December 4, 2017 By

New Lighting Installed at Montgomery Ward Park along the Dog Park and Riverwalk

Alderman Reilly is very pleased to announce the installation of 14 acorn lights along the south side of Montgomery Ward Park by the Riverwalk and the adjoining Larrabee Dog Park. These lights are dark sky compliant, meaning they minimize glare while reducing light trespass and skyglow.
The installation of additional lighting was recommended by the Chicago Police Department as a public safety and critical infrastructure improvement to illuminate the area and curb illegal activities.
Alderman Reilly requested the Chicago Department of Transportation survey the south side of Montgomery Ward Park by the Riverwalk and the adjoining Larrabee Dog Park to determine what lighting improvements could be made.
Lighting along the south side of the park is now complete, and light poles around the Dog Friendly Area have been installed, with acorn light fixtures soon to be installed.
These lighting enhancements will go a long way towards improving safety in this area.
 Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 12/1/17
Filed Under: Community
December 3, 2017 By

Attention Motorists: Annual Winter Overnight Parking Ban Began Friday, December 1st!

Chicago’s annual Winter Overnight Parking Ban on critical arterial streets began Friday, December 1, 2017 and runs through April 1, 2018.
There are 107 miles of city streets considered critical arterial streets, and the nightly ban is in effect between the hours of 3:00am and 7:00am regardless of the presence of snow.
Violators of the Winter Overnight Parking Ban may face a $150 towing fee (minimum), a $60 ticket and a daily storage fee of $20. Vehicles in violation of the ban will be towed to Pounds 2 (10301 South Doty Avenue) or 6 (701 North Sacramento).
Please click on the following link to see a MAP  of streets that are affected by the Overnight Parking Ban.
Overnight parking restriction signs are posted throughout the designated routes.  Please be aware of these signs indicating the parking restrictions.
There is also a separate snow related ban that affects another 500 miles of main roadways across the city and takes effect when there are at least two inches of snow on the street regardless of time of day or calendar date.
For more information on the overnight parking ban and to view a map of streets impacted by the ban, click here.
Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 12/1/17
Filed Under: Community
December 2, 2017 By

The Chicago Help Initiative – 2nd Annual “Miracle on Southport” Fundraiser

SECOND ANNUAL “MIRACLE ON SOUTHPORT” FUNDRAISER ON DEC. 14  AT MUSIC BOX THEATRE TO HELP FEED CHICAGOANS FACING HOMELESSNESS
Chicago is a great city for family Christmas traditions. And if you like classic family movies and fun sing-alongs, then put the second annual “Miracle on Southport” on your list.

On December 14th, The Chicago Help Initiative is sponsoring a screening of “Miracle on 34th Street” at the iconic Music Box Theatre. The event, dubbed “Miracle on Southport” will feature the original 1947 movie (starring Natalie Wood, Maureen O’Hara and Edmund Gwenn), a great local choir to lead the sing-along, a special guest appearance by Santa Claus (of course), a raffle, holiday libations and laughter.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with showtime and sing-along starting at 6:30 p.m. in the big theater. Tickets are only $20, available at The Chicago Help Initiative website.

All proceeds benefit the Chicago Help Initiative’s supper program – providing nutritious meals from some of Chicago’s finest restaurants along with life-changing resources to people facing homelessness in downtown Chicago.

The event is open to the public of all ages. The Music Box Theatre is located at 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60613. Please join us for a wonderful evening for a good cause to help Chicagoans in need.

Learn more about The Chicago Help Initiative at www.ChicagoHelpInitiative.org

 

Filed Under: Community
December 1, 2017 By

CTA: Extra Service for Bulls, Blackhawks & Bears Games this Weekend

Source: Walter Burnett, Jr:  27th Ward Newsletter 12/1/17

CTA recommends allowing plenty of travel time and purchasing fares and unlimited-ride passes ahead of time. More information about purchasing fares is below.

