For the November 3 General Election, Chicago voters may use any Early Voting location in the city to cast their ballot. Starting October 1, voters can cast their ballots at the Loop Super Site and then on October 14 at any of the 50 Ward early voting sites.

Every voter is encouraged to wear a face mask that covers the mouth and nose, whether visiting to use in-person Early Voting or to use a Secured Drop Box. Voters in line must practice social distancing with 6 feet (2 meters) of space between persons in line.

Any ballots that voters cast in Early Voting are final. After casting ballots in Early Voting, voters may not return to amend, change or undo a ballot for any reason. It is a felony to vote more than once — or to attempt to vote more than once — in the same election.

Government-issued photo ID is not required but is helpful if there is a question about the voter’s registration, address, signature or if there are two voters at the same address with the same names or similar names.

Registration services are available at every Early Voting site. Two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter’s current address, are needed to register for the first time or to file a name change or an address update.

Below is a list of the hours and locations of early voting sites in or near the 42nd Ward. For the full list of locations around the City, please click here.

October 1 – October 13
Loop Super Site (Clark & Lake – 191 N. Clark St.)

Maggie Daley Park (337 E. Randolph St.)

Ogden Elementary School (24 W. Walton St.)

Ballot mailings began September 24. No reason or excuse is needed to Vote By Mail.

The Board of Elections recommends voters request a Vote By Mail ballot no later than October 15 to make certain that they have enough time to receive and return the ballot on or before Election Day on November 3. The absolute deadline to apply is 5:00pm on October 29, but applying that late gives the voter very little time to receive and return the ballot by Election Day five days later.

You must use the Ballot Return Envelope with your name on it, which will be mailed with the ballot and voting instructions.

New this year, there will be secured Drop Boxes will be available at every Early Voting site for any Chicago Vote By Mail voter to submit the signed and sealed Ballot Return Envelope. Voters still have the option of using standard US Mail to return the Ballot Return Envelope.

Ballots can be dropped off at any of the locations listed above and there will be a 24 hour drop box located at 69 W. Washington St. The 24 hour location will remain open through Election Day at 7:00pm.

For answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please click here. For more information about voting this November, please visit the Chicago Board of Elections website.

The City of Chicago began the autumn bridge lifts on Wednesday, September 22. Bridges along the main and south branches of the Chicago River will be lifted sequentially on a twice weekly schedule, Saturdays and Wednesdays, to allow sailboats and other recreational boats to make their annual trip from the open waters of Lake Michigan to their winter storage facilities. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) oversees these bridge lifts each year, in the spring and fall seasons.

A total of 27 bridges will be lifted in succession from Lake Shore Drive to Ashland Avenue Bridge on the south branch of the Chicago River. In the event that no boat owners have made arrangements to move their boats on a scheduled day, the bridges will not be lifted.

During these “boat runs,” the bridges are typically raised one at a time, with each bridge lift taking an average of 8-12 minutes. While the bridge is in the upright position, traffic is halted, and drivers may use alternate streets or wait until the bridge is lowered. A list of affected streets, from Lake Shore Drive to the end of the South Branch is below.

Lake Shore Drive, Columbus Dr., Michigan Ave., Wabash Ave., State St., Dearborn St., Clark St., La Salle St., Wells St., Franklin St., Lake St., Randolph St., Washington St., Madison St., Monroe St., Adams St., Jackson Blvd., Van Buren St., Congress Pkwy., Harrison St., Roosevelt Rd., 18th St., Canal St., Cermak Ave., Halsted St., Loomis Ave., and Ashland Ave.

Due to ongoing work happening on Lake Shore Drive, the bridge lift may have longer than usual delays. CDOT is urging motorists planning to drive on Lake Shore Drive around 9:00 am on Saturdays and 9:30 am on Wednesdays to re-route in order to avoid delays, as the bridge closure could last 45 minutes or longer.

Fall 2020 Bridge Lift Schedule

• Saturday, Sept. 26 at 9 a.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday Oct. 3 at 9 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 10 at 9 a.m
• Wednesday, Oct.14 at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 17 at 9 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 24 at 9 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31 at 9 a.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 7 at 9 a.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 14 at 9 a.m.

Information from the census shapes our communities and influences our city’s voice in Congress. The census tells us who we are as a nation and what we need. Data collection has been extended through October to ensure a complete count. 

The data are used to determine what resources our communities need. Funds are provided to state and local governments who then use that money to fund crucial programs and infrastructure like healthcare, housing, education, and transportation.

