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: 

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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

Image Courtesy of marinacity.org

Obituary from the Chicago Tribun

RNRA wishes to express our condolences to the family of honoroable Burton F. Natarus.

Obituary from the Chicago Tribune

Honorable Burton F. Natarus, age 86, of Chicago. Burt was a respected alderman, attorney and one of the longest-serving Democratic Alderman in Chicago history, serving from 1971 – 2008. Having won 9 elections for public office, Burt was widely recognized as a colorful alderman, who thought of himself as the “Janitor of the Ward”. He worked tirelessly to ensure every resident of the 42nd ward was represented. He was also known in City Council as an expert in parliamentary procedures, and as the ‘master of the ordinance’ for crafting much of the legislation that was passed in council during his aldermanic tenure. Burt was known for his flamboyant speeches and often made fun of himself. A resident of Chicago’s Near North Side since 1960, Burt was born and raised in Wausau, Wisconsin. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin Law School. A graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, he later taught at Chicago’s Loyola University on the subject of local government. He served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserves, earning paratrooper’s “jump wings”. Burt was a true lover of the Chicago Bears, an avid reader and enjoyed rafting many rivers out west. Burt is survived by his son, Michael, daughter, Jill and grandchildren, Jacob and Jenna. Graveside service will be private. Contributions may be made to The Anti-Cruelty Society, www.anticruelty.org – select “donate on behalf”.

During this busy and eventful time, it has been easy to forget Chicago is still actively fighting against the spread of coronavirus. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the City of Chicago has been committed to basing decisions to reopen on the science and data related to this disease and communicating actions to the public in an open and transparent way.

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has published updated data and figures relating to COVID-19 in Chicago. My office has compiled the latest information.

CLICK HERE to see the full Reilly Report of 6/11/2020.

The Chicago Public Library has launched “Live From the Library: A Daily Story Time for Kids of Chicago.” This program will feature librarians and Chicago notables reading their favorite children’s books. Join story time weekdays at 10:00 am on Facebook Live.

June 5, 2020 Newsletters

Ward 42 – Alderman Reilly

Ward 27 – Alderman Burnett

Ward 02 – Alderman Hopkins

To see all of their newsletters during the Covid-19 Pandemic, CLICK HERE.

(AP Photo/Russel A. Daniels)

Alderman Reilly joined Mayor Lightfoot and other city officials this weekend to discuss the events that occurred during the nighttime hours (Alderman Reilly’s comments begin at 41:30). Alderman Reilly also joined Pete McMurray on WGN Radio to discuss the events of this past weekend.

The City of Chicago under Mayor Lightfoot and Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Allison Arwady have issued a curfew for all residents and visitors, effective from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily, until further notice.  

The curfew is enforceable by law and restricts people from remaining in any public place – including, but not limited to, streets and highways, and common areas of schools, hospitals, office buildings and shops; or on the premises of any establishment – defined as any privately owned business operated for a profit to which the public is invited, within the City of Chicago during curfew hours. The curfew excludes persons engaged in essential activities as defined in the Municipal Code, Order 2020-3 (listed here under Section 2.5).

The Chicago Police Department will enforce the curfew through measures including warnings, fines and/or arrests. In addition, a small contingent of the National Guard will be deployed to maintain a limited presence and support Chicago police in order to ensure there will not be a repeat of Saturday night.

Alderman Reilly strongly encourages private homes and residential buildings to lock their exterior doors and to not allow visitors. Please return home by 9:00 p.m. after performing essential activities.

If you see something, say something. Report suspicious behavior and activity, and call 911 if there is an emergency or immediate threat. If the situation is not an emergency, you can also submit tips to CPD online.

Get alerts from Notify Chicago on various emergency and non-emergency situations in your area.

To See Alderman Reilly’s full report of 6-1-2020, CLICK HERE.

To see Newsletters from ALL River North Aldermen, CLICK HERE.