Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reports CDOT is installing pilot bus-lane markings on northbound Michigan Avenue and that CTA Green and Pink Line service will be suspended between Clinton and Clark/Lake from October 13–26 for Lake Street Bridge work, with shuttle buses provided. The newsletter also details upcoming street closures and construction, including the Chicago Marathon and Columbus Day Parade, and notes the ward office will be closed October 12 for Columbus Day.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) hosted a Sept. 28 neighborhood meeting at 195 N. Harbor Drive covering 42nd Ward development, public safety, and local services, including updates on the City’s 2027 budget process (with Council “red lines” such as no property tax increase) and resident requests for EV charging, better park restroom access, and strengthened traffic enforcement on Lake Shore Drive using cameras. He also reported City Council approval of an amended parking meter concession transfer agreement to Stonepeak Partners, including a $75 million upfront payment with proceeds directed to pension obligations and provisions supporting future EV charging; other ward announcements included free Lime e-scooter and bicycle helmets, a Sept. 3 community shred/e-recycling event, and early voting starting Oct. 19 at Historic Lawson House. The newsletter additionally lists ongoing transportation/construction updates (e.g., Michigan bus lane markings, Randolph concrete/sidewalk closures, filming notices, and bridge lift schedule) and notes that CDOT began repairs to the Hubbard/Wabash stairwell rusted hazard, with repairs expected through spring 2027.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reported on ward-related community discussions and introduced/advanced multiple City Council items, including legislation honoring labor activist “Mother Jones,” a call for a special education hearing on the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law, and City Council work toward a proposed sale of the city’s parking meter system (vote scheduled at the next full City Council meeting). He also shared updates on ward safety and infrastructure, including ongoing sewer rehabilitation and CDOT sidewalk/curb-lane repairs on Upper Randolph, plus progress on a Hubbard/Wabash stairwell safety repair and related closures. Other updates included CTA and street construction/traffic changes (including State/Lake station reconstruction bus stop eliminations and temporary CTA #22 stop adjustments) and announcements such as a 42nd Ward paper shredding/e-recycling event on Oct. 3 and CAPS meeting status.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) met with residents of the 360 E. Randolph condo association on Sept. 15 to discuss neighborhood priorities, ward development, infrastructure, public safety, and the City budget, including downtown business recovery, building permits, local regulations for dogs/scooters/e-bikes/pedicabs, and ongoing CDOT work on Randolph Street. He also reported CDOT began construction on the rusted E. Hubbard St. and N. Wabash Ave. stairwell after pedestrian-safety concerns, and provided updates on city services and street projects (including sewer connection work on Orleans St., CIPP sewer rehab through Jan. 2027, and CDOT resurfacing and Cityfront Plaza Drive repairs underway). Other major items include remarks at The Big Jump on Sept. 18 and the second annual Chicago River Swim on Sept. 20, plus upcoming Chicago Lights tutoring volunteer recruitment and a community shred/e-recycling event on Oct. 3.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) pressed Bally’s representatives at the Sept. 9 Committee on License and Consumer Protection hearing to explain a temporary construction delay for the River West casino hotel and amenities, focusing on financial stability, transparency, labor commitments, and City obligations including police and fire pension funding. He also met residents of 400 E. Randolph Condominium to discuss community priorities, public safety, transit, and budget concerns. Other updates include Mexican Independence Day event access/traffic changes, upcoming CDOT bridge work on the State Street bascule bridge, local CDOT and sewer/construction closures and repairs, and ward announcements such as a Sept. 15 CAPS meeting schedule and a Oct. 3 community shred/e-recycling event.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reported that he met with the 340 On the Park Condominium Association on September 1 to discuss ward-wide development and infrastructure updates, and noted his office’s closure for Labor Day (Sept. 7). The newsletter mainly provides upcoming 42nd Ward construction and traffic/safety-related updates, including a Hubbard St. stairwell closure for repairs (through spring 2027), CDOT work on the State Street bascule bridge (Sept. 14–17), Randolph Street bridge deck repairs (starting Sept. 8), and multiple sewer and resurfacing projects. Other major announcements/events include the Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park (Sept. 3–6), Great American Lobster Fest at Navy Pier (Sept. 5–6), Bike the Drive (Sept. 6), and CTA/road closure details for the State/Lake reconstruction and Clark & Kinzie CTA stop changes through Oct. 2026.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) highlights a City Hall meeting featuring a Taiwan youth delegation: on Aug. 24, Reilly welcomed 12 Taiwanese university students as part of the OCAC 2026 Taiwan Youth and Overseas Expatriate Bridging Program. The newsletter also lists 42nd Ward updates including upcoming ward events (Chicago House Music Festival, Panda Fest, and Navy Pier fireworks) and several transportation/streets changes and construction notices (CDOT/CTA-related closures, sewer rehab start with CIPP work into Jan. 2027, and menu-funded resurfacing on multiple streets).
