On Saturday, November 8, River North neighbors can make an immediate difference in our community by volunteering your time and efforts to take part in Chicago’s citywide Clean & Green Day of Service.

This fall, Chicagoans can join a two-decade long tradition of teaming up with community groups and the City of Chicago to help beautify your communities by cleaning up and recycling fall leaves and other yard debris. All you have to do is team up and sign up to clean a neighborhood location near you.

By cleaning up leaves and other debris, you can help keep storm drains and curb lanes clear before snowfall this winter to benefit your whole community. The City will work with you and your community team to provide you with all the bags, rakes, shovels and brooms you will need to get the job done.

Join in on November 8 and help make a big difference in your neighborhood! To register or for more information, call 3-1-1. The registration deadline is Friday, October 31, 2014.

The Chicago Department of Public Health has also collaborated with Aldermanic offices and various community partners to host Immunization events where residents can get their flu shot. Residents can attend any of the walk-in clinic events and should bring their Medicare or insurance card if they have one.

42nd Ward Flu Shot Clinic

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

12:00pm – 3:00pm

First United Methodist Church at Chicago Temple

77 W. Washington Street

In addition to vaccinations, everyone can take the following basic precautions to avoid the flu:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Teach children the same healthy habits.
• Make an extra effort to clean commonly-touched surfaces, such as countertops, tables, doorknobs, telephones and TV/stereo remote controls.
• Do not share anything that goes in the mouth, such as drinking cups and straws.
• Eat more whole grains, vegetables and fruit, get enough rest and stay physically fit to help the body fight off disease.
• If you have the flu or any cold, do not infect others. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, and promptly discard used facial tissues. If you are ill, stay home from work or school until you recover.

To get vaccinated, talk to your doctor or call a pharmacy. If you do not have a doctor, call 311 to locate one CDPH’s Fast Track Immunization Clinics. You can also use the Flu Clinic Finder to locate a place nearby.

River North residents don’t forget to participate in the General Election tomorrow – Tuesday, November 4th, 2014.

On Tuesday, November 4th voters will cast ballots for the following offices:

• United States Senator
• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General
• Secretary of State
• Comptroller
• Treasurer
• Representative in Congress (one in each District)
• Three (3) Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
• President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
• County Clerk of Cook County
• Treasurer of Cook County
• Sheriff of Cook County
• Assessor of Cook County
• Cook County Commissioner (one in each District)
• Commissioner of the Cook County Board of (Tax) Review (only in District 3)
• Appellate, Circuit and Sub-circuit Judges (to fill vacancies as needed)
• Whether to retain various Appellate and Circuit Judges (yes or no)

At the November 4, 2014 General Election, Chicago voters will also DECIDE various referenda on:

• Whether to amend the Illinois Constitution to protect victims’ rights (binding)
• Whether to amend the Illinois Constitution to protect the right to vote (binding)
• Whether to increase the minimum wage to $10 per hour (advisory)
• Whether to impose a tax on incomes of $1 million or more to benefit education funding (advisory)
• Whether to require all health-insurance policies to cover birth control and contraception (advisory)

Vote on Election Day!

This election, all polling locations will be open between 6:00 am and 7:00 pm. Polling stations will promptly close at 7:00 pm; however, voters still in line to cast their ballots at 7:00pm will be allowed to vote. To check on the status of your registration, please click here and enter your address and last name.

Election Day Registration Offered!

Chicago voters who are not yet registered or who need to update their registration records may do so, and cast a ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, between 6:00am – 7:00pm, at any of five Chicago locations, including:

• Board of Elections  –
  69 W. Washington Street, Lower Level Conference Room

How to Locate Your Polling Place

You can locate your polling place by entering your home address into the Chicago Board of Elections Jurisdiction Search.

Complete information for voters is available on the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website, www.chicagoelections.com. The website allows you to check your voter registration status, find your polling place and view a sample ballot.

Alderman Reilly is excited to announce the official opening of River North’s new and improved dog park at A. Montgomery Ward Park, located at 630 N. Kingsbury Street.

Construction of the new dog park began in June of this year, after Alderman Reilly secured funding for the project with Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

This dog-friendly area (DFA) has already been a hidden gem of the River North neighborhood, offering residents and visitors an open space where dogs can play and interact, leash-free, in a fenced-off open space. Improvements include a new entry and fencing, dog-friendly running surfaces, and a drinking fountain (complete with a water source at dog-level).  Humans can enjoy new benches and ADA accessibility.  The A. Montgomery Ward Park now has one of the best dog parks in the entire city!

Alderman Reilly looks forward to enjoying the new dog park with residents of the 42nd Ward at the Official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Please join Alderman Reilly, Max and Buster (the Alderdogs of the 42nd Ward) in celebrating the opening of the dog park:

Saturday, September 13, 2014, 11:00am

A. Montgomery Ward Dog Park

630 N. Kingsbury Street

Chicago, IL 60654

Please note the new Dog Friendly Area (DFA) is located off Erie Street. A. Montgomery Ward Park which along the river and includes the children’s playground prohibits dogs at any time. Please be considerate, thank you!

Filming Notification on Kingsbury with Simulated Building Fire

Date and Time: Wednesday, September 3rd, NBC’s Chicago Fire will be filming a scene that includes simulating a fire in the building located at 678 N. Kingsbury. The production company is working closely with the Chicago Fire Department and the neighbors to ensure the shoot is done in a safe manner.

Location and Traffic Impact: Huron (between Kingsbury to Larrabee) will have a full closure. Kingsbury (between Superior and Erie) will also experience intermittent road closures.

The following streets will have a “No Parking / Tow Zone” from 3 am to 9 pm: Both sides of Kingsbury (from Superior to Erie), North side of Erie (from Kingsbury to 400 W. Erie), West side of Sedgwick (from Huron to Superior)