Chicago Bike Maps Now Available for River North Residents

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The Chicago Department of Transportation publishes a Chicago Bike Map each year. The 2014 bike map illustrates all the bike lanes throughout the City of Chicago, other routes that are considered good streets for bicycling, and locations for Divvy stations.

If you would like a 2014 bike map, please stop by Alderman Reilly’s constituent service office at 325 W. Huron St., Suite 510, Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm and Saturdays from 10:00am – 2:00pm to pick up a map and start bicycling safely today!

Ward Park Dog Friendly Area Dedication-Sept. 13th

298[1]Alderman Reilly is excited to announce the official opening of River North’s new and improved dog park at A. Montgomery Ward Park, located at 630 N. Kingsbury Street.


Construction of the new dog park began in June of this year, after Alderman Reilly secured funding for the project with Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

This dog-friendly area (DFA) has already been a hidden gem of the River North neighborhood, offering residents and visitors an open space where dogs can play and interact, leash-free, in a fenced-off open space. Improvements include a new entry and fencing, dog-friendly running surfaces, and a drinking fountain (complete with a water source at dog-level).  Humans can enjoy new benches and ADA accessibility.  The A. Montgomery Ward Park now has one of the best dog parks in the entire city!

Alderman Reilly looks forward to enjoying the new dog park with residents of the 42nd Ward at the Official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

 

Please join Alderman Reilly, Max and Buster (the Alderdogs of the 42nd Ward) in celebrating the opening of the dog park:

Saturday, September 13, 2014, 11:00am

A. Montgomery Ward Dog Park

630 N. Kingsbury Street

Chicago, IL 60654

Please note the new Dog Friendly Area (DFA) is located off Erie Street. A. Montgomery Ward Park which along the river and includes the children’s playground prohibits dogs at any time. Please be considerate, thank you!

“Chicago Fire” Continues to film in River North

Filming Notification on Kingsbury with Simulated Building Fire

Date and Time: Wednesday, September 3rd, NBC’s Chicago Fire will be filming a scene that includes simulating a fire in the building located at 678 N. Kingsbury. The production company is working closely with the Chicago Fire Department and the neighbors to ensure the shoot is done in a safe manner.

Location and Traffic Impact: Huron (between Kingsbury to Larrabee) will have a full closure. Kingsbury (between Superior and Erie) will also experience intermittent road closures.

The following streets will have a “No Parking / Tow Zone” from 3 am to 9 pm: Both sides of Kingsbury (from Superior to Erie), North side of Erie (from Kingsbury to 400 W. Erie), West side of Sedgwick (from Huron to Superior)

Support The Anti-Cruelty Society Aug. 15th-31st

anticruelty competition

Special Alert – State Street Bridge Closure Begins Aug. 13th

The State Street Bridge over the Chicago River will be closed beginning at 6:00am on Wednesday, August 13 through Saturday, August 23, 2014. This closure is required for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to complete the Riverwalk Construction project.  During this time, the State Street Bridge must remain raised for the contractor to construct a pedestrian under bridge to connect the path below. The bridge will be closed to vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

 

  • Northbound traffic on State Street will detour west on Wacker Drive, north on LaSalle Street, east on Illinois Street, then back on State Street.
  • Southbound traffic on State Street will detour west on Grand Avenue, south on Clark Street, east on Wacker Drive, then back on State Street.
  • Northbound bicycles on State Street will detour west on Randolph Street, north on Dearborn Street, then east on Kinzie Street to get back to State Street.
  • Southbound bicycles on State Street will detour west on Kinzie Street, south on Dearborn Street , then east on Lake Street to get back to State Street.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will also be rerouting buses as needed and will post signs at bus stops

 

9th Annual Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby to benefit Special Olympics Illinois

The 9th Annual Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby is coming up on August 7, 2014 beginning at 10:00am in front of the Wrigley Building (400 N. Michigan Avenue). Thousands of spectators watch over 60,000 yellow rubber ducks splash into the Chicago River from the Columbus Drive bridge in downtown Chicago and race down river towards the finish line. There will be entertainment for the entire family – face painting, games, free food and appearances by several sports mascots. Splashdown for the Duck Derby is at 1pm. All proceeds benefit the nearly 21,500 Special Olympic athletes and over 18,500 Young Athletes across Illinois. Ducks are $5 for one, $25 for 6 and $100 for 24, and prizes include a 2014 Chevy Equinox and an all-inclusive Apple Vacation!

For more information in “adopting” a duck.

 

Thank You River North!

DSC08569 Was this year’s RNRA Taste of River North bigger, yes, was it better, yes!

Thanks to all who attended, sponsored and supported our 13th annual Taste of River North 2014.  If you one of the tens of thousands who had fun and live in River North, we’d love to hear from you! info@rnrachicago.org or kjones@rnrachicago.org. The Taste is hosted by your River North Residents Association, a non-profit volunteer neighborhood association. We are always looking for new volunteers even for a 1/2 hour? Please consider helping us do what we do best and help our growing community.

 

National Night Out – Aug 5th

national night outTake the night off, bring your family and friends and celebrate National Night Out with the 18th District.  National Night Out celebrates police, community, partnerships and safe neighborhoods.  Meet your local Target team-games, prizes and give-a-ways! 

Tuesday, August 5th – 4pm-6pm

Family Style Barbeque

1160 N. Larrabbee –

18th District Parking Lot

-lego+movieAfterwards, join the 18th District Chicago Police for:

The Lego Movie

1000 N Crosby

Park Community Church Auditorium

6pm – 8pm

 

 

Get Involved with CAPS

CAPS meetings offer River North residents an opportunity to address crime and safety issues directly with the beat officers who patrol their neighborhood, as well as to provide ongoing feedback, which help the police to monitor crime issues. RNRA has a Public Safety committee headed by Bob Di Figilio, bdfiglio@rnrachicago.org.

PLEASE NOTEThe next 18th District 30-Sector CAPS meeting (Beats 1831, 1832, 1833 and 1834), typically held on the first Thursday of every odd-numbered month, has been rescheduled due to the Fourth of July Holiday.

The meeting will be held Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 7:00pm at the Access Living Center, located at 115 W. Chicago Avenue.

 If you would like further information regarding upcoming CAPS meetings, please call your Police District’sCAPS office.

1st District: 312-745-4381
12th District: 312-746-8306
18th District: 312-742-5778

To find your district and beat, please click here.

Division Street Bridge Closure Now thru Mid October

divisionstbridge
Beginning June 30th, The Chicago Department of Transportation plans to close the Division Street Bridge over the North Branch Canal to all traffic until the middle of October 2014 in order to demolish the structure and replace it with an interim bridge until a permanent one is constructed. Built in 1903, the bridge is past its useful life and is in need of a full replacement. During demolition and replacement, all vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be detoured.
Traffic Impact during Construction: Complete bridge closure to all vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic required for approximately 90 days.