October 17, 2025

Alderman Reilly Reports

This Week at City Council

Earlier this week, Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his 2026 Budget Address, outlining his plan to close the City’s projected $1.15 billion budget gap. The proposal includes several new or expanded revenue measures, such as increasing the cloud and streaming services tax and reintroducing the employee “head tax” on large employers in Chicago, which may impact both residents and businesses. The Mayor’s proposed budget totals $6.1 billion (a 4.7% increase since last year and a 35% increase since 2020).

Alderman Reilly has long advocated for a more disciplined fiscal approach that prioritizes spending cuts and efficiency measures rather than new taxes to balance the budget and protect taxpayers. In a recent Chicago Tribune article, Alderman Reilly described the Mayor’s budget proposal as “smoke and mirrors.”

Starting next week, the Committee on Budget and Government Operations will begin hosting all city departments to discuss the 2026 budget. Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates during this year’s budget season.

Downtown Events This Saturday

Downtown will be especially busy this Saturday, October 18, with two large gatherings expected to draw significant crowds.

“No Kings” Protest – 12:00 - 2:00 PM

A national demonstration will take place at Grant Park’s Butler Field, advocating against ICE deployments and the government shutdown. Expect protest activity and intermittent traffic impacts near the park, potentially Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. Click here for information on how you can sign up for emergency alerts from OEMC to stay apprised of traffic and safety impacts.

Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade – 6:00 - 8:00 PM

The annual Arts in the Dark Parade returns to State Street (Randolph to Van Buren) featuring more than 5,000 participants, illuminated floats, puppetry, and live music. State Street will be closed from 6-11pm with additional rolling closures throughout the Loop starting in the afternoon. For a complete list of street closures, click here. For more information, please click here.

Residents are encouraged to plan ahead for traffic congestion, CTA reroutes, and parking restrictions near event areas.

Construction in the 42nd Ward

Alderman Reilly is extremely frustrated with overlapping construction projects affecting 42nd Ward residents and commuters. Our office has shared all resident feedback with the responsible city and state departments, demanded better communication and coordination, and pushed for increased efforts, like extended traffic control aides, to help manage congestion and keep traffic moving. Please be aware of the projects described below.

Kennedy Expressway and Ohio / Ontario Feeder Ramps

Last week, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) closed the westbound Ontario Street ramp onto the Kennedy Expressway as part of the ongoing rehabilitation project on the Expressway. Express and local lanes will remain closed for approximately one more week as part of this construction. Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates from IDOT.

The Ohio / Ontario Street feeder ramps is an ongoing project to repair the bridges that carry Ohio and Ontario streets over the North Branch of the Chicago River and Kingsbury Street. To complete the work, Ohio St and Ontario St are reduced from three to two lanes between the Kennedy and Orleans Street. The project began in November 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in summer 2026. It was originally estimated to be finished by the end of this year, but additional time is needed to complete the work. IDOT's release on this project can be found here.

Emergency Repairs on Grand Ave Bridge

Emergency repairs continue on the Grand Avenue Bridge. The bridge was closed on Monday, October 13 and will reopen on Friday, October 24, with work taking place from 8am - 4pm. Traffic will be maintained in both directions during the closure, but traffic will be reduced to one lane on the south side of the bridge. The traffic lanes and sidewalk on the north side of the bridge will be closed during repairs.

Chicago Ave Bridge Construction

Construction continues on the Chicago Ave Bridge. At the request of Alderman Reilly, CDOT installed “Local Traffic Only” signs around the area bounded by Chicago Ave, Orleans St, Grand Ave, and the north branch of the Chicago River. Traffic will be rerouted to avoid congestion near the Chicago Ave construction. The current detour map can be found here. Traffic control aides are in place at several intersections on Kingsbury St from 3-7pm on weekdays. Alderman Reilly has requested an extension of this assistance due to the number of construction projects in the area, and the aides will now be in place until November 24. The Chicago Avenue Bridge will remain closed until the end of the year 2026.

Construction also continues on the State Street Bridge (expected completion date Dec 2025), the Lake Street Bascule Bridge (Jan 2028), and the State / Lake CTA station (2029). More information on these projects is below in the Closures and Construction Projects section.

