December 16, 2022

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Alderman Reilly Reports

This Week at City Council

Casino Update:


On Wednesday, December 14th, the City Council voted to approve the proposed amendment to Planned Development # 1426, submitted by Bally’s Chicago Operating Company LLC (necessary for the permanent casino). This matter was reviewed by the Chicago Plan Commission on Monday, December 12th and the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards on Tuesday, December 13th. Alderman Reilly was present at both meetings to vehemently oppose the project. 


If you were not able to attend the meeting, a recording of the Zoning Committee meeting can be viewed here (casino discussion begins at 1:03:13 and Alderman Reilly’s comments begin at 1:39:20). Click here to watch a recording of the City Council meeting (casino discussion begins at 3:25:23 and Alderman Reilly’s comments begin at 3:41:44). A recording of the CPC is not available yet, but you can read a recap from the Chicago Tribune here


The next step will be for the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) to consider Bally’s application. According to the Illinois Gaming Board website, "Meetings of the Illinois Gaming Board are conducted pursuant to the Open Meetings Act. Meeting agendas are posted 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date. Typically, open session meetings of the Board are held on the 5th floor of the Michael A. Bilandic building, located at 160 North LaSalle Street. If you would like to be on the agenda under "public commentary" you must submit your request in writing prior to the posting of the agenda. Requests will not be accepted once the agenda has been posted."


February 9, 2023 is the next Illinois Gaming Board meeting - it is not confirmed whether Bally’s will be on the agenda. Any comments or concerns regarding the Chicago casino can be sent to igb.legal@illinois.gov. Please be specific as possible, if you want to speak or if you just want the Illinois Gaming Board to be aware of an issue.


O2022-2498 (Ordinance to Repeal Inflation-Tied Property Tax Increases):


As previously reported in Reilly Reports, on Monday, December 12th, the Committee on Finance reviewed Alderman Reilly’s ordinance to repeal the automatic annual property tax increase tied to the Consumer Price Index. Unfortunately, the matter did not receive the Committee’s recommendation, falling to a 17-11 vote. 


If you were not able to attend the meeting, a recording can be viewed here (ordinance discussion begins at 2:45:56). The matter was also discussed in Crain's Chicago Business and CBS News


Committee Chairman Waguespack did not report the recommendation to the City Council on Wednesday, December 14th. That means the matter is still pending and can be revived for further consideration by the City Council. 


The automatic annual property tax increase of the lesser of the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index and 5% originally passed as a part of the 2021 Annual Budget. Alderman Reilly’s proposed ordinance repeals the code section in its entirety.


As we approach the holidays and property tax bills are hitting mailboxes, many homeowners are shocked to learn they now owe thousands more dollars in property taxes than in previous years. Furthermore, the Administration received City Council approval for the 2023 budget (over Alderman Reilly’s “no” vote) without utilizing this automatic 5% increase. The CPI-tied tax increase is nothing more than an “inflation calculator”. Without it, the Administration still has the ability to propose a tax increase, as needed, to meet our budget and pension obligations.


Alderman Reilly appealed to his colleagues on the City Council to support his ordinance on behalf of Chicago residents and looks forward to continuing his effort to pass this important, fiscally-responsible ordinance.

Illinois Treasurer Frerichs returns millions in lost funds to Illinoians

Illinois Treasurer Frerichs has returned a record $1.5 billion in unclaimed property, more than $3.5 billion remains to be claimed by Illinois families, businesses, and non-profit organizations.


In the 42nd Ward, Alderman Reilly has worked closely with Treasurer Frerichs’ Office to return unclaimed funds, including the returns of more than $27,000 to one local charity. Thousands of people claim their cash, securities, or valuables every day. However, nearly 400,000 assets totaling nearly $222 million remain to be claimed from our area. 


Starting your claim online takes as little as five minutes, and most smaller claims are approved with no additional paperwork or questions. The average claim is around $1,000. Visit IllinoisTreasurer.gov/ICASH and start your claim today. If you have questions or need help, please feel free to email icash@illinoistreasurer.gov or call 800-961-8303.

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

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Grand Avenue Bridge Project


The Grand Avenue Bridge project will be completed at the beginning of 2023. That said, work on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18 will begin at 7am.


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 December 2022 (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.