On Thursday, September 9, Alderman Reilly joined Anna Davlantes on WGN Radio to discuss the Chicago Police Department (CPD) increasing police presence in River North’s hospitality corridors, during the overnight hours. Please click here to listen to the interview.

Alderman Reilly was very pleased to see a visible increase in police foot and bike patrols throughout River North last weekend. CPD also reported that since September 1, 18th District officers made 10 arrests, recovered 5 illegal firearms, towed 76 vehicles, and completed 22 Investigatory Stop Reports in River North’s entertainment district.

Commander Hein has assured Alderman Reilly that this level of response will be the “new normal” until crime in River North is under control. The Alderman appreciates CPD’s hard work and is hopeful the sustained effort will make an immediate and significant impact to cure the area of criminal activity.

Additionally, Alderman Reilly is committed to leveraging all available City resources to enhance public safety. Mayor Lori Lightfoot will present her 2022 Budget Recommendations to the City Council on Friday, September 17. Alderman Reilly is eager to review the CPD budget, specifically the amount of money allocated to hiring new officers. He will be advocating that CPD hire hundreds of new officers to off-set the recent attrition of officers CPD has experienced.

Furthermore, it is no secret that morale among police officers is at an all-time low. Between mandatory over-time, cancelling days off, and reassigning officers to unfamiliar districts, their efforts are often not properly recognized. Alderman Reilly encourages residents to attend your local CAPS meeting to stay up to date on crime and safety issues, as well as develop a relationship with the beat cops who patrol their neighborhood – attend, and thank your local cops for their unwavering commitment to serve and protect.

A message from RNRA:  We encourage all residents to attend their CAPS Beat Meetings.

To find your District and Beat, CLICK HERE.

To find the date/time for your Beat Meeting and the Zoom link, CLICK HERE.

When: Tuesday, September 21, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CDT
Where: this is an online event. Registration required. See link below to register

Dear Neighbor,

The RNRA shares the concerns of residents, businesses and visitors about recent incidents of crime in our community.

The RNRA and 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly are co-hosting a virtual webinar with the Chicago Police Department’s new 18th District Commander, Jon Hein, to address public safety matters.

Alderman Reilly will deliver introductory remarks and introduce Commander Hein, who will discuss recent criminal activity in the area and CPD strategies to improve public safety. He will also respond to questions submitted in advance by the public.

Registration is required. You may also submit a question for Commander Hein along with your registration, if you register on or before September 15, 2021.

Once registered, you will receive an email confirmation with details on how to log in to the online event. Please click on the link below to register.

I can’t make it

We look forward to welcoming you to the virtual Public Safety Webinar on Tuesday, September 21 at 4:00 PM.

Sincerely,

Mike Riordan
President

Mickie Gordon
Executive Director

River North Residents Association
info@rnrachicago.org
(312) 890-0273

Source: Reilly Reports 9/3/2021

Dear neighbors:

On Wednesday, September 2, I joined Steve Bertrand on WGN Radio to discuss the increase in violent crime in the Downtown neighborhoods, and the need for immediate action to curb this behavior. Please click here to listen to the interview.

The recent shooting incidents, fighting and robberies that have occurred this week are extremely concerning; the violence in the Central Business District has gotten out of hand.

On Monday, August 30, I asked Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Superintendent David Brown to take immediate action to increase police patrols in the Downtown neighborhoods, and assign permanent officers to the hospitality corridors to cure the dramatic spike in violent crime. Please click here to read the communication I sent to Mayor Lightfoot and Superintendent Brown.

Additionally, earlier this week I sent a memo to Superintendent Brown as a reminder of my previous requests for increased enforcement at known “drug and gang hotspots” throughout my Ward. State Street north of the Chicago River has been on that list for many years, and it is frustrating that this stretch continues to go unprotected. I have requested an immediate response to provide dedicated foot patrols until the immediate threat of public safety is abated and the “hotspot” areas are cured of criminal activity. Click here to read the memo I sent to Superintendent Brown.

Although I am a strong and vocal supporter of the Chicago Police Department and its officers, I am disappointed with the recent attrition of officers and the direction of current policing strategies, such as eliminating foot pursuits. A recent edition of Reilly Reports describes my position and plans to urge a top-down reevaluation of public safety policies; click here to read that edition of Reilly Reports.

Furthermore, although I don’t have the authority to direct CPD, I am committed to leveraging all available City resources to enhance public safety. I have allocated significant portions of my Aldermanic Menu to fund the installation of Police Observation Cameras and License Plate Readers, which assist CPD detectives in catching criminals. Additionally, I use my legislative powers to provide CPD with more tools to address crime and safety issues.

My hope is that Mayor Lightfoot and Superintendent Brown will increase police patrols in the Downtown neighborhoods, and assign permanent officers to the hospitality corridors. Please stay tuned to Reilly Reports for future updates.

