construction was hired to complete a façade project at 676 North Michigan Avenue. Currently, the following closures are in-place:

Sidewalk on the south side of Huron, from Michigan Avenue to a point 150' west thereof
Curb lane on the south side of Huron, from Michigan Avenue to a point 150' west thereof is being used as a pedestrian walkway
Partial sidewalk closure the west side of Michigan, from Huron to a point 100' south thereof

This project is expected to be completed by fall 2025.

State Street Bridge Project

CDOT continues structural repair work on the State Street Bridge. Throughout the project, the bridge will remain closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. State Street will remain open on both sides of the bridge during construction, and vehicles crossing the river will be rerouted to Clark Street and Dearborn Street.

The project is expected to be completed at the beginning of December 2025.

River North Lighting Project

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has completed new light pole installation in the area bounded by Chicago, Ontario, Orleans, and the river. CDOT continues to restore infrastructure trenching.

Bally's Casino Construction Update

Contractors are now in the process of installing the structural foundations, and superstructure will be installed starting in early September. Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates.