 City Surveillance Cameras Installed in Streeterville to Improve Public Safety |
Alderman Reilly is pleased to announce that two additional city surveillance cameras have been installed in order to help the Chicago Police Department better monitor East Ohio Street remotely. One camera is mounted at the corner of Ohio Street and McClurg Court and another camera was installed on Ohio Street, between McClurg Court and Inner Lake Shore Drive. The cameras ensure public safety monitoring of this area on a consistent basis and allow dispatch of officers in real-time. The cameras were installed on Wednesday, November 22 using Aldermanic Menu funds. (Camera installed at the SW corner of McClurg and Ohio) In 2017, the Alderman has taken many steps to improve public safety in Streeterville. In early July, Alderman reached an agreement with Mayor Emanuel to lock the Ohio Street Underpass overnight during warm weather months. The Ohio Street Underpass gate closure provides another tool to help 18th District Police officers during their overnight patrols of downtown and the lakefront from Oak Street Beach to Navy Pier. By restricting access to the Trail overnight when parks are closed, Police can better manage the remaining access points. Additionally, Alderman Reilly introduced an ordinance to establish a "No Parking / Tow Zone" on East Ohio Street to prohibit late night loitering, curbside "parties" and overnight parking. These new restrictions will assist the Police Department and ensure groups do not continue to loiter in the late night hours along East Ohio Street. The 18th District significantly increased overnight patrols on East Ohio Street and their overall presence in Streeterville, to ensure compliance with these new regulations. Alderman Reilly proposed these improvements in response to the tragic shooting that occurred earlier this year on Father's Day on the 500 block of East Ohio Street. The Alderman is committed to advocating for and securing more resources to improve public safety in the 42nd Ward
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Kerry James Marshall Mural on the Chicago Cultural Center Unveiled
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Earlier this week, internationally renowned artist and MacArthur Fellow Kerry James Marshall, unveiled his epic, large-scale mural on the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.). The 132-foot by 100-foot mural is the largest artwork he has ever designed or created, and can be seen on the building's Garland Court façade, between Washington and Randolph Streets.
The mural honors 20 women who have shaped the city's vibrant arts and culture landscape: - Susanne Ghez, Director and Chief Curator for nearly 40 years, The Renaissance Society
- Barbara Gaines, Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
- Jacqueline Russell, Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago Children's Theatre
- Ruth Page, Dancer, Choreographer and Founder, Ruth Page Center for the Arts
- Lois Weisberg, Longest-serving Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
- Maggie C. Daley, Longest-serving First Lady of the City of Chicago
- Jackie Taylor, Founder and CEO, Black Ensemble Theater
- Monica Haslip, Founder and Executive Director, Little Black Pearl
- Abena Joan Brown, Founder, eta Creative Arts Foundation
- Margaret Burroughs, Founder, DuSable Museum of African American History
- Harriet Monroe, Founder, Poetry Magazine
- Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Co-founder, Goodman Theatre / Dearborn Homes Youth Drama Workshop
- Sandra Delgado, Founding Ensemble Member, Collaboraction
- Jane M. Saks, President and Artistic Director, Project& and Founding Executive Director, Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media
- Barbara Jones-Hogu, Founding Member, AfriCobra
- Gwendolyn Brooks, Literary Icon
- Sandra Cisneros, Literary Icon
- Achy Obejas, Award-winning writer
- Oprah Winfrey, Cultural Icon
- Joan Gray, Dancer and Longtime President of Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago
The Kerry James Marshall's mural at the Chicago Cultural Center is part of the Chicago's Year of Public Art. Throughout 2017, the City of Chicago has unveiled the city's first Public Art Plan, presented exhibitions and series of neighborhood events highlighting the city's public art collection located throughout the city. As the year comes to a close, the city is also celebrating the completion of several new artworks as part of the 50x50 Neighborhood Arts Project, a citywide initiative that commissioned dozens of local artists to create new sculptures, murals and other public artworks in Chicago's 50 wards, representing a $1.5 million investment in artist-led community projects. Many of these works, including the sculpture to be erected in the 42nd Ward, are in the final stages of production or have been completed. The mural is funded by Murals of Acceptance, whose goal is to bring art to all people in a free public setting. Murals of Acceptance was founded by Chicago native, Kevin McCarthy and is supported by Marc and Lynne Benioff and by Patricia Arquette and David Arquette. The Chicago Cultural Center is the first and most comprehensive free large-municipal cultural venue in the country. Every year, the Chicago Cultural Center, presents hundreds of free international, national, regional and local artists, musicians and performers, providing a showcase where the public can enjoy and learn about the arts. It is currently home to the Chicago Architecture Biennial, which will run through January 7, 2018.
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Reminders to Help Prepare for Upcoming Cold Conditions
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As temperatures have dropped significantly this week, the City of Chicago is urging residents to be prepared as the cold takes hold and be aware of City-offered services and tips to stay safe this winter. Cold-Weather Tips
Motorists should take extra precautions to winterize vehicles and have necessary supplies on-the-go. Keep in mind, disabled vehicles or distracted driving can cause accidents, impact traffic and others or requiring emergency services.
As many are out and about for the holiday season, it's important to stay informed of changing conditions and heed warnings and advisories. Residents should know the signs and care of frostbite and hypothermia. Winter preparation information is available at alertchicago.com including links to other local, state and federal resources.
As the city braces for extremely cold conditions, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) makes these simple suggestions to help keep residents safe: - Avoid unnecessary trips outside-if you must go out, limit the time you stay outside;
- Wear several layers of loose, warm clothing;
- Keep your head, hands and feet covered when outdoors;
- Stay dry, because moisture can damage the insulating effectiveness of clothing;
- Pay extra attention to your daily needs: get enough sleep, eat high energy foods, drink warm beverages to help your body stay warm, and avoid alcoholic beverages;
- Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia: stiff muscles, shivering, puffy or swollen face, cold skin, slow breathing and mental confusion.
- If you go out into the cold, limit the time you stay outside. Break longer tasks into shorter ones, with indoor rest periods in between. Do not let children play outside for long periods of time.
Additionally, City officials encourage those seeking access to warming centers and/or experiencing insufficient heat, the City maintains a 24/7 network of sites (various social service agencies and select City facilities) that are available to residents in need of shelter. To connect to a location, residents can call 3-1-1 for immediate assistance.
Snow Tips
Residents should be aware of City of Chicago Municipal Code in which every owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or other person having charge of any building or lot of ground abutting upon any public way or public space shall remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure the sidewalks are clear of snow and ice for everyone's safety. We urge all to help senior or disabled neighbors with this effort. For more information, visit www.cityofchicago.org/cdot. Motorists should also not impede snow plow operations and be sure to pull over for any emergency vehicles. Also, motorists should be aware of the city's snow route parking restrictions and overnight parking bans in areas and read signage before parking on city streets. See the Streets and Sanitation website for more details and additional information at www.cityofchicago.org/dss. Information for Homeowners and Renters
The Chicago Heat Ordinance mandates that landlords supply heat to rental units during cold weather months. The Heat Ordinance mandates that during cold weather months, landlords supply heat to rental units or to any unit where owners do not have individual control of the heat. From September 15 through June 1, the temperature inside a rental residence is required to be at least 68 degrees from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and at least 66 degrees from 10:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Per the Heat Ordinance residents may contact 3-1-1 operators to file a heat complaint, which will signal an inspector from the Department of Buildings (DOB) to assess a caller's building and heating system immediately. Landlords face fines of up to $500 per day, per violation, for each day they do not supply adequate heat. The reason for lack of heat does not matter -- landlords must follow the law, and apartments must be heated.
The Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) encourages residents to act now to make sure pipes in homes are properly insulated and not exposed to freezing air. This includes pipes in garages and unheated areas of the home. If pipes do freeze, do not use candles or any open flame to thaw them; instead, use a hair dryer or heating pad.
The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) does not recommended using space heaters; however, if used, be sure they are UL certified and at least 3 feet from anything that can ignite. Use of a space heater in children's rooms should be monitored closely as children sometimes move them close to or into the bed with tragic results. If extension cords are used, they should be rated at 15 amps minimum and never put cords under carpet. With the added demand on furnaces and boilers, CFD also reminds residents are required by ordinance to have working carbon monoxide detectors to protect against carbon monoxide leaks from a heating system that could be fatal over time. To read the full press release, click here.
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Annual Winter Overnight Parking Ban
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Chicago's annual Winter Overnight Parking Ban on critical arterial streets is in effect until April 1, 2018.
There are 107 miles of city streets considered critical arterial streets, and the nightly ban is in effect between the hours of 3:00am and 7:00am regardless of the presence of snow. Violators of the Winter Overnight Parking Ban may face a $150 towing fee (minimum), a $60 ticket and a daily storage fee of $20. Vehicles in violation of the ban will be towed to Pounds 2 (10301 South Doty Avenue) or 6 (701 North Sacramento). Please click on the following link to see a MAP of streets that are affected by the Overnight Parking Ban.
Overnight parking restriction signs are posted throughout the designated routes. Please be aware of these signs indicating the parking restrictions.
There is also a separate snow related ban that affects another 500 miles of main roadways across the city and takes effect when there are at least two inches of snow on the street regardless of time of day or calendar date. For more information on the overnight parking ban and to view a map of streets impacted by the ban, click here.
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2018 CTA Budget Recommendations and Public Meeting Notice
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The Chicago Transit Authority recently announced their proposed 2018 budget. It preserves bus and rail service currently offered, and continues an important investment in modernization of new and improved stations, track repairs to speed travel times, new technology to improve the customer experience, and many other improvements. Additionally, the proposed 2018 budget is nearly $10 million less overall than the 2017 budget. The 2018 proposed budget also includes a proposed increase in the base fare of 25 cents. This is the first time CTA has proposed a change since 2009. No other major transit agency in the country has held the line on fares this long. CTA also proposes a $5 increase in the unlimited ride 30-day pass. To read the full press release, please click here. CTA customers and the general public will have the opportunity to provide comments at the public hearing: Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6:00pm CTA Headquarters, 567 W. Lake St., 2nd Floor
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Street Closures and Construction Updates
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Upcoming Closures for Navy Pier Flyover Project
Now through Monday, January 1, there will be a full closure of the Northbound Lake Shore Drive outside right lane, from the Chicago River to Illinois, and a lane width reduction of the Northbound Lake Shore Drive off ramp to Illinois/Streeter for pier demolition and reconstruction work.
For questions about this project, residents may also contact the Navy Pier Team directly at 312-464-0241 or by email at [email protected].
Van Buren Street Bridge Closure for Bridge Replacement The Van Buren Street Bridge, between Halsted and Desplaines, is currently closed to complete a much needed bridge replacement. The bridge will be closed for approximately a year, weather permitting. This project is being managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Traffic Impact: Westbound Van Buren traffic will be detoured south on Desplaines, west on Harrison Street and north on Racine Avenue to get back on Van Buren. Eastbound Van Buren traffic will be detoured north on Halsted, east on Jackson Boulevard and south on Desplaines to get back on Van Buren. Pedestrians should use Jackson to the north, Halsted to the west and Desplaines to the east. Noise Impact:
IDOT has determined that this work must occur overnight due to safety concerns. Alderman Reilly does not have purview over the operations or construction schedule, but has requested that IDOT do everything they can to mitigate noise.
Bridge Demolition involving the use of saws, hammers and heavy equipment for the Circle projects is beginning this week.
The majority of the work will be between the hours of 9pm to 5am, Monday through Friday and some Saturdays.
Demolition will take place during normal daytime hours in areas that are not directly over traffic when possible.
Work will not take place overnight between December 22, 2017 to December 26, 2017 and December 29, 2017 to January 2, 2018.
Traffic Impact for Wanda Vista Construction
Now through project completion, Field Boulevard from Lower Wacker to South Water Street will be closed. Please plan accordingly.
Traffic Impacts for 151 N. Franklin Development
Now through project completion, there will be a curb lane closure on Franklin, from Randolph to Couch Place, and a single traffic lane closure on Randolph, from Wells to Franklin. Fencing and traffic barricades have been set up for safety.
42nd Ward Construction Updates
To read the most recent construction updates for current development projects in the 42nd Ward, please visit the " Major Projects" page on Alderman Reilly's website.
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| Your Upcoming CAPS Meetings |
CAPS meetings offer city 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.
Beat 1214 will be meeting this week on Thursday, December 14 at 6:00pm at Bennett Day School, 955 W. Grand Ave.
Please make sure to check the details for upcoming meetings with your Police District's CAPS office. Some beat meeting details may have changed in 2017.
1st District: 312-745-4381
12th District: 312-746-8306
18th District: 312-742-5778
To find your district and beat, please click here.
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42nd Ward Website
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The 42nd Ward website is designed to help local residents, businesses and community groups find quick answers to questions about city services and programs. On this site you'll find links to the most requested city services and other useful resources located within downtown Chicago's 42nd Ward. Please visit Alderman Reilly's "virtual office" at www.ward42chicago.com.
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Office of Alderman Brendan Reilly
325 W. Huron St., Ste. 510
(312) 642-4242
(312) 642-0420 (fax)
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Office of Alderman Brendan Reilly
City Hall
121 N. LaSalle St., Room 300
(312) 744-3062
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| In this week's Reilly Reports | |
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