Past Events

The Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, from 8:00am to 11:00am, and will run along State Street, from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street.  The parade will be broadcast live on VPOD-TV 59.3 and on VPOD-TV’s Roku station. This year’s lineup includes a variety of marching bands, floats, specialty units, and much more. To view the complete 2021 lineup click here. To accommodate the parade, the following street closures will take place: • State Street, between Washington and…

The event will include presentations by each of the bidders for the Chicago casino as well as an opportunity for public questions and comments. The program will be livestreamed.  Additionally up to 200 members of the public will be randomly selected to attend the event in-person. If you are interested in attending in-person, please CLICK HERE To livestream the presentation on the day of the event, please CLICK HERE CLICK HERE To see RNRA's response to the proposal at Chicago's Tribune…

Bring your hideous, most horrendous, fugliest Christmas sweater to our Ugly Sweater Bash! The uglier, the better because your crime against fashion give you the chance to win a prize for ugliest sweater! Hilarious sweaters, an ugly sweater contest, drinks, live music and more sounds like a killer holiday party combination, doesn’t it? So hit the thrift store and come on down! $10 cover per person. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. Enter to win a happy hour…

Ring in 2022 with us! The Brasserie will offer an elevated à la carte menu, featuring meal enhancements such as caviar and truffle chips, seared scallops, and Wagyu ribeye beef. The rich menu is only to be outdone by the rare and iconic selection of high-end champagnes and spirits, courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Chicago’s collection. Late night light bites Waldorf Astoria style – duck wings, flatbreads, and shaved truffles, and more. Seatings are available from 5:00-11:00pm. Live music from the Champagne Allstars…

New Year’s Eve 2022 at Howl at the Moon Chicago! Our variety of packages offer you and your friends everything you need to kiss 2021 goodbye, and start the New Year having a blast. It will be the biggest New Year’s Eve party in all of Chicago! 2022 will not know what hit it. Come to Chicago’s best New Year’s Eve party! For more information, Click Here.  

Ring in 2022 with our Last Naughty Night New Year’s Eve Party. You will feast your eyes, ears and stomachs with all the indulgences you desire before you commit to #NEWYEARNEWYOU. Your experience will include preferred seating to listen to Chicago based DJ Avi Sic and view some of the city's best Go-Go dancers. All reservations are per person and will include a glass of champagne, specialty cocktail and NYE inspired shooter. Each reservation will be entered in to our "Win a…

New Year's Eve 2022 9pm to Last Call $90 Presale Tickets Premium Drink Package | Passed Appetizers | Champagne Toast | DJ | Photographer CLICK HERE for tickets: Email RSVP@4Cbars.com for Table Packages    

The City announced plans to welcome in the New Year with a 1.5-mile-long midnight fireworks display along the lakefront and Chicago River. These will be the largest fireworks display the City’s ever had and will be accompanied by a live simulcast from WGN. This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic still threatening the health and safety of Chicago residents, the City has introduced health guidelines that will encourage visitors and residents alike to celebrate safely. Promptly at midnight, a fireworks display choreographed…

Keep the bubbles and the 2022 celebration flowing at brunch with everlasting rosé and live music to ring in the new year. Seatings and live music from the Champagne Allstars are available from 10:00am-2:00pm. Time: 1/1/22 10:00am-2pm Location: The Brasserie at the Waldorf Astoria 11 E. Walton Street For more information and reservations, CLICK HERE.

Join Sheriff Tom Dart  for Straight Talk on Electronic Monitoring on Monday, January 10 at 5:30pm on Zoom. Submit questions and hear from the Cook County Sheriff on the latest data on electronic monitoring - who's on it, why they're placed on it, and how to fix it. Please sign-up for the webinar using this link and submit your questions.  

In April 2021, the Law Department filed a public nuisance case against the Eurostar Hotel. The case was resolved via the Mayor’s License Discipline Commission, resulting in Eurostar paying a $10,000 fine and agreeing to a Plan of Operation.  Earlier this month, shots were fired inside a guest room at the hotel. This incident confirms that the business has not made necessary steps to abate the nuisance and safety issues previously identified, and is not adhering to the agreed upon…

Click HERE to view the virtual program.  

Join Alderman Brian Hopkins for a discussion with Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and staff from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office on their continued work with the Vehicular Hijacking Task Force. This online webinar will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 5:00pm. To sign up for this webinar, and to submit questions for the panel, please click this Zoom link, or visit aldermanhopkins.com.  

It does not matter which 90’s trend was your favorite because we will be rocking them for 90’s Night at Howl at the Moon on Friday, January 21st and Saturday, January 22nd! That’s right, dust off your “Macarena” dance moves and that old Starter Jacket because we will be partying like it is 1999. We will have prizes, drink specials and all the 90’s music you can dance to. Don’t miss out!  https://www.howlatthemoon.com/90s-night/ Doors at 7pm / Show at 8…

Alderman Reilly and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are co-hosting a Blood Drive on Friday, January 28, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will be held at 355 East Erie Street. The Alderman’s goal is to collect 30 pints of blood at the event. All of the donations will go to local hospitals to help Chicagoans in need. Walk-ins are not allowed. Please schedule an appointment by calling 1-877-258-4825 or visiting www.vitalant.org (use group code ORD0SRAL). You can also scan the QR…

The most romantic day of the year is almost here, but we’d never kiss and tell. Celebrate with your favorite rock stars only at Howl at the Moon for our “Love Rocks” Valentine’s Day Party! We will have drink specials, giveaways, date night packages, live music and so much more. Flying solo like a free bird? Don’t stop believin’, after all, life is made of small moments like this!  https://www.howlatthemoon.com/valentines-day-party/

Saturday, February 12 - Monday, February 14 Waldorf Astoria 11 E Walton Street Chicago, IL 60611 Celebrate love with exquisite Valentine's dinner specials on Saturday, February 12th & Sunday, February 13th at the Brasserie! Then on Valentine's Day, Monday, February 14th, the Brasserie is offering a three-course prix fixe in addition to our ala carte menu to celebrate with your love. First Course Acadian Pearl Oysters, Green Apple Mignonette Or Root Vegetable Salad, Fromage Blanc, Crispy onion Second Course Lobster…

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.