May 9, 2025

Alderman Reilly Reports

Trump Tower Barricades Removed

Near Riverfront

As reported by the SunTimes, Trump Tower has removed barricades that had restricted public access to the Riverwalk for several months near 401 North Wabash Avenue. In response to numerous reports that the plaza area had been restricted, our office immediately contacted the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), who confirmed the barriers were not compliant with the Planned Development governing the site.

In response, DPD issued a formal letter to the building, directing them to remove the barricades and restore full pedestrian access. We’re pleased to share that the barricades have now been removed, and that public access has been restored.

Switch on Summer Event

Saturday, May 10th

On Saturday, May 10, the Chicago Park District will host the 11th annual "Switch on Summer" event from 11:30am to 1:00pm at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. The event is family-friendly and free for all attendees. There will be live music, cultural performances, and activities for people of all ages. The event also marks the opening of Buckingham Fountain.

During the event, parking will be prohibited on the east side of S Columbus Dr from Jackson St to Balbo Dr.

Alderman Reilly encourages residents to attend to celebrate the fast-approaching Chicago summer season. Please click here to learn more about this year’s event.

Season Opening of Nicholas J. Melas Centennial Fountain Thursday, May 15th

On Thursday, May 15 at 2:00pm, Alderman Reilly and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District will host a brief ceremony to commemorate the season opening of the Nicholas J. Melas Centennial Fountain at 400 North McClurg Court. This event was previously scheduled for May 1 but was rescheduled due to inclement weather.

We invite you to join the Alderman at this event to celebrate the opening of the fountain.

Chicago Spring Half Marathon

Sunday, May 18th

The Chicago Spring Half Marathon kicks off on Sunday, May 18 at 7:00am at the corner of Columbus and Jackson in Grant Park. The 10K race will start at 7:45 at the same location. Both races run along the Lakefront Trail, but the Trail will remain open to the public during the race. The half marathon course map can be found here.

The following streets will be closed until the conclusion of the race:

All lanes of Monroe Street from Lake Shore Drive to Columbus (3am-6pm)
Columbus northbound lane from Randolph to Monroe (3am-noon)
Columbus southbound lane from Randolph to Monroe (3am-9am)
All lanes Columbus Dr from Monroe to Jackson (3am-9am)
All lanes Columbus Dr from Jackson to Roosevelt (6am-9am)
Both exit ramps from Lake Shore Drive to Randolph (6:30am-noon)
Eastbound lane of intermediate Randolph from Lake Shore Drive to Columbus (6:30am-noon)

Proposed Landmark Designation:

161 East Erie Street

As reported in Reilly Reports on September 27, 2024, 161 East Erie Street is under consideration for Chicago Landmark status.

On October 3, 2024, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks approved a preliminary landmark recommendation for the building and requested owner consent. The owner did not consent, so a public hearing is now required before the Commission can issue a final recommendation. The Commission on Chicago Landmarks will hold this public hearing at City Hall on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Those wishing to participate in the hearing or view the livestream can click here for instructions. Click here to review the Landmark Designation Process.

Clark Street Extended Outdoor Dining Returned May 1 with Safety Improvements

Alderman Reilly is pleased to announce the return of the Clark Street Extended Outdoor Dining (EOD) program, running from May 1 through October 31, 2025. Restaurants along Clark Street between Grand Avenue and Kinzie Street will again be permitted to build dining platforms in the curb lanes, while keeping all lanes of traffic open.

While Alderman Reilly continues to support the full street closure model used in previous years, this modified format—first introduced in 2024—proved effective in supporting local businesses while maintaining traffic flow, and will be repeated this season. Based on feedback from last year, the 2025 program includes key improvements. Most notably, concrete jersey barriers will be installed to close gaps between platforms, improving safety and reducing traffic congestion. CDOT has committed to increase enforcement to ensure the program runs smoothly this season.

CAPS Meetings

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

Beat 1824 CAPS meeting will be held on May 15th at 6pm at 1201 N Clark St
Beat 1831 CAPS meeting will be held on May 20th at 5pm at 510 N LaSalle Dr
Beat 1832 CAPS meeting will be held on May 20th at 6pm at 510 N LaSalle Dr
Beat 1833 CAPS meeting will be held on May 22nd at 5pm at 303 E Superior St
Beat 1834 CAPS meeting will be held on May 22nd at 6pm at 303 E Superior St

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

Beat 121 CAPS meeting will be held on May 14th at 3pm via Zoom

For Zoom links and other updates, please email CAPS.001District@chicagopolice.org.

Request for Feedback:

Chicago Moves Electric Framework

CDOT has officially released the Chicago Moves Electric Framework Plan. This is the City’s first comprehensive strategy to expand electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, support e-mobility services, and reduce transportation-related emissions. This plan represents a major step toward a cleaner, more equitable transportation future for all Chicagoans.

