November 22, 2017 By

Traffic Advisory for 2017 McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday, November 23

Source:  Alderman Reilly Report 11/22/17
The 84th Annual McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, from 8:00am to 11:00am, and will run along State Street from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street.  The parade will be broadcast live locally and nationally on Chicago’s own WGN Channel 9 and WGN America.
This year’s lineup includes over 100 diverse and remarkable groups including Grand Marshal Ronald McDonald, Chicago’s favorite fun-loving bird and Parade mascot, Teddy Turkey, and an appearance by Santa Claus. To view the complete 2017 lineup, click here,
Several streets in the 42nd Ward will be used during the parade and will have various parking restrictions. To view a map of the parade, including step off, staging areas and disbanding areas, please click here.  To view a list of the parking restrictions, please click here.
To accommodate the parade, the following street closures will occur in the 42nd Ward:
  • State Street, between Washington and Randolph from 8:00pm Wednesday, November 22 to 2:00pm Thursday, November 23.
  • State Street, between Congress and Randolph from 8:00am to 1:00pm on Thursday, November 23.
  • Congress Parkway, between LaSalle and Wabash, from 8:00am to 11:00am on Thursday, November 23
  • All east/west streets from Van Buren Street to Lake Street will be closed between LaSalle and Michigan from 8:00am to 11:30am on Thursday, November 23.
Residents should allow for extra travel time during this event as the Chicago Police Department may enact other closures not listed above for safety reasons. There will be several traffic reroutes, detours and increased pedestrian congestion.  Please plan accordingly. Chicago Transit Authority reroutes are viewable here.
Click here to visit the official parade website.
Filed Under: Community
November 21, 2017 By

CDOT Traffic Alert: LaSalle Street Bridge Testing Requires Intermittent Street Closures from 9:00am until Noon Today

Source: Alderman Reilly Reports 11/21/17
The LaSalle Street Bridge over Chicago River will require intermittent closures for testing.  Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be impacted this morning, Tuesday, November 21 from 9:00am – noon.
To avoid delays waiting for the bridge to lower, motorists and pedestrians are urged to use the Clark Street Bridge to travel south, or Dearborn Street Bridge to travel north.
Alderman Reilly’s office learned of this required work at close of business Monday, November 20.
Filed Under: Community
November 17, 2017 By

3rd Annual Green Streets Initiative – Congratulations to our 2017 1st Place Winners & Runners Up

About RNRA’s Green Street Initiative – RNRA’s Green Streets Initiative encourages the creation and improvement of public space by acknowledging the owners and managers of properties throughout River North for outstanding achievement in landscape beautification. We collected nominations from the community for outstanding examples of residential, commercial and non-profit properties and then selected 3 finalists in each category.

We then asked our residents to choose their favorites in an online ballot!

Our 3nd Annual Green Streets Initiative winning properties were honored at our 2017 annual meeting on November 14, 2017.  Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and cast their vote.  
Congratulations to RNRA’s 2017 Green Streets Initiative 1st Place Winners and Runners Up!  

 To see our 2017 Winners click here.

Filed Under: Community
November 14, 2017 By

Lurie Children’s Annual Holiday Drive – Collecting through November 17th

Filed Under: Community
November 10, 2017 By

Join your Neighbors at RNRA’s 20th Annual Meeting and Reception on November 14, 2017

Join us at the Godfrey Hotel’s fabulous I|O Rooftop Lounge, on November 14 for RNRA’s Annual Meeting and Reception.

Pursuant to the Association’s Bylaws, the agenda will include the election of Directors. Please click here to view a list of the candidates who have have been nominated to serve on the Board, as well as information about the submission of additional nominees.

Alderman Brendan Reilly and Commander Paul Bauer will join RNRA leaders to update attendees on 42nd Ward development, 18th District public safety, local community events and many other topics concerning River North.

The festivities will include a special treat to celebrate RNRA’s 20 years of service in Chicago’s greatest neighborhood! Enjoy appetizers and raise a glass with friends and neighbors as we remember the year that was and preview the year to come.

The event is free, but space is limited and reservations are required.  Please make sure to RSVP.  See you next month!

