Brendan Reilly

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reported attending the Nicholas J. Melas Centennial Fountain season opening ceremony, and noted DCASE art commission selections for DuSable Park and a Riverwalk mural via the Chicago Monuments Project. The newsletter also shared multiple major traffic and transit-related closure updates in the 42nd Ward, including ongoing State/Lake CTA station reconstruction impacts (State Street closures through June 19, 2026 and indefinite Lake Street closures), plus other bridge, ramp, and construction projects. Other items included CAPS meeting dates for several beats, a June 2 domestic violence resource table and clothing drive, and the June 5–7 Chicago Blues Festival at Millennium Park.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reports that the Chicago Park District has completed the resurfacing of Montgomery Ward Park’s playground soft surface using Menu Funds, improving child safety. In City Council action, Reilly voted to freeze the tipped workers’ minimum wage increases (keeping it at $12.62/hour for most restaurants) and the chamber also passed the Jesse Jackson Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance, which adds protections for poll workers and creates a permanent advisory council. Additional items: Reilly introduced resolutions on honoring Sam Sianis and seeking a public referendum for independent legal counsel for City Council, and Council unanimously confirmed Inspector General David Glockner. The newsletter also lists upcoming Memorial Day events, Sueños Music Festival street/sidewalk closures, CAPS meeting dates, and multiple downtown traffic construction closures including State/Lake CTA station reconstruction (State St closed through June 19, 2026) and other utility/bridge work.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) highlights no zoning/development/housing/transit/budget hearings, but notes a major community event: he met volunteers downtown at the Chicago River Day Cleanup and encouraged 42nd Ward residents to participate next year. He also shares a proposed Dog Friendly Area survey for Peanut Park (not yet approved) and provides numerous downtown event/closure updates, including the Lifetime Spring Half Marathon and Sueños Music Festival at Grant Park. Other major announcements include Memorial Day wreath laying and parade plans (May 23), upcoming CAPS meetings and a community meeting with 1st District CPD Commander Mannion (May 20), and significant street/CTA impacts from ongoing construction such as State/Lake CTA station reconstruction with State Street closed until June 19, 2026.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) shared a neighborhood alert for the J.P. Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge on Thursday, May 14 in Grant Park, including the race start/finish points and timing. The newsletter notes street closures beginning as early as May 13 at 10 a.m., with additional closures on May 14 starting at 6 p.m., and warns of increased traffic and reroutes with traffic control aides on site. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety policy items were included—this is a race/traffic notice only.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) is seeking resident input on a proposed Dog Friendly Area (DFA) within Peanut Park (a section of Maggie Daley Park), noting it is not yet approved and has no identified funding. He also highlights a May 15 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing for 401 W Ontario St (Birken Lofts, LLC converting to 57 residences with parking/open-space reductions) and 416-30 W Ohio St (a special use to license an existing 72-space parking lot under the Kennedy Expressway ramp), plus authorizes resurfacing of Montgomery Ward Park’s playground soft surfaces using aldermanic menu funds. Other updates include traffic control aides on Kingsbury Street during Chicago Avenue bridge construction, continued street/CTA and ramp construction and closures (including State/Lake CTA station work through May 22), and notice of upcoming CAPS meetings and community events like the May 9 Girls on the Run 5K in Grant Park.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) highlights an upcoming May 15 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on two development-related requests, including converting 401 W Ontario Street to a 57-unit residential building and granting a special use for 416–30 W Ohio Street parking under the Kennedy Expressway. Reilly also notes the May 1–Oct. 31, 2026 return of Clark Street Extended Outdoor Dining and ongoing street resurfacing in the ward, along with several major area construction closures (notably State/Lake CTA station work and Randolph Street bridge testing). Other announcements include the Polish Constitution Day Parade (May 2), St. Jude Memorial Police March (May 3), and Girls on the Run 5K in Grant Park (May 8).

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) reports that State Street is fully closed from Wacker Drive to Randolph Street through May 22, 2026 for the State/Lake CTA Station Reconstruction, with CTA bus stop eliminations during the closure. He also notes upcoming 42nd Ward street and alley resurfacing funded through his Aldermanic Menu, including several projects beginning in late April and early May, plus various short-term traffic and bridge/intersection construction impacts. Other major announcements include the St. Jude Memorial Police March on Michigan Avenue on May 3 and public assemblies at 100 W Erie (May 25) and at Michigan & Delaware (May 1), along with multiple utility and bridge-testing closures citywide that could affect ward residents.

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) announced a citywide Earth Day Parks Clean-Up on April 18 by the Chicago Park District and authorized Aldermanic Menu Funds for street and alley resurfacing in the 42nd Ward, with multiple grinding/reconstruction start dates beginning in late April. He also reported ongoing construction impacts, including the full closure of State Street from Wacker Drive to Randolph Street through May 22 for CTA State/Lake station reconstruction and related emergency sewer work, plus other local traffic closures tied to crane, utility, and bridge projects. Other updates include CAPS meeting availability (none left in April for the 1st and 18th Districts) and a Vital Farms food truck event at Pioneer Court on April 24 (11am–6pm).

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) shared an updated CAPS meeting schedule for the 18th Police District, noting there are no remaining CAPS meetings in April for either the 1st or 18th districts. He also authorized Aldermanic Menu Funds for street resurfacing in the 42nd Ward, with CDOT work beginning April 8 and additional projects pending CDOT permits. Other updates include citywide Earth Day Parks Clean-Up on April 18, street sweeping starting April 1, and multiple scheduled street closures and CTA/bridge reconstruction impacts downtown and along Lake/State/Canal/Wells/Grand corridors.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward authorized menu funds for street resurfacing projects in the ward, beginning April 8, as part of infrastructure spending to improve road safety. The resurfacing will affect several streets and alleys, with detour signage and work contingent on weather, while additional projects await CDOT permits. Other updates include ongoing street sweeping, scheduled crane lifts and bridge closures that will temporarily close streets and require detours.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward presented a resolution designating Navy Pier as the unofficial start of Route 66, which the City Council adopted unanimously. He authorized a portion of his menu funds to resurface several Lakeshore East streets beginning April 7, and the report notes upcoming CAPS meetings, bridge closures for testing and construction, and street‑sweeping schedules with multiple traffic‑closure projects slated through 2026.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward reports several street safety and traffic closure events, including the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle race, a public assembly near 806 N Michigan, a crane lift at 777 N Michigan, and multiple bridge closures for testing and construction. Additional closures and construction updates include filming for *Chicago Fire* near City Front Plaza, a helicopter lift at Willis Tower, utility work for the new Bally’s Casino on Grand Ave, Canal St reconstruction, IDOT’s Ohio/Ontario feeder ramp work, and ongoing Lake Street Bascule Bridge construction. Reilly also thanked poll workers, announced a community blood drive on March 21, and noted future election judge opportunities.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward urges residents to vote in the 2026 primary election, noting that all polling locations remain open until 7 pm tonight and that voters in line by that time may still cast their ballots. He provides links to find polling sites, including the 42nd Ward early voting location at Lawson House, and offers contact information for election questions. No other meetings, policy changes, or development updates are mentioned in this newsletter.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward reminds residents that the 2026 Primary Election is tomorrow, March 17, and provides polling locations and hours. Voters can cast ballots at their precinct, the Supersite, or the 42nd Ward site at Lawson House, with all sites open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and late voters allowed after 7 p.m.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward reports extensive street closures and construction activity in downtown Chicago, including crane lifts at 15 E Oak, 600 N Michigan, and 840 N Michigan, as well as ongoing bridge and utility work for the new Bally’s Casino and the Lake Street Bascule Bridge, with closures expected through May and summer 2026. He also announces the Chicago River dyeing and St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 14, early‑voting sites for the March 17 primary, a community blood drive on March 21, and the Shamrock Shuffle race weekend, noting related traffic restrictions.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward announced a community paper‑shredding and e‑recycling event on March 8, co‑hosted with other officials, and reminded residents of early voting sites for the March 17 primary. He also highlighted upcoming public events, including the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Shamrock Shuffle race, noting extensive street closures and traffic detours in the 42nd Ward and surrounding areas. Additionally, Reilly briefed on ongoing construction projects—such as the Bally’s Casino utility work on Grand Ave, the Lake Street Bascule Bridge, and the Ohio/Ontario feeder ramp—providing timelines and detour information for affected commuters.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward announced that his office will be closed on March 2 for Pulaski Day and that he attended the memorial for Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. He scheduled community shredding events on March 1 and March 8, and early voting for the March 17 primary will begin on March 2 at Lawson House. Additionally, the alderman highlighted upcoming traffic disruptions from crane lifts and filming near Michigan Ave, as well as ongoing bridge and utility construction that will affect streets through May 2026.

Alderman Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward, reports no upcoming zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes. He highlights early voting sites for the March 17 primary, invites residents to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and two free community shredding events, and notes a virtual public hearing on the CPD consent decree. Additional updates include scheduled traffic closures for helicopter lifts, film shoots, and ongoing bridge and utility construction affecting streets such as State, Canal, and Grand Avenue.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward reported that the Committee on Finance convened to discuss the impact of Cook County’s delayed property tax bills, and he introduced a measure urging the county to reimburse the City and Chicago Public Schools for the $9 million lost in interest and the $1.8 billion short‑term loan taken by CPS. The measure is a policy change aimed at addressing fiscal losses caused by the broken tax‑billing system. Other highlights include the office’s holiday closure, the start of early voting for the March primary, invitations to the St. Patrick’s Day parade, community shredding events, and several traffic‑closure updates across downtown.

Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward announces that early voting for the March 17 primary begins February 12 at the new Election Supersite and the Board of Elections Office, with extended hours until March 8 and March 16. He invites residents to join him in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 14 and notes upcoming CAPS meetings, a Taylor Swift‑themed art installation at Pioneer Court, and a seniors feedback survey for the 2027 Area Plan on Aging. The newsletter also lists numerous traffic closures and construction projects in the ward, including filming restrictions, Bally’s Casino utility work, CTA station reconstruction, and bridge construction updates.