Past Events

The Chicago Police Department is hosting a Bowl with a Cop event Tuesday, February 22 from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm at Diversey Bowl, located at 2211 W. Diversey. Walk-ins are welcome, however, registration begins at 5 pm. Please register using this link. If you have any questions, please contact Officer Welbel at 312-533-0956, or Officer Jackson at 312-590-1641.

Join The Old Town Merchants and Residents Association on Thursday, February 24th for a virtual update from local elected officials: Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) and Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. (27th Ward). Please feel free to submit questions for the Aldermen ahead of the event: either in your Zoom registration, or by emailing OTMRA@OldTownChicago.org.  

St. James Cathedral is proud to present the world-renowned ensemble VOCES8 live in concert for their official Chicago debut on Friday, March 4, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. The program, Lux Aeterna, features music by Byrd, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, Paulus, and more! Tickets can be purchased here.  

Click here for a PDF flyer to print, post and share.      

The City of Chicago Law Department recently filed a second public nuisance disciplinary case against Eurostar Magnificent Mile Hotel, located at 660 North State Street, the details of which were reported in Reilly Reports on December 17, 2021. The next status meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 9:30 AM.    The Rules and other information about the MLDC hearings being conducted on the Cisco Webex platform are available on BACP’s website. If you wish to stay up to date on the matter,…

Dear Neighbors,River North Residents Association’s strong opposition to Bally’s casino proposal for the Tribune Publishing site is set forth in our December 3, 2021 letter to 27th Ward Alderman Burnett, 42nd Ward Alderman Reilly, and 2nd Ward Alderman Hopkins. RNRA’s letter, which may be accessed HERE, describes significant negative impacts that a large-scale entertainment complex would have on traffic, public safety and quality of life for thousands of residents in the densely populated surrounding area.On March 22, the City of Chicago announced the selection of three finalists, one of which will…

Choral, Marlena Novak & Jay Yim – Photography Courtesy of Art on theMart Kicking off a new year of programming is the premiere of two climate change-themed projections. ‘Choral’ by Marlena Novak and Jay Yim spotlights marine life while ‘Floe’ by Carrie Hanson, featuring contemporary dance company The Seldoms, marks the first of Art on theMART’s Year of Chicago Dance projections. The program, presented in partnership with Shedd Aquarium, premieres on April 9 at 8:30 p.m. and will run twice nightly at 8:30 and 9 p.m. through June 29. Want to watch the program from…

CLICK HERE for more information. CLICK HERE for PDF to print, post, and share.    

Join Commander Jon Hein, 18th District Officers and RNRA leaders for a 1-hour walking tour of River North hospitality districts.  Residents welcome! When: Tuesday April 26 Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Where: Meet at the SW corner of Clark and Hubbard

Live Stream Special Casino Committee Meeting Monday May 9 at 11:00 a.m. The Special Casino Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, May 9, 2022 at 11:00 AM, to hold a virtual subject matter hearing (no vote will be taken). The published agenda describes that the meeting will be held to “discuss the finalists selected to develop a casino in the City of Chicago”. A link to livestream the meeting will be added to the City Clerk’s website on May 9 at 11:00 AM.

PTS Corp. and Bio-Pharm LLC (the "Applicant") and River North Residents Association (RNRA) will be co-hosting a public meeting to discuss the Bio-Pharm/PTS proposal to operate an Adult Use Cannabis Business at 605 North Clark Street, the former Rainforest Cafe site. This meeting is a required first-step in the Special Use Application process for cannabis businesses. You may attend in-person or via Zoom. WHO: PTS Corp. and Bio-Pharm LLC (the "Applicant") WHEN: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 6:00p.m. WHERE: Maggiano's Banquets, 111 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago,…

RNRA encourages residents to REGISTER & ATTEND Townhall Meeting for Bally’s Casino Tribune site. When: Thursday, May 12 – 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Where: UIC Isadore & Sadie Dorin Forum 725 W. Roosevelt Road Registration: Required There will also be a livestream at:  https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/live.html Representatives from the city and Bally’s Corporation will be there to share additional information, respond to questions, and hear from community members. Ample public parking is available nearby on Morgan Street, just north of Roosevelt Road. ASL interpreting will…

GRI Holdings, LLC (the “Applicant”) and River North Residents Association (RNRA) will be co-hosting a public meeting to discuss GRI Holding, LLC’s proposal to operate an Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary at 612 North Wells St., Chicago, IL (the former Carson’s restaurant building).  This meeting is a required first-step in the Special Use Application process for a cannabis business.  You may attend the meeting in-person or via Zoom. WHO: GRI Holdings, LLC (the “Applicant”) WHEN: Monday, May 23, 2022 at 6:00…

Saturday - June 04, 2022 - 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Join RNRA and the Chicago Parks Foundation by volunteering to make Ward Park a cleaner, safer and more beautiful place to relax, play and enjoy nature.

