December 27, 2024

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Alderman Reilly Reports

New Years Eve Celebration

The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the return of the New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular on the Chicago River to ring in 2025. In partnership with ART on THE MART.  The evening will culminate with a fireworks display from six bridges along the river beginning at midnight, coinciding with the grand Navy Pier fireworks display on the lakefront.


Fireworks will be launched from the following bridges from 12:00 AM-12:05 AM on January 1, 2025:

  • Franklin Street (West Side)
  • LaSalle Street (East Side)
  • Dearborn Street (East Side)
  • Clark Street (East Side)
  • State Street (East Side)
  • Columbus Drive (East Side)


The sidewalk on the launch side of each bridge will be closed to pedestrian traffic from Tuesday, December 31 at 4:30 PM to Wednesday, January 1 at 12:30 AM.  Riverwalk entrances will be closed and boats will be prohibited from accessing the Chicago River starting at 11:30 PM. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be prohibited on the above bridges during the fireworks display.


Rolling streets closures may occur at the following locations:

  • Wacker Drive from Wells Street to Columbus Drive
  • LaSalle Street, Dearborn, State & Columbus Bridges
  • Bridges at Wells Street and Michigan Avenue


Residents should allow for extra travel time during this event as the Chicago Police Department may enact other closures not listed above for safety reasons.

FREE Smoke Alarms at the 42nd Ward Office

Please call our office at (312) 744-3062 to schedule a pick-up time for a free smoke detector! Pick-ups will be at City Hall, 121 N LaSalle Street, floor 200.  Most fires occur at night when people are sleeping. A smoke detector can alert you when there is a fire, in time to save your life.

Below are some tips to ensure your smoke detector is properly installed and working correctly:

  • Make sure you are testing your detector correctly.
  • When a smoke detector sounds, get outside and call 911. Stay outside!
  • Install smoke detectors within 15 feet of any sleeping room and every level of your house
  • Replace your smoke detector every 10 years. Write the install date on the unit.
  • Don't forget to install Carbon Monoxide detectors on every floor as well.
  • Any questions on smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors, call the Chicago Fire Department Public Education Division at (312) 747-6691.

A special thank you to the Chicago Fire Department for the smoke detector! Smoke detectors can be picked up from the 42nd Ward Office between the hours of 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday located in City Hall, Room 200.

 

For any other questions or to coordinate picking up a smoke alarm, please call us at (312) 744-3062 or send us a note via office@ward42chicago.com


Shared Sidewalk Cost Program

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have been a part of this popular program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation. New applicants can apply on Monday, January 13, 2025 from 6 am - 10 pm.  


Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on availability of funds. The program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early. 


Applications will only be accepted via the City’s 311 system. Applicants can apply for the program by calling 311 or visiting CHI311 online. 

 

Please click here for more information regarding the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program.

Winter Parking Restrictions

Beginning December 1, 2022, if you see a posted sign that says "No Parking’ between 3:00 am and 7:00 am" that means that the winter overnight parking ban is in effect on this street, whether it snows or not.


Do not park at this location between 3:00 am and 7:00 am from December 1, 2022 - April 1, 2023 or you will be ticketed or towed. 


Visit the City of Chicago's winter snow parking restrictions page to learn more. Chicagoans can visit chicagoshovels.org or a map of streets impacted by the ban and to view the City’s snow plows in real-time during a storm.

CAPS Meetings

18th District: (312-742-5778 / CAPS018District@chicagopolice.org)

  • There are no CAPS meetings scheduled for this district for the month of December.


Click here for 18th District meeting locations.


1st District: (312-745-4381 / CAPS001District@chicagopolice.org)

  • There are no CAPS meetings scheduled for this district for the month of December.


42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects


Residential Lighting Project Notice: Huron, from Michigan to Fairbanks


The Chicago Department of Transportation began installation of new street lights on East Huron Street, between North Michigan Avenue and North Fairbanks Court. John Burns Construction is the contractor for this project and Stanley Consultants is providing resident engineering services for the Chicago Department of Transportation.


The work will include the installation of foundations, boring of underground conduits, cable pulling, the installation of new residential lighting poles with piggyback lights, LED Smart Lighting luminaires, and the restoration of concrete sidewalks and parkways disturbed by the construction. The existing light poles will be removed once the new lighting system is functioning properly.


During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each activity listed above so that work may be performed safely. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, and residents can park normally after the posted hours and overnight, and usually all day on weekends.


The project is expected to be completed by December 2024.



Helicopter Lift - 118 N Clark

A five hour helicopter lift will be taking place at 118 N Clark Street on December 29 at 7:30 AM. The following street closures will be in effect during the lift:


  • West Randolph Street Between North LaSalle Street and North Dearborn Street
  • North Clark Street Between West Lake Street and West Calhoun Street
  • West Washington Between North LaSalle Street and North Dearborn Street


Crane Lift

Park Hyatt – 806 N Rush Street

A full street closure will occur on Rush Street from Chicago Avenue to Pearson Street from Friday 1/10/25 to Sunday 1/12/25. Please see below for details:

 

Dates: (3) days

Friday – 1/10/25 – we will have the crane arrive onsite around 8pm (night) to setup – crane will stay onsite overnight

Saturday – 1/11/25 – hoisting day – start picking at 8am – (1) day

Sunday – 1/12/25 – break crane job & head back to site 



157 W Grand Ave

On Saturday, January 11, 2025 a crane lift will take place to replace two units on the rooftop of 157 W Grand, resulting in a partial street closure from 8am - 5pm. One lane will remain open on Grand Ave during the lift. A backup day will be scheduled for Sunday, January 12, 2025.



Pin & Link Project on Randolph and Columbus


CDOT crews are scheduled to perform steel work and bridge expansion joint rehab along Randolph Street, Columbus Drive, and Stetson Avenue. Please see details below:


General Construction Schedule:

7:00 am - 3:30 pm, Monday - Friday; with the occasional extension to 5:30 pm as needed. 

 

Scope of Work and Access Impacts During Construction:

In general, one lane of travel will be open at all times along each roadway, level, and direction. Access along sidewalks will remain open with detours around the work areas.  



Casino Demolition Update


The demolition team will begin site concrete crushing operations over the next eight weeks. The operation with run from 8 AM until 5 PM. The crusher will be placed in between the Ontario feeder ramp and the southern edge of the current building.



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.



Kennedy Expressway Bridge Rehabilitation


In 2023, IDOT began rehabilitating the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94), from the Edens Expressway (I-94) junction to Ohio Street.


The estimated $150 million project consists of rehabilitating 36 bridges and the Reversible Lane Access Control system, replacing overhead sign structures, installing new signage and modernized LED lights, pavement patching, and structural painting. Additionally, Hubbard’s Cave, from Grand Avenue to Wayman Street, will be painted and new LED lighting installed.


The work will take place over three consecutive construction seasons, broken down into the following stages:

  • 2023 – Inbound Kennedy: Click here for stage 1 fact sheet.
  • 2024 – Reversible Express Lanes: Click here for stage 2 fact sheet.
  • 2025 – Outbound Kennedy: Click here for stage 3 fact sheet.


The Kennedy Expressway officially opened in November 1960, with the last major rehabilitation completed in 1994. The project will improve safety, traffic flow and reliability for the more than 275,000 motorists who use the expressway each day.


Click here for a project overview.

Click here for a FAQ

Click here to see photos and videos of the project.