November 3, 2023

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Alderman Reilly Reports

This Week at City Council

This week, the City Council and various Committees discussed and voted on important new legislative initiatives, described below:


Referendum to allow voters (at March 19, 2024 election) to decide whether Chicago should continue its designation as Sanctuary City (R2023-0004224): Alderman Reilly spoke on this matter at City Council on November 1 (skip to 2:46:26). On motion of Alderperson Vasquez and Alderperson Ramirez-Rosa, the matter was Deferred and Published. Therefore, the matter will be discussed at an upcoming meeting.


Referendum to allow voters (at March 19, 2024 election) to determine if Chicago shall create flooding mitigation and response plan (R2023-0005109): Alderman Reilly spoke on this matter at City Council on November 1 (skip to 2:46:26). On motion of Alderperson Hadden and Alderperson Mitts, the matter was Deferred and Published. Therefore, the matter will be discussed at an upcoming meeting.


Referendum to allow voters (at March 19, 2024 election) to increase Chicago’s real estate transfer tax rates (R2023-0004166): Alderman Reilly spoke on this matter at Rules Committee on October 31 (skip to 2:29:20). On motion of Alderpersons Ramirez-Rosa, Hadden and Martin, the matter was Deferred and Published. Therefore, the matter will be discussed at an upcoming meeting.


Chicago Paid Leave Ordinance (SO2023-0002980): Alderman Reilly discussed his concerns with the ordinance at the Committee on Workforce Development, although he is not a voting member. Click here to listen to his comments (skip to 33:43). The matter was recommended to Pass by the Committee on Workforce Development on November 2nd; it will be voted on by the City Council at an upcoming meeting.


Automated Muffler Noise Enforcement Pilot Program (O2023-0004202): In September, Alderman Reilly introduced an ordinance to establish an Automated Muffler Noise Enforcement Pilot Program. CBS2 recently discussed the ordinance with Alderman Reilly here. This matter was referred to the Committee on Public Safety and will be heard at an upcoming meeting.

Updated Neighborhood Alert:

Mayor Johnson Still Considering Marina City Complex for Migrant Shelter

Earlier this week, our office reported that Mayor Johnson is considering establishing a migrant shelter at the Hotel Chicago Downtown in the Marina City Complex. While our report that the Administration is considering a migrant shelter in the Marina City Complex was factually correct - we were supplied the wrong address from our source in the Mayor’s Office.


Earlier this week, the Johnson Administration stated that the Hotel Chicago will NOT be used to house migrants. That assertion is correct. However, the Mayor’s Office was not entirely truthful with the media, because the Mayor’s Office IS considering a location inside the Marina City Complex at an address less than 100 feet away from the Hotel: the now vacant former Museum of Broadcast Communications located at 360 North State Street.


When a high-ranking member of the Johnson Administration provided our office with the correct address for the potential migrant hotel to be located in the Marina City Complex, Alderman Reilly renewed his strenuous objections to this location.


Not only is the Museum of Broadcast Communications not built to provide residential housing, Alderman Reilly also remains concerned about existing public safety issues in the neighborhood; the lack of amenities and social services for the migrant community; and the dismally poor performance of the migrant  hotel located at the Inn of Chicago in Streeterville.


Alderman Reilly is disappointed the Mayor’s Press Office chose not to share this important information with the media earlier this week when they knew, full well, that the address immediately adjacent to the Hotel Chicago was (and remains) in consideration for use as a migrant hotel.


Our office spoke with the new owner of 360 North State Street who confirmed that the Johnson Administration recently toured the space and expressed interest in potentially using the site for migrant housing. We subsequently confirmed with our source in the Mayor’s Office that 360 North State Street is still being considered for migrant housing.


If you agree with Alderman Reilly and oppose the Johnson Administration converting 360 North State Street into a migrant facility for as many as one thousand migrants, please email the following members of the Johnson Administration, with a cc to our office ([email protected]):



Alderman Reilly's Office Closed on Friday, November 10th for Veterans Day

Please be advised that Alderman Reilly's 42nd Ward Office, Chicago Public Libraries, and other government offices will be closed Friday, November 10 to comply with the City of Chicago mandatory holiday schedule.

 

If you have a need for city services, please call 311 for non-emergency requests, or dial 911 if you require immediate assistance.

Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony

Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs, and the City will honor local and national veterans who have proudly served our nation during this year’s Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony on Saturday, November 11 at Soldier Field. 


The event is open to the public and free to attend; reservations are recommended. Please RSVP online by November 7. Business attire or service dress uniform is requested. Complimentary parking is available at the Waldron Deck Parking Structure; exit at 18th Street from DuSable Lake Shore Drive. 


The City’s Veterans Day event will be livestreamed on the Mayor's Twitter and Facebook as well as on Chicago.gov/Live.

Lake Shore Drive Bridge from

Randolph to Grand - Weekend Work

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced that the CDOT will be working on the Lake Shore Drive Bridge and Viaduct Network between Randolph St. to Grand Ave. This closure will involve expansion joint rehabilitation.  


Southbound Upper Level Lake Shore Drive over the nights of November 3 thru 5 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. will have a three lane closure of the roadway. During the days of November 4 and 5 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. there will be a two lane closure.


Northbound Upper Level Lake Shore Drive over the nights of November 10 thru 12 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. will have a three lane closure of the roadway, this closure will require a detour of the Illinois Street ramp to Navy Pier. During the days of November 11 and 12 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. there will be a two lane closure.