The Framework is a living document, and CDOT is inviting the community to respond with comments and feedback by May 18, 2025. Community input will help ensure that the plan effectively serves our communities and advances our shared goals.

You can submit feedback here: chicago.gov/Ch i cagoMovesElectric

Fourth Presbyterian Church: Older Adults Month

In celebration of Older Adults Month and marking the 60th anniversary of Fourth Presbyterian Church's Center for Life and Learning providing community and enrichment for older adults in our downtown neighborhoods, all are invited to Encore on Saturday, May 10. Held at Fourth Church (126 E. Chestnut) from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., there will be a performance by cabaret singers, an art exhibit opening, and a time of refreshments. Tickets are available at https://fourthchurch.org/cll/

42nd Ward Traffic Closures & Construction Projects

Filming:

363 W Erie St

On Monday, 5/12, a photoshoot produced by Rise Creative Studios will be filming interior scenes at Partners By Design (363 W Erie St). During filming, prep, and wrap, parking will be prohibited at the following location on Monday, 5/12 from 5:00am to 9:00pm:

South side of W Erie St from Sedgwick St to Franklin St

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Liz Amdahl (Location Manager) at 505-787-3076.

Kinzie & Kingsbury

On May 15th, Pops Puffs & Pebbles LLC will be filming scenes for "Dutch & Knuckles" near Kinzie & Kingsbury. Drones will be filming aerial scenes. Each section of filming is expected to be completed within an hour. Parking will NOT be prohibited. However, there will be intermittent traffic control during the following dates/times:

Thursday, May 15^th from 8PM-11PM:
Kinzie from Clinton to Lower Orleans
Canal from Fulton to Kiznie
Hubbard from Orleans to Kinsbury
Thursday, May 15^th from 8PM-11:59PM:
Kinzie from Canal to Wells
Kingsbury from Hubbard to Kinzie
Lower Orleans from Hubbard to Kinzie
Orleans from Wacker to Hubbard
Franklin from Kinzie to Hubbard

If you have additional questions regarding this or other filming in Chicago, please contact the City of Chicago Film Office at 312-744-6415.

Events:

Girls on the Run

The Girls on the Run Chicago 5K will take place at 8am in Grant Park on Saturday, May 10. The race grounds open at 6am, and the event is scheduled to end around 11am. Click here to view the course map.

The following curb lanes will be closed for event bus parking from 5am-12pm on 5/10:

East side of Columbus Dr from Roosevelt Rd to Balbo Dr
West side of Columbus Dr from Roosevelt Rd to 573 S Columbus Dr
Both sides of Balbo Dr from Lake Shore Drive to Michigan Ave

American Heart Association CycleNation Chicago

The AHA will be hosting its annual CycleNation stationary bike event in Daley Plaza on Wednesday, May 14th. The event begins at 5pm. Parking on the east side of N Clark St from Randolph St to Washington St will be prohibited from 4am-11pm on 5/14.

Over The Edge - theWit

On Saturday, May 17th, theWit Hotel will host an event for Over the Edge, an amusement company that allows amateur climbers to repel down buildings in urban settings. Participants will be repelling down the west side of theWit Hotel to the ground on State Street. Trained professionals will be on site to aid participants in their experience down the building. The event is weather permitting.

A small portion of the sidewalk near the entrance of theWit Hotel (201 N State) will be closed from 8:00am to 4:30pm on 5/17.

Casino Caisson Pours: March 18 - May 18

Total duration of caissons and piles is approximately 8 weeks (approximately mid-May)
Start date of caissons: Permits are expected to be issued by March 14
Casino and Hotel caissons – A total of 356
Casino Piles – A total of 202

Work hours will continue to be 8am-8pm. However, if an issue arises during a pour, there is the potential that crews will work past 8pm. Once a caisson pour begins, it can't stop until it is finished.

Emergency Sewer Repair: 40-50 W Kinzie St

On Monday, May 26, the Department of Water Management will be conducting an emergency repair on the sewer system from 40-50 W Kinzie St. During the work, there will be a full closure of westbound Kinzie St between Clark and Dearborn from May 26 at 7am to May 30 at 3:30pm. Westbound traffic will be rerouted north on Dearborn St, west on Hubbard St, and south on Clark St to avoid the repair work. Eastbound traffic on Kinzie will be unaffected.

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

On Monday, April 28, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) began emergency structural repairs to the State Street Bridge. Throughout the project, the bridge will be 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. Please see the flyer below for more information.

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 has begun removal of the old light poles and continues to restore infrastructure trenching.

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.

This project is expected to be completed at the end of June 2025. Asphalt restoration will occur in July 2025.

Bally's Casino Temporarily Halts Construction

Last week, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) issued an order to temporarily halt work on the Bally's Casino construction site due to Bally's use of an undisclosed and unapproved vendor. Bally's has stated they will work to ensure this does not happen again and are committed to continuing construction on the site as soon as the IGB allows. Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for updates on the Casino's construction.