Sincerely,

Brendan Reilly
President Pro Tempore
Alderman, 42nd Ward

September – National Preparedness Month (NPM)

September 25:  National See Something, Say Something Day 

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging residents to participate in National Preparedness Month throughout the month of September. National Preparedness Month (NPM) is observed each year to promote family and community disaster planning year-round. As we prepare to protect everyone we love in advance of possible disasters, OEMC is introducing the Safe Chicago public safety program, installing life-saving kits in City of Chicago properties to be there when needed for active shooter incidents, workplace accidents and other emergency situations requiring immediate medical attention before first responders arrive.

“OEMC takes steps every day to plan and keep Chicago residents and visitors safe. During National Preparedness Month we are introducing Safe Chicago to provide Bleeding Control Kits to be utilized in an emergency to help save lives throughout the City,” said Rich Guidice, Executive Director (OEMC). “We also want to encourage everyone to recognize that disasters and emergencies can happen at any time and being prepared can be the difference between life and death.”

Safe Chicago
Safe Chicago is a new public safety program launched by OEMC in partnership with the Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Police Department and Assets and Information Services (AIS). This new program will provide Bleeding Control Kits at occupied, City-owned or leased facilities. OEMC and AIS have already begun installing 426 wall mounted Bleeding Control Kits in 269 City of Chicago buildings, which includes: City Hall, Chicago Public Library locations, Chicago Cultural Center, DFSS Senior Centers, CDPH Medical Clinics and other locations. Each kit can treat up to 8 victims and is equipped with a tourniquet, gauze, shears, gloves and an instruction manual to be used in an emergency before first responders arrive.  Life threatening bleeding emergencies can be the result of falls, penetrating injuries, gunshot wounds and more. Knowing how to control bleeding from a serious injury will keep you and those around you safe.

Prepare to Protect 
The 2021 National Preparedness Month theme is “Prepare to Protect: Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” Each week OEMC will offer an activity all residents can perform on their own or with family and friends. This also includes the National See Something, Say Something Day on September 25.  Emergency preparedness information, tips and helpful links are available on OEMC’s website at Chicago.gov/OEMC

• September 1-4: Make A Plan: Know how to prepare for disasters that include how you will communicate with family and friends during disasters, reviewing insurance papers, and much more. Include learning to stop the bleed, CPR and other life-saving techniques in your plan in advance of a crisis.
• September 5-11: Build A Kit: You’ll need items to survive during a disaster that includes supplies you may need at home as well as a go kit of items you may need if you must evacuate quickly to a safer location.
• September 12-18: Prepare for Disasters: Find out the best way to limit the impacts a disaster may have, like having the right insurance coverage or what can you do to your home to make it stronger and more resilient.
• September 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness: Take the time now and talk with your children to reassure them, especially in this pandemic time. Teach them lessons on preparedness. Make family preparedness a fun annual event.
• September 1-30: Sign-up for Smart911. Create a profile for you and your family which will give 9-1-1 information to help in an emergency – www.Smart911.com
• September 25: National See Something, Say Something Day

[Read more…]

Register Today:  CLICK HERE

NAMI Chicago’s Crisis Intervention & De-escalation Techniques webinar will teach participants how to recognize when someone is in crisis and how to use verbal de-escalation techniques. CIT and other emergency resources will be discussed, including how to utilize their Helpline in crisis situations.

To print a copy of this flyer, CLICK HERE.

Click HERE to print a copy.

To find out more and register, CLICK HERE.

To print a copy, click HERE.

SummerDance EBLAST Aug 2021

Beginning on Monday, August 30, Power Construction will begin the removal process of the tower crane that was used throughout the construction project at One Chicago.

During that time, State Street will be closed between Superior Street and Chicago Avenue. Adverse weather conditions could extend this time frame.

Power Construction has committed to no truck staging on Superior Street during this time and will have personnel there for enforcement.

Please feel free to reach to the 2nd Ward office for any additional updates by emailing Ward02@cityofchicago.org or by calling (312) 643-2299.

This summer, the Chicago Parks Foundation, in partnership with the Chicago Park District and local communities, is once again leading a citywide volunteer initiative to help keep our parks clean.

If we provide the volunteers, the Chicago Parks Foundation will provide clean-up supplies and safety guidelines to help support our park’s ongoing maintenance.

Join the RNRA in Ward Park on Saturday, August 28th, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and help us “Pitch in for the Parks.”

Protective gloves, trash bags and tools will be provided. The Chicago Park District encourages everyone to follow the recommendations of public health officials from the Chicago Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and continue to wear a face covering in crowded outdoor settings or in instances where social distancing cannot be maintained.

Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
Registration is required.

Can we count on you to “Pitch in for Ward Park?”

Click here to register.