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) announced two downtown retail openings—the JPMorganChase Financial Center at 830 North Michigan Avenue (Aug. 17) and a Barnes & Noble at 150 North State Street (Aug. 19)—highlighting new jobs and investment in the ward and efforts to reduce downtown retail vacancies. The newsletter also lists upcoming local construction and street/transportation impacts, including a lane closure for work on the Wells Street Bridge (Aug. 27), start of CIPP sewer rehabilitation with “no parking” areas, CDOT resurfacing on several streets, and ongoing CTA/road closures tied to State/Lake CTA station and other projects, plus a temporary CTA #22 stop change through Oct. 2026.
Other major announcements include an El Grito Fest Chicago community information meeting on Zoom (Aug. 24) and the Chicago Triathlon returning downtown on Aug. 23.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reports two ward-wide infrastructure surveys in August: a sidewalk assessment for trip hazards and a street-sign/sign-pole survey for missing or damaged items, with 311 requests submitted and CDOT asked to inspect and repair. The newsletter also notes several ongoing street/transportation impacts in the ward, including CDOT-funded resurfacing (Aug. 18–21, weather dependent), repairs tied to the Hubbard Street stairwell closure through Summer 2027, and major transit-related closures/stop changes around State/Lake and other work zones.
Other major announcements include Chicago’s Air and Water Show Aug. 15–16 (no 42nd Ward street closures), the signing of Illinois SB 3925 to create a one-time Home Equity Assurance flood-damage rebate program, and a Cook County Sheriff hiring webinar for community leaders on Aug. 19 (plus a free Sept. 9 dementia community event).
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) highlighted the virtual kickoff for a SplitSec gunshot detection pilot in the 42nd Ward, offering eligible Android residents a no-cost two-month trial and focusing on a privacy-protecting app that can alert emergency responders with one tap. Other notable announcements include the return of the Chicago Air and Water Show on Aug. 15–16 along the lakefront (with no 42nd Ward street closures) and a statewide back-to-school sales tax holiday Aug. 5–14. Reilly also shared multiple district updates on upcoming CAPS beat meetings and ongoing 42nd Ward traffic closures/construction (e.g., IDOT ramp closures Aug. 7–10, crane work at 363 W. Erie on Aug. 10, and CTA/road closures tied to station and street repair projects).
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) announced completion of a long-delayed sidewalk repair at 440 North State Street, removing a steep, hazardous slope to improve accessibility and pedestrian safety. He also highlighted the groundbreaking of a 500 North Michigan Avenue office-to-residential conversion that will create 320 new homes, and invited residents to a two-month, no-cost gunshot detection pilot program using SplitSec AI after the ShotSpotter discontinuation.