CAPS Meetings

18th District: (312-742-5778 / [email protected])

  • Beat 1824 CAPS Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 16th, at 6PM.
  • Beat 1831 CAPS Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st, at 5PM.
  • Beat 1832 CAPS Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st, at 6PM.
  • Beat 1833 CAPS Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 22nd, at 5PM.
  • Beat 1834 CAPS Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 22nd, at 6PM.

1st District: (312-745-4381 / [email protected])

  • Beat 121 CAPS Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 8th at 5:30PM.

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42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Helicopter Lift: 57 E Delaware


Midwest Helicopter was hired by 57 E Delaware to lift HVAC units onto their roof. The lift will occur on Sunday, November 19, from 9am to 11am. During the lift, the following will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian access:


  • Delaware, from State to Ernst Ct. 
  • Wabash, from Chestnut to Delaware 
  • Rush, from Chestnut to Walton


Street Resurfacing


The following resurfacing projects will begin at the beginning of November 2023:


  • New Street, between East North Water and East Illinois
  • New Street, between East North Water and River Drive
  • River Drive, between North New Street and North McClurg Court
  • McClurg Court, between River Drive and East North Water
  • Huron, between Hudson and Sedgwick
  • Erie, between Hudson and Sedgwick


Crews will grind away the top layer of asphalt first and return within two weeks to install new asphalt. The entire process can take 3 weeks to complete (weather dependent).


Canal Street Viaduct Project:


The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is performing viaduct repairs on Canal Street, between Jackson and Adams.


Vehicle access is prohibited to this stretch of Canal Street throughout the project. Since the viaduct is over Metra/Amtrack train tracks, this project is required to be conducted during the overnight hours.


The project is expected to be completed by early 2025.


PGL River North Project


Peoples Gas began a gas main project in River North. PGL will be working at the following locations:


  • Franklin, from Huron to Chicago
  • Superior, from Wells to Orleans
  • Chicago, from Orleans to LaSalle


The project will be completed at the end of 2023.


120 E Oak Street Facade Project


Summit Design + Build began a facade project at 120 E Oak Street in May 2023. Works hours will be Monday thru Saturday, from 8am-5pm.  


Throughout the project, the sidewalk adjacent to the building will be closed. It will be covered by construction fencing. Pedestrians will be pushed to a protected pedestrian path in the curb lane.


Deliveries will occur between before 9am and debris will be removed between 8am-9am. There will be a gate at the east end of the fencing for deliveries and debris removal.


The project will be completed in early November.


Murphy Auditorium Renovation


Driehaus Museum purchased the Murphy Auditorium (50 E Erie) in June 2023, and began the following interior renovations:


  • Offices are going to be renovated
  • Stage has sunken – leveled out; fix accessibility issue
  • New elevator to go all the way to the top floor


Throughout the project, the following will be in-place:


  • Pedestrian canopy over the sidewalk in front of 50 E Erie
  • 100' of curb lane will be closed in front of 50 E Erie for material deliveries and small crane


They will need to use a small crane periodically throughout the project to lift materials onto the roof that can't fit through the doorway. 


** Crane lift planned on Tuesday, Oct 31 and Wednesday, Nov 1 (backup Thu Nov 2) from 9am to 4pm. While the lift is occurring, vehicular access to East Erie, between North Wabash and North Rush. The cane will remain up overnight. That said, the outriggers will be pulled in to allow for one lane of eastbound traffic.


Water Main project: Superior, from Orleans to Kingsbury


In Mid-October 2023, the Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) began a water main project on West Superior Street, between North Orleans Street and North Kingsbury Street. This project will be completed in three phases. 


Phase 1 will include prep work, utility locating, tree trimming, and infrastructure trenching. The trenching will begin at West Superior and North Kingsbury and move eastward.


DWM is coordinating all water shut offs with each affected building property managers. Work hours will be 7:30am to 7:00pm, Monday through Friday. All work is expected to be completed by the end of February 2024 (weather dependent).  If you have any questions related to this project, please contact Bobby Lyons (project manager) at 773-724-1594 or John Bania (site foreman) at 773-663-8648.


LSD Bridge & Viaduct Project - September 25 to Summer 2024


The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) began working on the Lake Shore Drive Bridge and Viaduct Network between Monroe and Ontario. This work will include removing and replacing link plates, stainless steel pins, and Teflon bushings and expansion joint rehabilitation.  


Upper Level Lake Shore Drive will have one permanent lane closure in each direction and an additional lane closure during off-peak hours.


Intermediate Level Lake Shore Drive will have two permanent lane closures in each direction.


This project is expected to be completed summer of 2024.



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


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. 


Dismantling the tower crane at 150 E Ontario will take place between Friday, Nov. 10 at 9 AM and Sunday, Nov 12 at 9 AM.


Street Sweeping


During street sweeping season (April 1 to mid-November) the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation uses mechanical street sweepers to remove debris and litter from streets, weather permitting. Throughout the season, DSS deploys mechanical street sweepers at regularly scheduled times to clear debris from Chicago streets. Starting this week, dozens of street sweepers have begun clearing the debris and leaves that have accumulated during winter months on both residential and arterial streets. 


On weekdays, from 9am to 2pm, this Sweeper Tracker map will show real-time locations of city street sweepers. For more information, please review the 42nd Ward Map and street sweeping schedule. Residents can also call 311 to find the dates and locations of street sweeping in their area.


Please check for the bright orange signs announcing temporary parking restrictions. These signs are posted two days prior to scheduled street sweeping events. Some streets also have permanently posted signs that specify a once-per-week period when parking is prohibited for street sweeping.


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.