The Chicago Smart Lighting Program (CSLP) is wrapping up its first year and has installed new lights in all of the city’s 50 wards. To date more than 76,000 new LED smart streetlight fixtures have been installed as part of the four-year modernization program, which is increasing the reliability and quality of Chicago’s streetlights.

The modernization program is being implemented by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and will replace 270,000 of Chicago’s street, alley and viaduct lights with high-quality LED fixtures during its four-year timeframe. Chicago is also installing a citywide lighting management system for the new LED lights. When it becomes operational later this year, the system will alert the City when lights need service.

By switching to energy efficient LED streetlights, the City expects to cut its streetlight electricity costs by more than half, yielding savings of approximately $100 million over 10 years. Utility savings from the first year of the program are estimated to be up to $1 million. In addition, the City expects to qualify for as much as $35 million in ComEd energy efficiency rebates for switching to more efficient streetlights from outdated High-Pressure Sodium (HPS).

Streetlight fixture replacements in the first year have been focused in South and West Side neighborhoods with heightened public safety concerns, allowing those communities to quickly reap the benefits of higher quality, more reliable lighting. In addition, new lights have been installed on more than a dozen major arterial routes.

In the 42nd Ward, streetlight upgrades were completed on Grand Avenue from Jefferson Street to Lake Shore Drive. Additionally, streetlights on Lake Shore Drive were upgraded from Superior Street to Balbo Avenue.

To read the full press release, click here. The City has also created a website, chicagosmartlighting.org, where Chicagoans can track the progress of the program.

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 9/7/18

According to the 2018 National Green Building Adoption Index published by CBRE Group Inc. and Maastricht University, Chicago is the national leader in energy efficient office buildings for the second year in a row. The city gained a nearly six point spread over second-place San Francisco, marking the largest spread ever recorded in the Index.

According to the report, 69.8 percent of the office buildings in Chicago are market certified green and 265 buildings are green. San Francisco claimed the second spot with 64 percent of all space green certified, and Atlanta maintained the third spot with more than 58 percent. Los Angeles claimed fourth – up from sixth last year. Minneapolis rounds out the top five with 55 percent of office space certified.

To read more about the study, and Chicago’s strong environmental track record which includes the 2017 Chicago Energy Benchmarking Report, click here.

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 9/7/18

As a tribute to the important work the Chicago Police Department’s Canine Unit dogs perform every day, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation launched the Chicago K9s for Cops public art campaign.  The campaign was conceived to memorialize our city’s heroes while supporting the families of police officers that have been killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty.

Life-size statues of German Shepard and Retriever Police dogs have been designed by local artists, and are on display now along the Magnificent Mile and other prominent locations throughout Chicago. The 50 hand-painted police K9’s will be on display through September 30. For a map of locations, click here.

For generations, police officers in Chicago have used dogs as partners to assist them in solving crimes and keeping communities safe. Today, approximately 70 canines help our officers protect the city every day. They are invaluable partners that are highly skilled and trained to serve law enforcement professionals in a variety of capacities.

Alderman Reilly helped contribute to this initiative with Astro the Alderdog, presented in loving memory of 18th District Commander Paul Bauer. Astro currently stands guard outside 600 N. Michigan.

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 9/7/18

Alderman Reilly is pleased to announce upcoming improvements to the pickleball facilities at Maggie Daley Park! Pickleball is a popular paddle sport that combines the elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, and is enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels.

The 42nd Ward is home to hundreds of active pickleball players. Earlier this summer, the pickleball community appealed to the Alderman to request dedicated pickleball courts to be striped at Maggie Daley Park.

Alderman Reilly is happy to report that he authorized a portion of the Aldermanic Menu to fund a number of improvements to the popular pickleball facilities at Maggie Daley Park.

Permanent pickleball court striping will be installed on two existing courts on September 10 and 11*. Later this year, the pickleball community will enjoy new portable pickleball nets, a pickleball scoreboard, and a court divider.

Alderman Reilly was happy to work with the Chicago Park District to fund improvements to the popular pickleball program at Maggie Daley Park. Please stay tuned to Reilly Reports for updates on the upgrades coming to Maggie Daley Park.

*Weather permitting. Please note, the tennis courts will be closed on September 10-11 for restriping, and will reopen for users on September 12.*

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 9/7/18