CAPS Meetings

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

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

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.

Cook County Homeowner Property Tax Relief

The Cook County Board of Commissioners recently launched a program to assist homeowners who have experienced a substantial increase in property taxes in recent years. The relief fund's eligibility has broadened from a 50% increase to a 30% increase in property taxes, and that change is reflected below. The program will begin providing immediate assistance to homeowners that meet the following eligibility requirements:

You experienced a property tax increase of at least 30% in the 2021, 2022, or 2023 tax years
You have a household income at or below Cook County's median income ($120,000 for a family of four, $96,000 for a family of two)
You occupy the property as your primary residence

Accepted applicants will receive $1,000 in one-time assistance. The application has been extended through October 31 at 11:59pm. Please click here to apply.

Pin & Link Project:

Randolph, Columbus, & Stetson

CDOT's joint rehab work is ongoing along Randolph Street, Columbus Drive, and Stetson Avenue. Please see details below for the ongoing construction and closures.

General Construction Schedule:

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

10/20 - 10/24 and 10/27 - 10/31:

Columbus Drive (Wacker Dr to Randolph St):
Work along center lanes of Columbus on upper, intermediate, and lower levels
Access Impacts:
Center lane and median closures (driveway access to be maintained)
Pedestrian detours around sidewalk work areas
Temporary closure of northbound lane on Lower Columbus from Randolph St to Lake St
Detour route will be in place directing all vehicles up the ramp to intermediate Columbus
Closure in place until 10/20
Randolph Street (Stetson Ave to Field Blvd):
Work along north side of Randolph on upper, intermediate, and lower levels
Access Impacts:
North curb lane closure and parking restrictions (driveway access to be maintained)
Pedestrian detours around the sidewalk work areas
Randolph Street (Stetson Ave to Field Blvd):
Work along the south side of Randolph on intermediate level
Access impacts
South curb lane closure and parking restrictions (driveway access to be maintained)
Pedestrian detours around the sidewalk work areas

Additional details about the ongoing Pin & Link project will be provided in future weekly updates.

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Crane Lifts:

205 W Superior

On Friday, October 17, a partial road closure will be in effect for a crane lift at 205 W Superior. Parking on the north side of Superior St near Wells St will be prohibited and traffic will be redirected.

165 N Canal

On Sunday, October 26, Bay Crane will be lifting HVAC units to the roof at 165 N Canal St. Cranes will begin lifting on the south end of Canal St, allowing residents to exit the garage at Lake St with the assistance of traffic control aides. The crane will make its way to the north end, and residents will be able to enter the garage from Randolph St. CTA bus operations will not be affected. During the lift on 10/20, "No Parking" signs will be posted on Canal St between Randolph and Lake St between 9am - 4pm. Pedestrian access on the east side of Canal St will be restricted for the safety of all.

Lake Street Bascule Bridge Closed October 6

Full street and sidewalk closures on the bridge went into effect October 6. Overnight work is scheduled to occur on October 18 from 1-5am during non-CTA service hours. On October 23, from 7am - 4pm, ComEd and CTA will be closing the north sidewalk west of the bridge between the 444 River Plaza stairs. The west crosswalk, stairwell, and doorway access will remain open.

Detours will be in place for traffic in both directions. Click here for the full detour map. During this work CTA Green and Pink lines will operate normally, except for two 12-day planned closures in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. The work on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge is expected to be completed in January 2028.

Ohio Place Dog Park Closed for Re-Seeding

The Ohio Place Dog Park remains closed for a re-seeding project. Alderman Reilly authorized a portion of his Aldermanic Menu Funding to install this new fertilizer. The park will remain closed until the end of October. The gates have been locked, and closure signs have been placed at both entrances. Please keep your dogs off the grass to allow it to grow during this closure. We encourage residents to use the Larrabee Street Dog Park.

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. Starting the evening of Monday, October 13, Lake St will be reduced to one lane at the site, and State St will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Wacker Dr and Randolph St. 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 the end of October 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 by 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.