The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have participated in the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, taking advantage of a low-cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation.

The cost-per-square-foot charged to property owners is well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify for a further discounted rate.

All property owners with non-vaulted sidewalks are eligible to participate.

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program will begin accepting applicants on January 7th, 2020 at 6:00 am. Applications can be filed by calling 311, or filed online at https://311.chicago.gov by using the Service Request Type: “Shared Cost Sidewalk Program Request”.

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis, and any applications made BEFORE 6:00 am on January 7 will NOT be accepted. The number of participants is based on the availability of funds. The program reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply at 6:00 am.

Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2020. The property owner’s contact information and the property’s complete address are required (first name, last name, address, city, zip, phone, and email address if available) at the time of application.

For more information, please visit the Shared Sidewalk Program’s official web page.

Chicago winters can be especially challenging when sidewalks are not cleared of snow and ice. Clearing sidewalks is the law, and it’s our responsibility to each other during the winter.

Many people rely on walking and transit as their primary way to get around. Without a wide, clear path through snow and ice, it is especially difficult for people with disabilities, seniors, and children to walk.

Please remember that per Chicago Municipal Code 10-8-180, “every owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or other person having charge of any building or lot of ground in the city abutting upon any public way or public place shall remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of such building or lot of ground.”

Individuals who do not comply can face fines up to $500 per day of violation and businesses can be fined up to $1,000 per day. To report locations that do not clear their sidewalk dial 3-1-1 to make a “Snow – Uncleared Sidewalk” request or call your Alderman’s Office so they can alert the property owner of their responsibility.

Make your neighborhood safe for everyone to get around this winter. Help the City of Chicago provide a great pedestrian environment and take responsibility for your sidewalk by clearing snow and ice!

A Cleaner, Safer & More Compassionate Neighborhood

What is River North Clean Streets?

Now in it’s third successful year, River North Clean Streets is a 501(c)3 non-profit, founded by the River North Residents Association and the River North Business Association and endorsed by both Alderman Brendan Reilly and Commander Daniel O’Shea.

The 2019 Season ran from May through October 2019:

• 629 bags of trash and 309 bags of recyclables (over 11 tons) were removed from our streets.
• Nearly 100 hard-working crew members received potentially life-changing opportunities.

The Problem: Unfortunately, our many visitors often leave a shocking amount of litter behind when they head home after a night on the town. Since the Department of Streets and Sanitation has limited resources on weekends, the neighborhood has to live with unsightly and unsanitary streets and sidewalks until Monday morning.

The Solution:  The River North Clean Streets has arranged for Cleanslate Chicago to tidy up our neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  In their bright yellow vests, the friendly, well trained Cleanslate crews pick up tons of garbage and recyclable materials, leaving our community cleaner, safer and healthier.

The Benefits:  Keeps our neighborhood looking great, promotes recycling, deters crime, improves public health and safety and provides life-changing support, training and temporary employment for hardworking Cleanslate interns eager to move toward self sufficiency.

Thank you to our Sponsors: This program is made possible by local businesses, organizations and individuals who are willing to become block or program sponsors.  We wish to express our gratitude to all of our sponsors who are helping to maintain a cleaner, safer and more compassionate River North.

• To view participating Block Sponsors, click here.
• To view participating Program Sponsors, click here.

Click here to learn about the amazing deal and current service area. To become a sponsor click here.

Congratulation to our “2019 Intern of the Year” Lena Gladney from Cleanslate Chicago.

Lena, an intern with Cleanslate Chicago was presented the Award at the 2019 RNRA Annual Meeting on 11-12-19 at Tao Chicago in recognition of outstanding performance in time management, communication, professionalism, conflict resolution and teamwork for her performance on the River North Clean Streets program.

From left to right: Brian Israel (RNCS President), Lena Gladney (Cleanslate Chicago Intern), Brady Gott (Cleanslate Chicago Managing Director), Mickie Gordon (RNCS Board of Directors)

This holiday season the Art Institute of Chicago is staying open select evenings until 8:00pm. That means you have more time to visit the critically acclaimed Andy Warhol – From A to B and Back Again, more time to see iconic artworks, and more time to enjoy the galleries.

Be sure to check the schedule of evening hours, including new free hours for Illinois residents. Further information about admission opportunities can be found on the Art Institute of Chicago’s website.

On Monday December 9 , Alderman Reilly hosted a community presentation for a new mixed-use development proposal at 344 North Canal Street.

(344 North Canal Street, image courtesy of Habitat Company & SCB)

The proposed project would include a 33-story building containing 343 residential units, 124 enclosed parking spaces, and ground floor commercial space. The project also provides for bicycle parking spaces within the building.

The 343 residential units are divided into: 75 Efficiencies (21.9%), 25 Jr 1 Bedroom (7.3%), 186 1 Bedroom (54.2%), 57 2 & 2+ Bedroom (16.6%). The building will achieve 100 points under the City’s sustainability policy. The architects have not yet determined the specific mechanisms to achieve the points.

(View looking northbound Canal Street, image courtesy of Habitat Company & SCB)

If you were unable to attend the Monday, December 9th meeting, please click on the following links to view the slideshow presentation and traffic study.

(Ground floor site plan, courtesy of Habitat Company & SCB)

The traffic study was conducted by Gewalt Hamilton Associates Inc. and accounts for traffic impacts from Wolf Point East as well a possible development on the vacant lot (approx. 527 W. Kinzie Street), adjacent to 344 North Canal Street. A brief summary of the traffic study is below:

(Entry Court on Canal Street, image courtesy of Habitat Company & SCB)

Alderman Reilly uses community feedback to negotiate across the table from the development team. This transparent development review process has yielded significant improvements to projects proposed in the 42nd Ward, and has resulted in substantial community benefits implemented at private expense.