Tuesday November 14 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Godfrey Hotel I|O Rooftop Lounge, 127 W. Huron Street, Chicago, IL.  

About the Godfrey:

Godfrey means peace and welcome; welcome to The Godfrey Hotel Chicago. Offering unforgettable style from the Cubist-influenced façade to the chic accommodations, each detail of this striking Chicago luxury boutique lifestyle hotel has been designed with the guest’s experience in mind.

Everyday life requires us to live outside our comfort zone; outside our element.

We find ourselves in surrounding places with a generalized design intent meant for mass appeal. At The Godfrey Hotel Chicago, we’ve created a rare spot that will make you feel entirely at ease. We offer a unique style with attention to comfort.

Filed Under: Community
November 9, 2017 By

“One Chicago Square” Proposed Development Community Meeting

Source: Brian Hopkins 2nd Ward Alderman Newsletter  11/6/17

On Tuesday, October 24th, JDL Development presented their proposed development for the parking lot located across from Holy Name Cathedral.

Please visit www.aldermanhopkins.com/onesquarechicago to view the entire presentation and complete a feedback survey for 2nd Ward review.

Alderman Hopkin’s  office will continue to solicit feedback, meeting with neighborhood groups and impacted residents before making any final decision on the project.

Alderman Hopkins thanks  all who came out, and to Loyola University Chicago for hosting the meeting.

Filed Under: Community
November 9, 2017 By

Ohio Place Dog Park – Temporary Closing – Monday 11-13 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Ohio Place Dog Park – Temporary Closing 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
  • Monday – November 13
The Ohio Place Dog Park will be closed to allow for Fall landscape work.  Closing the park allows this work to occur safely. During the closure, signs will be posted and the gates will be locked.
Filed Under: Community
November 9, 2017 By

City’s First Public Art Plan Advances and Shapes the Future of Public Art in Chicago

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 11/3/17
Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) recently released the City’s first Public Art Plan. The plan lays out recommendations that will help shape the future of public art in Chicago and shift how the city talks about and supports public art. The full Public Art Plan can now be downloaded here or viewed online at cityofchicago.org/yopa.
In order to guide a new vision for public art in Chicago, the Chicago Public Art Plan outlines a series of recommendations that are aligned to achieve the following overarching goals:
  1. Update Chicago’s Percent for Art Program
  2. Establish clear and transparent governmental practices
  3. Expand resources to support the creation of public art throughout the city
  4. Advance programs that support artists, neighborhoods and the public good
  5. Strengthen the City’s collection management systems
  6. Support the work that artists and organizations do to create public art
  7. Build awareness of and engagement with Chicago’s public art
The field of public art is continually evolving and expanding to include expansive, interdisciplinary and embedded artwork. The Chicago Public Art Plan acknowledges this and establishes that the process of commissioning public art must welcome creativity in all of its forms and offer broad opportunities for participation. The new plan is a means to advocate for a diverse public art ecosystem and to nurture art that has the potential to surprise, inspire, challenge and bring people together through shared experiences.
To read the full press release click here. To view the Chicago Public Art Plan and learn more about the Year of Public Art, visit www.cityofchicago.org/yopa .
Filed Under: Community
November 8, 2017 By

RNRA Green Streets Initiative – Vote now for your favorite property!

Vote for your Favorite Green Properties

2017 RNRA Green Streets Ballot

Deadline: November 10

Don’t miss the opportunity to cast your vote! Our “Green Streets Initiative” encourages the creation and improvement of public space by acknowledging the owners and managers of properties throughout River North for outstanding achievement in landscape beautification.

We collected nominations of outstanding residential, commercial and non-profit properties from the community and selected 3 finalists in each category.  Please vote for your favorites by no later than November 10.

The winners will be recognized at our annual meeting on November 14, to which all River North Residents are invited.

Filed Under: Community
November 2, 2017 By

Women in Law Enforcement Orientation – Saturday November 4, 2017

Presented by the Chicago Association of Women in Law Enforcement.  This orientation is recommended for candidates who have already submitted applications for potential hire by the City of Chicago.  Space is limited – RSVP soon!

Filed Under: Community