December 9, 2019 By
Alderman Reilly and ChiGivesBack Toy Drive 2019
This holiday season, in partnership with ChiGivesBack, Alderman Reilly’s 42nd Ward Office will be a donation site for the 3rd Annual Chicagoland Toy Drive! Over the past two years, nearly 8,000 toys were donated to low income children and families suffering from homelessness.
Between now and December 10th, the toys collected help provide holiday joy to children living at local homeless shelters and families who are residents at the Chicago Housing Authority. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Alderman Reilly’s Office, located at 121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 200, between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm. Please let the desk staff know you are dropping off toys for Alderman Reilly’s toy drive.
December 9, 2019 By
New 42nd Ward Traffic Safety Infrastructure: Left Turn Traffic Calming along State Street High Crash Corridor
Vision Zero Chicago (VZC) is the commitment and approach to eliminating fatalities and serious injuries from traffic crashes. The Vision Zero Chicago Action Plan called for the creation of the Vision Zero Downtown Task Force, which Alderman Reilly chairs.
In line with recommendations that the Task Force developed, Alderman Reilly is very pleased to announce the recent completion of Left Turn Traffic Calming treatments at five intersections along State Street, between Ontario Street and Kinzie Street.
State Street and Kinzie Street, Before (top) and After (bottom)
Called a Rapid Delivery Project, these projects are “low-cost, quick hit changes to the street” that can be adjusted based on project results, impacts, and community feedback. These are an interim solution to safety challenges and will be evaluated for effectiveness in improving safety.
Alderman Reilly authorized a significant portion of his menu funds for this Rapid Delivery project which included speed bumps and vertical posts to “harden” the centerline of the intersection.
State Street and Hubbard Street, Before (top) and After (bottom)
Left Turn Traffic Calming works by guiding drivers to take a safer path when turning left, improving drivers’ visibility of pedestrians crossing the street and encourages drivers to take turns at slower speeds.
About the Vision Zero Downtown Task Force: The role of the Task Force is to inform stakeholders about Vision Zero and discuss potential roles and responsibilities for implementing the Action Plan.
Alderman Reilly serves as the Chairman of the Vision Zero Downtown Task Force and looks forward to continuing to work with CDOT and Task Force Partners to increase safety through the Downtown Vision Zero Plan.
December 9, 2019 By
Community Presentation: Development Proposal for 344 North Canal Street Next Monday, December 9
Alderman Reilly invites you to join him at an informational presentation regarding the development proposal for the site located at 344 North Canal Street. The proposed project would include a 33-story residential building containing 343 apartments and ground floor commercial space, along with 124 enclosed parking spaces.
Representatives of The Habitat Company and their architects, Solomon Cordwell and Buenz (SCB), will present their plans and answer any questions you may have about this development proposal.
WHAT: Development Proposal – 344 North Canal Street
WHO: Hosted by Alderman Brendan Reilly
WHEN: Monday, December 9 from 6:00-8:00pm
WHERE: East Bank Club, 500 North Kingsbury Street
As you know, Alderman Reilly works hard to provide an open and transparent community review of all local development proposals. This project has not received Alderman Reilly’s support, and this informational meeting is only the beginning of his rigorous, transparent review process.
Alderman Reilly looks forward to hearing any concerns and comments you may have about this proposal.
December 4, 2019 By
44th Annual Do-It-Yourself Messiah – December 16 & 17
International Music Foundation Presents: The 44th Annual Do-It-Yourself Messiah
Event takes place on December 16 & 17, 2019 – Tickets on sale November 15, 2019
November 4, 2019 (CHICAGO, IL) – The International Music Foundation is pleased to announce the 44th Annual presentation of Do-It-Yourself Messiah. This beloved holiday event will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 16, and Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, located at 205 East Randolph on the north side of Chicago’s Millennium Park. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased as early as Friday, November 15 online at www.harristheaterchicago.org, in person, or by phone at (312) 334-7777. The Harris Theater Box Office hours are Monday – Friday, Noon – 5:00 p.m.
A Chicago holiday tradition since 1976, the Do-It-Yourself Messiah brings together a world-class conductor and soloists, an all-volunteer orchestra of local professionals and amateur musicians and actively encourages the thousands of audience members to step into the role of the chorus in a thrilling performance of George Frideric Handel’s masterpiece, Messiah.
This year’s Messiah will once again be led by world-renowned Maestro Stanley Sperber, who is returning for his 19th year, and will feature several local Chicago-based musicians and soloists. Among those scheduled to perform are soprano Michelle Areyzaga, countertenor Ryan Belongie, tenor Josh Tessier, bass baritone Mark S. Doss, and concertmaster Richard Young.
