The RNRA Public Safety Committee meets regularly to discuss key River North public safety initiatives as well as to prepare for upcoming District CAPS meetings.   For more information about the RNRA Public Safety Committee, click here.

Note start time change to 7:30 p.m.

A heartfelt thank you to our every day heroes, our First Responders – the brave men and women who serve our community selflessly with honor and courage.  We are forever grateful to you. We salute you today and everyday!

Centrum Realty & Development is pleased to present a 9 story office development plan for the southeast corner of Chicago & Franklin. Formerly a Wal-Mart Express, the 15,000 square foot building has been vacant for many years.

After studying multiple options to revitalize the site, Centrum is proposing a 9-story, contemporary office building that is designed to meet the consistently strong office demand in the River North market.

Located at the Chicago Avenue Brown/Purple Line stop, and served by the #66 Chicago Avenue bus route, the building will have great appeal to public transit users. The office plans include a fitness and conference center, in addition to a top floor lounge with large outdoor terrace overlooking the city sky line. The project will include retail at the first level, with a targeted tenant mix designed to complement the office users and further activate the intersection.

The proposal has secured the support of the River North Residents Association (RNRA). The project development team will also be required to present their plans for approval to the Chicago Plan Commission, Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards and City Council. For more information about this proposal, click on the following link to view the project materials.

As part of Alderman Reilly’s transparent community process for new developments, your comments and observations are welcome for this project. Please forward any feedback to: development@ward42chicago.com.

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 10/18/19

Following a series of citywide community engagement meetings and working group sessions with community advocates, aldermen, business leaders, policy experts, and cannabis professionals over the past month, City Council approved Mayor Lightfoot’s ordinance that establishes Chicago’s first zoning regulations for the sale of adult-use cannabis.

The new substitute ordinance passed this week modifies the City’s downtown exclusion zone, strengthens regulations on residential, business, commercial, downtown and industrial zoning districts, and expands community input to ensure residents can petition against new dispensaries applying to establish in their neighborhood.

As part of the ordinance, the City’s downtown exclusion zone bans cannabis sales north of the Chicago River from Lake Michigan to the east, State St. to the west and Division Street to the north. South of the Chicago River, cannabis sales are banned from Lake Michigan to the east, the Chicago River to the west and Van Buren Street to the south.

Additionally, following Jan 1, 2021, the City will conduct a comprehensive land-impact study as part of an effort to analyze the environmental, economic and social impacts of dispensaries in various communities and determine in consultation with City Council whether adjustments to the designated cannabis zones and caps are needed.

As part of Mayor Lightfoot’s efforts to ensure residents have a voice in the implementation of legalized cannabis sales in Chicago, the ordinance also establishes requirements for all new cannabis business establishments to host community engagement sessions as part of their application through the Zoning Board of Appeals. Additionally, residents can ban dispensaries from establishing within their precinct of the city if more than 25% of residents sign a petition within 90 days demanding that the applying dispensary establish elsewhere.

This ordinance comes after more than 500 community members from across Chicago attended community information sessions hosted by the Mayor’s Office and the City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards last week to provide public input opportunities on the City’s proposed zoning regulations for recreational cannabis sales.

The zoning regulations represent the City’s first step towards implementing legalized cannabis throughout Chicago. Over the next couple months, the City will continue to work with City Council, local businesses and community members to develop the rules and regulations to guide the licensure and cannabis consumption upon its legalization on Jan. 1, 2020.

Additional meetings with the industry and community chambers of commerce will be held across the City to gather public input on the licensing, consumption and additional factors of the new industry.

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 10/18/19

Thank you Eats on Sedgwick for inviting RNRA to participate in Eats Fest on Thursday October 3 at Jesse White Community Center, benefitting the Jesse White Foundation.  We had a great time with our neighbors enjoying the Jesse White Tumblers and of course the absolutely delicious free bites from Eats on Sedgwick.

Eats on Sedgwick offers a spectacular deal on our My River North mobile app!  Download the app today FREE and check it out along with discounts from over 50 other businesses!

Countless galaxies, unfathomable distances, exploding stars, diamond planets, black holes, there’s no way around it, space is freaking awesome!

Come learn more at the Adler Planetarium during their Illinois Resident Discount Days – where Illinois residents receive FREE entry to the museum. Museum entry provides access to all exhibitions and experiences (excluding the historic Atwood Sphere Experience and sky shows).

2019 Illinois Resident Discount Days
October 7-9, 14-16
November 8, 11
December 2-3, 7, 12-13

Please note – a valid ID with an Illinois address is required at the box office for these special admission prices.

Whether you are looking for free activities for kids, want to learn more about space or take in the amazing view of the Chicago skyline, free days are a great time to stop by!

Let’s make a difference in our neighborhood!  Everyone is invited to participate in a two-part series to create the 18th District’s 2020 Community Policing Strategic Plan.  The first series started on October 10 at Park Community Church, 1001 N. Crosby.  Next meeting is November 6 from 6:oo to 8:00 p.m.   Join RNRA and other neighborhood communities at these important sessions.  Let’s partner with our police for a safer River North.

What:  Community Conversation Part II – participate in creating the 18th District’s 2020 Community Policing Strategic Plan

When:  November 6 –   6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Where:  Park Communty Church – 1001 N. Crosby – Chicago, IL

For more information contact the 18th District Community Policing Office at 312-742-5778.  Follow the 18th at Twitter: @chicagocaps18