Join Alderman Brian Hopkins and 2nd Ward Committeeman Tim Egan on Saturday, September 14th, at 1400 N Ashland Avenue for FREE document shredding and electronics recycling. The Cook County Sheriff’s Department will be on-site to collect and properly dispose of expired and unwanted prescription drugs.

Also, please bring any old bikes you do not need for a donation to Working Bikes, who will fix and redistribute them to needy communities around the world. Please note that there is a $20 fee (cash only) for recycling tube TV’s.

The event starts at 9:00 am and ends at 12:00 pm. Ward 2 staff and Alderman Hopkins will be there to assist you. There is a limit of 3 boxes of document shredding per household.

We’re pleased to provide an update regarding a new public safety measure in River North.

Alderman Reilly worked with the River North Residents Association (RNRA)  to identify locations where additional Police Observation cameras should be installed to assist the Chicago Police Department in their efforts.

The Office of Emergency Management and Communication (OEMC) surveyed these locations for potential placement of discreet Police Observation cameras. After receiving input from the Chicago Police Department, Alderman Reilly allocated a portion of his Aldermanic Menu to fund the installation of POD cameras at the following locations:

These cameras can be monitored in real-time from the 18th District Headquarters’ Strategic Decision Support Center (SDSC), which is a technology-driven “nerve-center” that analyzes date to determine where to deploy officers and resources.

RNRA appreciates Alderman Reilly’s dedication to leveraging all available City resources and supplementing the work of the dedicated police officers to enhance safety in the 42nd Ward.

One of RNRA’s core pillars is Public Safety.  RNRA encourags all residents to attend their CAPS Beat Meetings.  To find your District & Beat, click HERE.  The next River North Beat Meetings take place in September.  Check out the RNRA Event Calendar for dates and times.

Join Alderman Brian Hopkins for a bike ride around the 2nd Ward! This 12.5-mile social ride begins and ends at the 2nd Ward office (1400 N Ashland Ave.) and will travel at a casual pace through Wicker Park, Bucktown, Ukrainian Village, the 606 Trail, and more.

Click Here to Register

The ride is free to all participants. Free refreshments, bicycle safety checks and t-shirts will be provided. For everyone’s safety Ward 2 asks that all bicycle riders be at least 16 years of age. Please do not forget your helmet.

We want to thank Fremont for their generosity in hosting our RNRA “End of Summer Mixer” last night 8/22/19.  A good time was had by all and it was great to catch up with our neighbors!

Check out Fremont’s  new “Neighborhood Night Out” every Thursday from 5pm to 9pm with 50% off all food for folks that live or work in River North.  Fremont is featured on our  neighborhood mobile app My River North along with two other River North 4-C Four Corners restaurants Highline Bar & Lounge and Monty’s Tap.  Haven’t downloaded your app yet?!  It’s Free at the App Store and Google Play.  Stay on top of local news, events and enjoy deals from over 50 participating businesses.

The Chicago Avenue Resurfacing Project Begins

Please be aware that this month sees the beginning of a large repaving and infrastructure improvement project on Chicago Avenue, located between Larrabee Street and Michigan Avenue.

This project is part of the Chicago Department of Transportation’s Arterial Street Resurfacing Central Area Project. These improvements include ADA sidewalk upgrades, curb and gutter removal and replacement, milling and paving of the existing asphalt pavement, and final restoration and striping of the lane.

During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required for each phase of the project. Parking may be restricted during working hours. This project is scheduled to be completed by December, 2019.

If you have any questions about this project, please contact the 2nd Ward office at (312) 643-2299, or by email at ward02@cityofchicago.org

24 Hour Lane Reductions on Ontario, between Orleans and Wells, Starting Monday – August 5

Beginning Monday, August 5 at 12:01am, 24 hour lane reductions on Ontario, between Orleans and Wells will commence to allow for the repainting of the section of the Brown Line over Ontario Street. Traffic will be reduced down to two lanes during the work.

No Parking/Tow Zones will be in effect on Ontario, between Orleans and Wells for the duration of the work.

Beginning Friday, August 20 through Friday, September 16, Franklin between Ontario and Ohio will be closed to all vehicular traffic (weather permitting).

Work on this important Public Benefit will continue through the summer and fall, as long as temperatures permit to facilitate the painting work.

There will be noise (including nighttime periods) while the work is being performed:

As residents may be aware, the CTA is currently repainting 895 feet of the Brown Line Tracks through local impact funds that Alderman Reilly secured from three private development projects in the Ward (142 W. Hubbard, 300 W. Huron, and 110 N. Wacker).

For more information about the Construction Activity Notices for the project, please click here.

LaSalle Street Bridge Lane Closures

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has implemented lane closures on the LaSalle Street Bridge over the Chicago River to allow for panel replacements. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during work.

One Chicago Square-1 W Chicago Pedestrian and Traffic Impacts

Although fencing is already in place for the sidewalk closure, pedestrians still have access to the sidewalk, but should exercise caution when walking by the construction site.

The Curb Lanes along Chicago, State, Superior, and Dearborn will remain a No Parking/Tow Zone throughout the project, to allow for demolition, and then the protected pedestrian walkway.

The sidewalk along the east side of Dearborn, from Superior to Chicago, has been closed to pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians will be rerouted to the west side of Dearborn.