“For 44 years, the Do-It-Yourself Messiah has been creating lifelong memories for the families, friends, and strangers who come together to celebrate the season. Maestro Sperber, leading both the amateur and professional musicians, brings Handel’s Messiah to life. It is truly a magical holiday tradition.” – Mark Riggleman, Executive Director
In celebration of the 44th Annual performance of Messiah, the International Music Foundation is giving their Instagram followers an opportunity to win five pairs of tickets to each performance from November 15, 2019 through December 13, 2019. To enter, follow the International Music Foundation on Instagram at @imfchicago and tag the friend you would like to join you on any post tagged #DIYMessiah #GIVEAWAY. Ten winners will be chosen at random and notified via direct message.
For more information on Do-It-Yourself Messiah visit http://imfchicago.org/programs/do-it-yourself-messiah/ or contact IMF Executive Director, Mark Riggleman at (312) 670-6888 | mriggleman@imfchicago.org.
About Messiah
Composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, Messiah is a large-scale piece for orchestra, chorus and soloists. Originally intended as an Easter oratorio, it has become more popularly associated with the Christmas holiday season.
About The International Music Foundation
The International Music Foundation (IMF), founded in 1976, is dedicated to presenting free high-caliber classical music performances and music education experiences in the Chicago metropolitan area for people of all ages and degrees of musical awareness. IMF offers the following programs and educational experiences: Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, Rush Hour Concerts, Do-It-Yourself Messiah, Make Music Chicago and Live Music Now!. For more information about the International Music Foundation, visit www.imfchicago.org or contact IMF Executive Director, Mark Riggleman at (312) 670-6888 | mriggleman@imfchicago.org.
Follow IMF on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalMusicFoundationChicago
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imfchicago
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IMFchicago
About Harris Theater for Music and Dance
The Harris Theater is Chicago’s primary residence for music and dance, connecting diverse audiences with outstanding artists from across the city, the nation, and the world. The Theater’s activities fall under three central strategies: support for local music and dance companies, presentation of national and international artists, and community engagement and educational programs. Now in its fourteenth season, the Theater has earned national recognition as a distinctive model for collaboration, performance, and artistic advancement.
Today, the Harris Theater’s original group of 12 resident companies has grown to include 30 diverse music and dance companies, and its Harris Theater Presents series has featured world-renowned artists and ensembles including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Batsheva Dance, Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir, Hamburg Ballet, Angélique Kidjo, Paris Opéra Ballet, and Stephen Sondheim. The Harris Theater’s community engagement initiatives build bridges between artists and community members, providing master classes, artist talks, and free tickets for more than 35 partner organizations throughout Chicago.
To learn more about the Harris Theater, Chicago’s state-of-the-art 1,499-seat performance venue, visit HarrisTheaterChicago.org.
November 21, 2019 By
Friends of the Chicago River – Overflow Action Day 11-21-19 – You can make a difference
The National Weather Service is forecasting rain through the early morning hours and into the afternoon. As little as 0.3 inches of rainwater can trigger a combined sewage overflow (CSO) into the Chicago River when the system gets overwhelmed.
Here’s a tip:
Quicker Showers
A 10 minute shower can use as much as 40 gallons of water. Try a five minute shower instead.
Get more information on Friends of the Chicago River #OverflowAction Day effort
and share with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Sign up to receive OAD alerts.
November 20, 2019 By
GIving Tuesday December 3, 2019 – Please support our local non-profits!
Every year, RNRA provides financial and promotional support to a number of local non-profits doing incredible work in our community.
Our “adopted” charities include Friends of the Parks, Gilda’s Club, Friends of the Chicago River, The Anti-Cruelty Society, The Chicago Help Initiative, CPD Memorial Foundation’s “Get Behind the Vest” program and River North Clean Streets.
We hope you will consider supporting these fine organizations on Giving Tuesday.
November 20, 2019 By
The 2019 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival & Tree-Lighting Parade
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival & Tree-Lighting Parade will be taking place on Friday, November 22nd and Saturday, November 23rd. Fun for the whole family culminates in Saturday’s grand Tree-Lighting Parade down Michigan Avenue with grand marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World Resorts in Florida. For the full parade route, please click here.
The full schedule of events starts on Friday, November 22nd between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Saturday’s events will take place between 11:00 am and 7:30 pm. Please be mindful of intermittent street closures taking place on Michigan Avenue and several connecting streets beginning at 5:00 am on Friday, November 22nd, and lasting until 5:00 am on Sunday, November 24th.
Saturday, November 23rd, starting at 5:30 pm:
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival & Tree-Lighting Parade: The parade steps onto Michigan Avenue at Oak Street. Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and their friends from the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida travel down North Michigan Avenue to Wacker Drive, lighting one million lights along the way! The procession features spectacular floats, helium-filled balloons, marching bands and top musical performers. Look out for lively appearances made by Hubert the Lion, Benny the Bull and other well-known Chicago mascots.
Saturday, November 23rd, starting at 6:55 pm:
The fireworks spectacular begins over the Chicago River at North Michigan Avenue.