The 2022 Wells Street Art Festival will take place June 11-12 on Wells Street between North Avenue and Division Street! This highly-anticipated Old Town neighborhood tradition showcases an impressive array of art from across the country, delicious food, and exciting local music. For more information, visit wellsstreetartfest.us. To print and post a copy of this flyer, CLICK HERE.        

Gilda’s Club Chicago’s primary fundraiser, the 24th Annual Awards Dinner coming up on Tuesday, June 21st from 5:30 to 9:00 pm at Galleria Marchetti at 825 West Erie Street. All proceeds will go to helping Gilda’s Club Chicago return to in-person programs. Tables and individual seats are available and we also have a silent auction up and running now at, https://event.gives/awardsdinner2022/items.  To learn more and purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.

July 8, 2022 Reilly Reports The City of Chicago in coordination with Bally’s Chicago is hosting a Virtual Community Meeting on Tuesday, July 19th at 6 PM regarding the temporary casino at the Medinah Temple, 600 North Wabash Street. Click here to register for the virtual meeting. At this meeting, Bally’s Chicago will present its plans with respect to historic preservation and answer questions related to historic preservation of the Medinah Temple, since it is a Chicago Landmark. This is in advance of the Landmark Department's Permit Review Committee review…

Save the Date!! Gilda’s Club Chicago will host a block party on July 23rd from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Food, Drink and Games will be available for all. Vaccinations will be recommended and masks will be required if entering Gilda’s Club. River North Residents can register for the Block Party and or donate to Gilda’s Club at https://www.classy.org/event/gildas-block-party/e411591

Boulevard Veterinary River North is the generous sponsor of our upcoming Power Wash of the Larrabee DFA. The Larrabee DFA will be temporarily closed during the cleaning. Signs are posted on the gates of the park as well. Check out My River North moble app for a special deal from Boulevard Veterinary River North.

On Thursday, August 18, 2022 USO Illinois, through the support of Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward and Boss Bar, gives summer its last “HOO AH!” by rocking the block at USO Clark After Dark. USO Illinois’ annual USO Clark After Dark block party celebrates America’s military service members and their families.  To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.

The ZBA will consider the Special Use application for the following proposed cannabis dispensary at an upcoming (virtual) public hearing on Friday, August 19 at 9:00 a.m. • PTS/Bio-Pharm – Proposed dispensary location: 605 North Clark Street Click here to learn more Anyone wishing to oppose the proposal should attend the virtual meeting on August 19th to provide public testimony.  • Public testimony is the preferred method of public comment. Members of the public wishing to speak must join the Zoom meeting at…

Alderman Reilly is hosting a Blood Drive on Saturday, September 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event will be held at 455 North McClurg Court. All of the donations will go to local hospitals to help Chicagoans in need. Donors will receive a $15 Holiday E-card within 5 business days, with a valid email address. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcomed. Please click here to register. You can also scan the QR Code on the flyer below to register.

Teacher, writer, and ethnographer, Devika Ranjan, leads a workshop to allow Chicagoans to share stories and write poetry as an ode to the Chicago River. REGISTER HERE.  

REI Co-op leads a workshop to allow Chicagoans to learn about the 10 essential items to bring when going hiking!  REGISTER HERE.  

Peter Nagle of the Chicago Botanic Garden & Urban Rivers talks about riverbank plants of Northern Illinois and what has been learned throughout the time working with Urban Rivers and helping build the Wild Mile so far.  REGISTER HERE.  

The City of Chicago will have its official tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, November 18 at Millennium Park (near Michigan Ave and Washington St) at approximately 6:30 pm, immediately followed by fireworks. The 109th City of Chicago Christmas Tree is a 55-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, donated by the Glisovic family of Morton Grove. Visit this website for more details.

The Magnificent Mile® Association will celebrate The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® this year on Saturday, November 19, 2022. The lighting parade will step-off at 5:30 pm from Oak Street & North Michigan Ave. Its centerpiece is the largest nighttime parade in the U.S. — a spectacular parade down Michigan Avenue. Led by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse of The Walt Disney World Resort, the parade features fabulous floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, celebrities, musical performances, Santa Claus, fireworks and more —illuminating one million lights…

The Public is Invited to Attend Two Upcoming Chicago Casino Community Engagement Meetings Temporary Medinah Temple Site Tuesday, November 29th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at VOCO Hotel, 350 W Wolf Point Plaza Building 1. Register Here. Permanent River West Site Monday, December 5th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Tribune Publishing facility, 700 W Chicago Ave. Register Here.

Reservations Required - Scan the QR Code on the flyer.