On Tuesday, April 20, Alderman Reilly went on record with Crain’s Chicago Business to raise serious concerns about the objectivity of the selection process for the Chicago casino. Please click here to read the Alderman’s comments.

COOK COUNTY, IL – Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced on April 27 the opening of a Sheriff’s Office command post in Chicago’s River North neighborhood to help deter crime, an expansion of the Office’s effort to combat violence throughout the city.

The River North command post at 500 North Clark has been opened since January and is aimed at increasing law enforcement presence in the area and supporting the Chicago Police Department. Sheriff’s Police started assisting in the downtown area during the unrest in May 2020. Sheriff’s Police also have a command post in Austin on Chicago’s West Side and have been engaged in constant collaboration with CPD throughout the city, including in Chinatown and the Central Business District.

“I’m committed to helping ensure the safety of our city and its suburbs,” Sheriff Dart said. “We’re here in River North to bolster police presence, and we will continue to collaborate with Chicago Police to create a safer downtown for everyone who works, visits, and lives here.”

Sheriff Dart was joined by Deputy Mayor John O’Malley, CPD Superintendent David O. Brown, Alderman Brian Hopkins, Cook County Commissioners Bridget Degnen and Scott Britton, the River North Residents Association, and the Magnificent Mile Association.

“The Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Sherriff’s Office share a long history of collaboration,” Superintendent Brown said. “This new office location in the city’s central business district and the historic River North neighborhood is just the latest example of our shared commitment to making our city and our county safer for all.”

“I welcome Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s satellite office on N. Clark Street and his partnership with our other law enforcement agencies,” Alderman Hopkins said. “This office will provide additional resources and diverse tasks to combat crime and mayhem in the Central Business District.”

Sheriff’s Police presence in Chicago is not out of the ordinary. Sheriff’s Police have had permanent post in Austin since 2018 and since then the area has seen a decrease in shootings and homicides.
Shootings were down 15% in 2021 compared to 2020 in the Chicago’s 15th Police District, which includes Austin. Homicides were down nearly 30%.

This year through April 24, the 15th district has seen an 11% decrease in shootings and a 17% decrease in homicides when compared to the same time period last year.

In addition to proactive policing in Austin, the office has strong partnerships with local organizations and regularly engages with its residents to strengthen the bond between the community and law enforcement.

In 2020, Sheriff Dart formed the Sheriff’s Police Community Safety Team, which focuses on suburban areas with high criminal activity. The team focuses on proactive policing as well as engaging residents and business owners to help address their public safety needs.

Brian Israel, RNRA President

Thank you to everyone who came out to walk with RNRA Leaders and our 18th District Community Policing Officers on Tuesday night April 26th. We kicked off the walk at Clark & Hubbard where residents had a chance to voice concerns and ask questions.  Sgt. Chris Schenk and Officer Peggy Benz arranged for the group to visit the new Cook County Sheriff’s command post located at 500 N. Clark.  The Cook County Sheriff’s office is providing additional resources to the area and working closely with CPD. To learn more about the new command post, CLICK HERE.

Stay tuned for more “Walk & Talks” in 2022!

We encourage all residents to participate in the CAPS Beat Meetings.  WE ARE RETURNING TO IN-PERSON MEETINGS.  CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO SEE WHERE YOUR MEETING WILL BE HELD.

To find your District & Beat, click HERE.

Beat 1822: May 17 (Tue) 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Beat 1823:  May 17  (Tue) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Beat 1824:  May 19 (Thur) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Beat 1831:  May 24  (Tue) –  5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Beat 1832: May 24  (Tue) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Beat 1833: May 26 (Thur) – 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Beat 1834: May 26 (Thur) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

CLICK HERE to view the full 2022 schedule of District 018 CAPS Beat Meetings.

Other Resources for District 18

• Check https://twitter.com/ChicagoCAPS18

• Call 18th District CAPS Office at: (312) 742-5778

12th District

Beat 1214:  April 27 (Wed) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

June 15 (Wed) – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Other Resources for District 12

• Check https://twitter.com/ChicagoCAPS12
• Call 12th District CAPS Office at:  (312) 746-8306

On April 6, RNRA launched a survey to capture public input about the Bally’s Tribune casino proposal. Survey results have been published and will be updated regularly. If you haven’t taken the survey yet, please do so and let your voice be heard. Please share this information with any individuals or organizations that may be impacted by this development.

Join millions nationwide as we come together to promote police community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Food, Activities, SWAT, K9, Mounted Fire Truck, Zoo Rides!

When: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo – 2001 N. Clark Street

Follow the CAPS18 Twitter Account to keep up with current news.

Interested in volunteering? CPD needs volunteers for set-up, tear-down and working the event. Please contact:

Stephanie Nomellini
Police Officer, Community Relations Office
18th District, Near North Station
(Office) 312-742-5778 (Fax) 312-747-3903

The Bally’s Tribune Casino would impact on our community more than any development in the last 25 years. RNRA is conducting a survey to collect well-informed public input. Samir Mayekar, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Neighborhood Development, said “Community engagement is at the center of this process”. Please review the information, complete our survey, and encourage others to do the same.

Come shred your personal papers/documents and recycle electronics safely with the help of R4 Services.    The service is provided free of charge, but only open to 18th District residents.  Prescription drug drop-off will also be available in the lobby of the 18th District Station.

When:  April 20th 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where:  18th District Police Station Parking Lot – 1160 N. Larrabee Street

Dear Neighbors,

River North Residents Association’s strong opposition to Bally’s casino proposal for the Tribune Publishing site is set forth in our December 3, 2021 letter to 27th Ward Alderman Burnett, 42nd Ward Alderman Reilly, and 2nd Ward Alderman Hopkins. 

RNRA’s letter, which may be accessed HERE, describes significant negative impacts that a large-scale entertainment complex would have on traffic, public safety and quality of life for thousands of residents in the densely populated surrounding area.

On March 22, the City of Chicago announced the selection of three finalists, one of which will receive the sole license to operate a Casino in our city. Three community meetings are scheduled, where you will learn more about each site and have an opportunity to ask questions and share comments or concerns.