An accurate census ensures equal political representation and fair allocation of government resources. Census data are used to determine how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives, and to redraw the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts. Census data are also used at the local level: the City of Chicago relies on population counts to make important decisions about local policies and funding. 

Participation in the census is the right and responsibility of every Chicago resident. As of today, only 57.7% of 42nd Ward residents have completed the Census – well below the City’s target of 75% participation.

 How Can You Help? 

Please complete your Census and remind your neighbors – residents can complete the survey online, via telephone, or via mail.

Census enumerators are currently visiting residential buildings to contact residents who have not yet filled out the Census via the above methods. We kindly ask that property managers consider ways that your building can assist Census enumerators to complete their important work of an accurate count – whether it is by providing the enumerator with a list of vacant units, or allowing the enumerator access to a common area in the building to assist residents with completing their Census, or another method to put the enumerator in contact with residents who may need additional help completing the survey.

For additional ways to get involved, please click here. Remember, for every additional person counted in Chicago, we stand to gain approximately $1,400 that could be used towards parks, schools, and infrastructure!

Volunteer to Pitch in for Ward Park!

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

Over the past few months, park budgets have been stretched and there are fewer seasonal employees.  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, October 17th from 9:00 am – 11:00 am and help us “Pitch in for the Parks.”

Protective gloves, trash bags and tools will be provided.  Volunteers will work in groups of ten or less and physical distancing guidelines will be enforced.  Face masks/coverings must be worn at all times.  Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  Registration is required.

Can we count on you to “Pitch in for the Parks?”

Registration cannot be accepted until review of the Volunteer Safety Guidelines and completion of the Participant Release Waiver Form.

To print a copy, CLICK HERE.

The Restorative Care Institute (“RCI”) plans to develop a Class A, post-acute rehabilitation center with advanced infection controls at 50 East Huron (previously occupied by the American Library Association “ALA”).

The existing ALA building is a vacant, five-story, brick structure fronting Huron Street. Surrounded by retail, hospitals, surgical centers and a large, residential high-rise population, the site is well-located to capture the demand of this programming, unique to Chicago.

The proposal involves deconstruction of the existing building: re-use of the structural steel, a three-story addition and re-cladding in glass and white steel with some exterior expression of the bracing.

Although doctors and nurses will be on-site, this is not a hospital. RCI is a class A, rehab and recovery center with advanced infection controls to protect post-surgical patients during recovery. The building’s environmental systems will include the highest infection prevention standards, unlike anything in Chicago: negative pressure rooms, HEPA filtration, ultraviolet germicidal particle elimination, voice-activated elevators, state-of-the-art safety systems and staffing protocols designed around healthcare related infection prevention throughout the entire interior.

Furthermore, patients arrive and depart via pedestrian vehicles, not in ambulances. The building will contain indoor parking located in the basement (below-grade) for staff and some visitor parking. All loading will occur off-street in the existing alley.

The project development team will be required to present their plans for approval to the Chicago Plan Commission, Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards and City Council to gain approval for this proposed amendment to Residential Business Planned Development No. 173. The use and required FAR are already in place; the sole purpose of the amendment is to clarify the language in the use provision statement to include the words “skilled nursing” as “medical use” is already included. RCI hopes to open by August 2022, with a project schedule of approximately 12 months.

As part of Alderman Reilly’s transparent community process for new developments, your comments and observations are welcome for this project. Please forward any feedback to development@ward42chicago.com.

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 8/28/2020

Nineteen years ago today, we remember the 2,977 men, women, and children that died in terrorist attacks against our nation. Dedicated first responders and brave citizens put their lives on the line to save the thousands of others who were injured in the attacks in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

This morning, Alderman Reilly joined the brave men and women of the Chicago Fire Department, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and other City officials for a moment of silence. All U.S. flags will remain at half-staff in Chicago for Patriot Day, in remembrance of the lives we lost.

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 9/11/2020

Alderman Reilly is hosting a Blood Drive on Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will be held at 455 North McClurg Court.

The Alderman’s goal is to collect 30 pints of blood at the event. All of the donations will go to local hospitals to help Chicagoans in need. Although walk-ins are welcome, we encourage you setup an appointment by calling 1-800-7TO-GIVE (1-800-786-4483).

A representative from Alderman Reilly’s Office will be present to address concerns or questions regarding city-related matters.

Stop by and have a cup of coffee with your Beat Officers.    In light of COVID-19, masks are required and physical distancing will be practiced.

We will be meeting “outside” at the Merchandise Mart in the new deck area on the South side of the building (facing the river)

We look forward to seeing you there!

WHEN:  September 1st: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m

WHERE:  Merchandise Mart – 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza