Alderman Reilly Reports

July 7, 2020

Dear Neighbor:

I am happy to report that Concrete Cowboy, located at 646 North Franklin Street, has surrendered their business and liquor licenses and is permanently closed.

Concrete Cowboy opened in 2016 after buying the active liquor and late hour licenses from the former operator. Not long after they opened, my office started receiving regular complaints about Concrete Cowboy causing disturbances and operating as a nightclub.

Complaints focused on increased traffic congestion and honking; motorcycle noise; refuse, vomit and urine on the public way; and patrons fighting and making excessive noise outside. As a resident of this block, I witnessed many such incidents first-hand.

I met with the Liquor Commissioner, the Police Department’s 18th District and the Department of Business Affairs (DBACP) to share video footage provided to my office. The footage was clear evidence of the unacceptable mismanagement of the Concrete Cowboy frontage and the significant safety risks caused by the business.

The City Law Department filed a public nuisance case against Concrete Cowboy, which included 50 charges relating to public nuisance.

On June 30, 2020, the City Hearing Officer overseeing the disciplinary case recommended “License Revocation” as a result of the serious charges.

I am pleased to report that, in response to this action, Concrete Cowboy chose to voluntarily surrender their business licenses, effective July 2, 2020. The Business is now closed and there should be no further activity at that location.

It is also important to note that, because I placed a liquor license moratorium on this block, no new Tavern or Late Hour liquor licenses can be approved at this location.

I am grateful to the Department of Business Affairs, the Chicago Law Department and River North neighbors for their efforts that resulted in shutting down Concrete Cowboy.

Sincerely,

Brendan Reilly
President Pro Tempore
Alderman, 42nd Ward

Our sincere thanks to our members, neighbors and friends who registered for our first-ever River North Residents Association Virtual Town Hall Meeting on July 1, 2020. We appreciate those who took the time to submit thoughtful questions in advance.  Thanks, also, to our special guest presenters; 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly and 18th District CPD Sergeant Chris Schenk.

As promised, a recording of the webinar has been prepared for those who were unable to attend. You can access the recording by clicking here.

Some important reminders…

* Make a difference in River North. Bring your talents and a little time to our volunteer ranks  Connect with us here.
* Support businesses that support our mission to advocate for quality of life issues throughout River North and beyond. Connect with them here.
* Download our FREE  My River North mobile app. It provides convenient access to River North news, events and resources, plus special deals at a variety of local businesses  You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
* Sign up for our RNRA newsletters, email blasts and alerts here.

We look forward to the time when we can all gather together safely for community events like this, but until then, we will leverage technology to help keep the conversation going.

We value your support.

River North Residents Association

To print a copy, CLICK HERE.

Current events related to the COVID-19 virus can be stressful and confusing for families and communities. When adults are distressed, it can feel overwhelming to also consider how to help your children understand this evolving situation. The team at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago  at the Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR) would like to share some ideas for caregivers and other adults working with children that they believe can be helpful as we all cope with the changing information, recommendations and limitations to our normal routines and activities.  Click here for more information.

Also visit  Parent & Provider Resources which serves  as a tool for parents and providers of children and adolescents to learn more about families and trauma and access available resources. If you need immediate help, please call your health provider or Lurie Children’s at 1 800 543 7362.

Click here for resources specifically addressing the needs of marginalized populations.

June 16, 2020 

As communities and businesses are reopening in Chicago, you may be looking for ways to resume some daily activities as safely as possible. While there is no way to ensure zero risk of infection while in public, it is important to understand potential risks and different types of prevention measures you can take to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

In general, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. So, think about: 

To print a copy, CLICK HERE

PLEASE NOTE:

• PLAYGROUNDS WILL REMAIN CLOSED
• FACE COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED
• MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING

WHAT: A meeting to discuss a proposed Special Use for an Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary, at 60 W. Superior St.
WHO: PC AU 1, LLC (PharmaCann)
WHEN: Monday, June 29, 2020. 6:00 PM
WHERE: IN-PERSON: SOFITEL, 20 E. CHESTNUT STREET
ONLINE: Zoom.us/join   OR   Call 312-626-6799
Meeting ID:  936 0552 7955 Password: 171593
Dear Neighbor,

I was informed that PC AU 1, LLC (PharmaCann) and the River North Residents Association will co-host a community meeting on Monday, June 29, 2020, at 6:00 pm, to allow the community to review a proposal for an Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary at 60 W. Superior St.

All applicants for Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensaries are required to hold a community meeting for the purpose of explaining the proposal and soliciting community input.

If you wish to attend the meeting in-person, you must email your RSVP to Katriina McGuire (kmcguire@thompsoncoburn.com). The in-person meeting will conform to social distancing practices. If you wish to participate online, visit Zoom.us/join. When prompted, enter the Meeting ID [936 0552 7955] and password [171593].

You can also participate by calling (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting ID and assword listed above.

While I may offer an opinion on the proposed Special Use, the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) ultimately makes decisions on these types of applications and is under no obligation to comply with the position of a neighborhood organization or an Alderman. This proposal will not be on the June 26 ZBA agenda.

For more information, please contact the attorney for the Applicant, Katriina McGuire at 312-580-2326 (please leave a message), or via email at kmcguire@thompsoncoburn.com.

Sincerely,

Alderman Brian Hopkins
2nd Ward

Mayor Lightfoot, alongside several City departments including the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection(BACP), and the Chicago Park District, has announced that the reopening dates for bars and breweries will be on June 17th, and the opening of the Lakefront Trail will be on June 22nd.

Beginning Wednesday, June 17th, bars, lounges, taverns, breweries and other drinking establishments that sell alcohol for on-site consumption without a Retail Food License will be able to open for outdoor service only. Under the industry guidelines, drinking establishments may reopen under similar health and safety restrictions that restaurants have been following since June 3rd, including the same requirements for outdoor service only.

Patrons must be seated at tables that are six feet apart, with six people or fewer per table. Furthermore, seating at drinking establishments will be limited to a maximum of two hours. Finally, alcohol sales at bars and restaurants for on-site consumption must end at 11:00 pm each night, however the sale of alcohol for carryout or delivery must cease at 9:00 pm each night. The decision to further re-open was based on the continued positive trend in the data metrics monitored by CDPH over the past several weeks. June 17th was chosen as it is two weeks from the beginning of phase three and the incubation period for COVID-19 is thought to extend to 14 days.

Bars may reopen outdoor areas, including outdoor patios, rooftops, rooms with retractable roofs and indoor spaces where 50% or more of a wall can be removed via the opening of windows, doors, or panels provided that dining tables are within eight feet from such openings. Additionally, establishments with a Tavern License are eligible for an Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit through which they can expand into private property, including parking lots. Finally, bars and breweries may also participate in the City’s “Our Streets” plan to close streets for outdoor food and beverage service. Applications for street closure must be submitted by chambers, Special Service Area agencies, business service organizations or three or more restaurants.

Beginning Monday, June 22nd, the Lakefront Trail will open East of Lake Shore Drive from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm daily, however beaches and parks East of Lake Shore Drive will remain closed. The 18-mile Lakefront Trail will be open for exercise and transit only. No other recreational activities will be allowed. Chicagoans must abide by a “keep it moving” strategy where only walking, running, biking, and rollerblading will be allowed.

At this time, the Chicago Park District will not allow congregating, gathering or use of park amenities, which includes but is not limited to, stationary activities, fitness classes, barbecues, beaches, and picnicking. To monitor and control volume, only approximately half of the more than 50 access points (street, underpass, bridges) to the Lakefront will be open. Park Security will work in tandem with the Chicago Police Department and Office of Emergency Management and Communication to keep the trail safe under guidance from public health officials.

To encourage proper use, the Chicago Park District will install visible signage along the trail to educate and remind trail users of rules. In addition, Social Distancing Ambassadors will be stationed along the trail to educate the public and manage the flow of traffic. Ambassadors will actively engage park patrons providing guidance on appropriate social distancing, the importance of face coverings as well as other health and safety guidelines.  Chicago’s swimming pools and playgrounds will remain closed while public health officials advise the Chicago Park District on options to open them safely. There will also be no use of outdoor fitness equipment, basketball courts, tennis courts or athletic fields, and parking lots will remain closed for the time being. Due to the significant lakefront storm damage and high lake levels, three sections of the lakefront trail will merge to accommodate users. From Fullerton to North Avenue will be a shared trail. North Avenue to Ohio Street, trail users will be redirected to an on-street detour. From 43rd Street to 51st Street, users will merge onto one trail.

Additional signage and SDA resources will be implemented along both stretches to ensure social distancing. The Park District will notify users as construction projects are completed in those sections and normal trail use is restored. Chicago moved into phase three of its “Protecting Chicago” reopening framework on June 3rd, but the City is emphasizing that cautiously reopening still requires strict physical distancing even though it allows for some industries to reopen.

All residents must continue to abide by important guidance in phase three, including: physically distancing and wearing a face covering; limiting non-business, social gatherings to 10 or fewer persons; staying at home if you feel ill or have come into contact with someone with COVID-19; and getting tested if you have symptoms.

Source:  Alderman Hopkins 2nd Ward Newsletter 6/15/2020