Other major updates include Lollapalooza returning to Grant Park July 30–August 2 with extensive street/sidewalk closures, plus reminders about upcoming public safety/CAPS information, free Brookfield Zoo tickets, and various CTA and CDOT construction/traffic changes.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) highlighted neighborhood investments and approvals including ribbon-cutting for the resurfaced children’s playground at Montgomery Ward Park using Aldermanic Menu Funds, and a ribbon-cutting for the adaptive reuse conversion at 111 W. Illinois St. that adds 150+ new housing units. He also announced a new two-month, no-cost gunshot detection pilot for 42nd Ward residents after the City ended ShotSpotter, with a virtual kickoff on Aug. 3. Other major updates include Lollapalooza returning to Grant Park July 30–Aug. 2 with extensive street/sidewalk closures and service disruptions, plus multiple roadway/CTA construction and utility work notices.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) highlighted several River North updates rather than zoning or housing meetings: Taste of River North runs today and tomorrow with Wells Street traffic and nearby parking prohibited, and he invited residents to a July 22 ribbon-cutting at Montgomery Ward Park for a resurfaced playground. He also promoted a two-month gunshot detection technology pilot after the city ended ShotSpotter, including a virtual kickoff on August 3. The newsletter adds CAPS meeting dates and a range of upcoming transportation and street closure notices tied to CTA/state projects and construction, plus events like the July 25 Galloway Lecture at Fourth Presbyterian Church.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) invites residents to a July 22 ribbon-cutting at Montgomery Ward Park, noting he allocated Aldermanic Menu Funds to fully resurface the playground’s soft surface. He also announced a new 42nd Ward gunshot detection pilot to replace ShotSpotter, with a virtual kickoff on August 3. Other updates include upcoming CAPS meetings in the 18th District, multiple July street/CTA closure notices for construction and crane lifts, and Taste of Chicago running in Grant Park through July 12 with a fireworks/drone show on July 10.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reports that, after a July 1 shooting in River North, Cook County Sheriff Dart is deploying additional seasoned deputies downtown as part of the Community Safety Team for the July 4 weekend. The newsletter also notes Reilly’s office will be closed July 3 for Independence Day and lists multiple neighborhood transportation and construction impacts (e.g., crane lift closures at 218 W Kinzie; lane closures for Randolph and Grand Ave near Bally’s; longer-term closures tied to the State/Lake CTA reconstruction and Canal St reconstruction through late 2026). Other updates include July CAPS meetings for several beats, and Navy Pier’s extended July 4 fireworks show at 10 p.m.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) issued a statement on a July 1 shooting near State and Grand in River North, where a 30-year-old was killed and a 65-year-old was injured by a stray bullet. He said he has requested increased late-night CPD presence downtown from 18th District Commander Bielfeldt, including a significant police presence over the July 4th weekend, and will coordinate with fellow aldermen on securing additional overnight resources.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) allocated Aldermanic Menu Funds to install new street and pedestrian lighting on Hubbard Street (from Clark Street to State Street), with 25 traditional street lights and 10 pedestrian lights completed following resident and business concerns. The newsletter also highlights major city events and public service items, including the Millennium Park Summer Film Series starting June 30 (free weekly Tuesday screenings) and the 42nd Ward office closure on July 3 for Independence Day. Other updates include multiple planned construction and traffic closures, including crane lifts, utility work, CTA/State Street reconstruction impacts, Canal Street reconstruction continuing through late 2026, and ongoing Lake Street Bascule Bridge work.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reported that his office is closed on June 19 for Juneteenth, and that his ordinance to install honorary “Barack Hussein Obama Way” street signs on Wabash Avenue was referred to the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. He also reintroduced an ordinance to establish an Office of Legislative Counsel for City Council and voted on unsuccessful measures related to sweepstakes machines and teen “takeover”/drag racing penalties. The newsletter also lists multiple upcoming street and CTA/roadway construction closures, including State/Lake CTA station reconstruction, Canal St reconstruction continuing through late 2026, and utility work and ramp closures in the 42nd Ward and nearby areas.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reported that the Committee on Public Safety held a hearing on the Cook County electronic monitoring (EM) system run by the Chief Judge’s office, highlighting that 8% of people on EM are lost or unaccounted for and that nearly one third of those missing face charges for violent crimes. He urged Cook County and the Illinois General Assembly to reform the system to better protect Chicagoans. The rest of the newsletter focused on non-policy updates, including the start of the Millennium Park Summer Music Series and weekly Ald. Reilly office hours at the SOAR Farmers Market, plus multiple scheduled traffic closures and construction updates (e.g., at State/Lake CTA station, Superior St utility work, and Canal St reconstruction) and a Juneteenth office closure.
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) highlights this weekend’s Chicago Blues Festival at Millennium Park and notes his office’s weekly presence at the SOAR Farmers Market starting Tuesday, June 9. The newsletter also provides major 42nd Ward traffic and construction updates, including ongoing State/Lake CTA station reconstruction closures, weekend feeder ramp shutdowns near the Kennedy Expressway, and Canal Street reconstruction continuing through late 2026. Other announcements include the first-time-in-several-years Pokémon GO Fest at Grant Park and the unveiling of 10 hyperrealistic sculptures along Michigan Avenue and Oak Street through November 2026.