Event service
United Center games and concerts
  • Rail: Green, Pink and Blue lines
  • Extra Bus: #19 United Center Express, #20 Madison and #50 Damen
Games
Sacramento Kings vs. Chicago Bulls – Fri. 12/1 at 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Sun. 12/3 at 6 p.m.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls – Mon. 12/4 at 7 p.m.
Concerts
Jay Z – Tues. 12/5 at 8 p.m.
Andrea Bocelli – Wed. 12/6 at 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears at Soldier Field – Sunday 12/3 at 12 p.m.
  • Rail: Red, Orange, Green lines
  • Extra Bus: #128 Soldier Field Express, #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express
Buy your unlimited ride passes and fares in advance
Avoid long lines to buy fares! Customers can add unlimited ride passes (1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day) or add money to pay per-ride to their Ventra cards ahead of time via the free Ventra app, at rail station Ventra vending machines, online or at more than 1,000 local retailers (for locations visit ventrachicago.com or the Ventra app).
Customers can also purchase from Ventra vending machines 1-day unlimited ride tickets ($10) or single-ride tickets ($3) that include up to two transfers in two hours. Customers can also pay their fares with their personal contactless debit or credit cards.
Stay in the Loop on CTA Service
Plan your trip using the Google Transit Trip Planner. Be sure to also check out CTA on Facebook or Twitter (@CTA) for system travel updates and alerts. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com.
Filed Under: Community
November 30, 2017 By

Public Notice from the Chicago Police Department

Filed Under: Community
November 29, 2017 By

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Insurance Open Enrollment Deadline: December 15, 2017

Source: Alderman Reilly Reports 11/3/17
Through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), 1.2 million Illinois residents, including 300,000 Chicagoans are now insured.
However, this year’s Open Enrollment period is the shortest it has ever been – it starts on November 1, and you must sign up by December 15. Don’t miss your chance to get covered!
8 out of 10 people who enrolled in health coverage through HealthCare.gov qualified for financial help to make their monthly premiums more affordable. Find out if you’re eligible for a discount here.
Remember all plans at HealthCare.gov cover free preventive care with no co-pay. This means free cancer screenings, check-ups and more. You won’t be denied for pre-existing conditions. Health plans in the individual and small group markets are required to cover ten categories of essential health benefits – including emergency services, maternity and newborn care, mental and substance use disorder services and prescription coverage.
Don’t miss your chance to Get Covered and share with your family, friends and neighbors!
Get Covered. Apply here.  For local help applying, visit the Illinois Coalition for Health Access.
Filed Under: Community
November 22, 2017 By

Giving Tuesday – November 28

#GivingTuesday is an annual global giving movement and the opportunity for our members to help others through the gift of your time, donations, goods, or your voice. As you consider your giving strategy, please consider our official RNRA charity partners and the RNRA itself. It is through your generous donations, membership voice, business sponsorship, and volunteer support that the RNRA can provide our great community advocacy. Go here to donate to the RNRA or here to become an RNRA Volunteer.

Filed Under: Community
November 22, 2017 By

Small Business Saturday – November 25

#ShopSmall was established in 2010 to celebrate and support small businesses in local communities. Shop Small and share your support for the spots you call your own, whether it’s your salon, gym, or favorite neighborhood restaurant. Places like these keep our community strong and vibrant, potentially employing your friends, family, and neighbors. Visit our Sponsor page to see the local businesses who are RNRA partners – and don’t forget to use your My River App to unlock deals available ONLY to RNRA members!

Filed Under: Community
November 22, 2017 By

November 2017: Upcoming Chicago Business Workshops

Source:  Alderman Brian Hopkins 2nd Ward Newsletter 11/20/17

Wednesday, November 29 at 3:00pm: The Essentials for Avoiding Employment Related Disputes

The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers FREE business workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall, 8th Floor. To register for a workshop, call 312-744-2086. A full list of upcoming workshops can be found here. You also can register by emailing BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org.

Do you own your own small business and want to receive helpful news and tips to help you out?

Filed Under: Community
November 22, 2017 By

Chicago’s Street Sweeping Season Extended to December 8

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 11/22/17
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) will be extending its annual street sweeping season to December 8, 2017.
The Chicago street sweeping season typically ends each year on the Friday prior to Thanksgiving. The extended sweeping operations will  allow crews to continue cleaning alleys, streets and catch basins until December 8, when the Department transitions to its winter sweeping operations. During the winter, approximately 20 sweepers remain available citywide to assist with major cleanups along Chicago’s arterial routes.
In 2017, milder conditions allowed DSS to continue street cleaning along curb lanes, center lanes and viaducts during the winter months. In January, DSS swept approximately 4,400 miles compared to 275 miles in January 2016. In February, DSS swept 6,000 miles compared to 1,500 miles in February 2016.
Filed Under: Community