Alderman Reilly's Illegal Billboard Ordinance Approved by City Council
December 19, 2008

The City Council voted this week to approve Alderman Reilly's ordinance to crack down on sign companies that erect and operate billboards illegally without the required city approvals and permits.  This ordinance increased the fines to $10,000 per offense for off-premise advertising billboards that are larger than 499 square feet.  There are hundreds of billboards operating illegally in the City, many of which are located downtown in the 42nd Ward, and enhanced fines for violations will help ensure that the City's ordinances and approval processes are respected and followed by sign companies. 

Kingsbury Alley Update
December 19, 2008

Alderman Reilly successfully resolved the "Kingsbury Alley" issue, a blighted and inoperable extra long private alley that runs east-west between Orleans and Kingsbury Streets. Representatives from the two condominium associations who owned the alley signed the property plats over to the Chicago Department of Transportation, and Alderman Reilly will sponsor the enacting ordinance to memorialize the official dedication.

The City of Chicago has a mandatory "construction moratorium" during the holiday season and winter weather conditions will preclude any large-scale reconstruction efforts prior to this Spring 2009.  However, at Alderman Reilly's request, Commissioner Tom Byrne of the Dept. of Transportation graciously agreed to perform temporary patching to improve the alley for the winter months until the permanent improvements commence. We are pleased to report that this temporary patching has been completed.

Alderman Reilly is looking forward to delivering a brand-new, fully reconstructed public alley to River North this coming spring.  

Development Project Update: Poetry Foundation at Superior and Dearborn Streets
December 5, 2008

The Poetry Foundation will be constructing their new headquarters at 720 North Dearborn Street, at the southeast corner of Superior and Dearborn. While some details are still being finalized, the overall design calls for construction of a 21,000-square-foot, two-story building, with the first floor featuring galleries, a reading room and poetry library to be open for public use, and the second floor containing office space for the Foundation. The design also calls for an open garden to be located at the building's entrance, and the installation of a green roof.

The existing building at this site is currently being demolished. New construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2009, with the building to be opened for use in the spring of 2010. This initiative is privately funded by the Poetry Foundation, a not-for-profit independent literary organization. For more information about the foundation, please visit www.poetryfoundation.org.

Join the 42nd Ward USPS Customer Advisory Council!
November 21, 2008

Alderman Reilly is working with the United States Postal Service to recruit volunteers to participate in a neighborhood-based USPS Customer Advisory Council for downtown Chicago's 42nd Ward. This Advisory Council with help local postal officials and managers to clearly identify customer needs for the purpose of improving postal service for residents and businesses in downtown Chicago.

Alderman Reilly is eager to work with the United States Postal Service to address the many challenges that local residents and businesses are experiencing with postal service in downtown Chicago. By working directly with the Postal Service and the USPS Customer Advisory Council, Alderman Reilly is looking forward to developing a keen understanding of customer expectations; resolving general service issues; improving community partnerships; and significantly improving mail service for the residents and businesses in the 42nd Ward.

Members of the Postal Customer Advisory Council will be asked to provide postal officials with recommendations and will be invited to assist Alderman Reilly's office with the implementation of solutions to help improve mail service. The next Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for January 14, 2009 at 6:00 pm at Fort Dearborn Post Office, located at 540 North Dearborn.

Please consider joining the 42nd Ward Postal Customer Advisory Council to help Alderman Reilly and the United States Postal Service develop creative solutions and fresh ideas to improve USPS customer satisfaction in downtown Chicago. If you are interested in joining the Advisory Council, please contact Nuntida Sirisombatwattana in Alderman Reilly's Constituent Service Office at (312) 642-4242 or via e-mail at Nuntida@ward42chicago.com.

#60 CTA Bus Will Be Returned to its Original Route
November 21, 2008

Alderman Reilly is pleased to report that the #60 CTA bus will return to its original route on Tuesday, November 25. The #60 was rerouted due to construction surrounding Block 37, resulting in inconvenient and infrequent service. Alderman Reilly has been working with the CTA to restore this bus to its proper route so that residents would once again be provided with more reliable and accessible CTA service.

Mayor Daley's Winter Preparedness Fairs and Home Depot Weatherization Vouchers
November 14, 2008

Winter is just around the corner, and Chicagoans will soon be faced with the challenge of heating their homes amidst rising energy costs. The Department of Environment is once again coordinating Mayor Daley's Winter Prepardness Fairs, and our office has a limited number of $40 vouchers available for the purchase of a variety of weatherization materials (such as programmable thermostats, filters, insulation and weather stripping) at all Chicago Home Depot locations.

The Fairs serve as a "one-stop shop" for Chicago residents to address their winter energy-related needs. Attendees will receive a free home weatherization kit, learn no-cost and low-cost ways to reduce energy consumption, receive direct access to a variety of Chicago non-profit organizations providing energy-related assistance, and have the opportunity to apply for a variety of utility subsidy and City assistance programs.

The Fair in closest proximity to the 42nd Ward will be held on Thursday, December 4 from 3 pm to 8 pm at Harrison Park, located at 1824 South Wood Street.

Save Energy with a FREE Light Bulb
November 14, 2008

Alderman Reilly, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and the Department of Environment want to help you save energy and money this summer. Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs are now available at Alderman Reilly's Constituent Office (one per person). In order to receive a free bulb, please be prepared to sign up with your name, address and email. These bulbs last up to 9 years and use of up 75% less energy. That's 10 times longer than regular light bulbs!

Feel free to stop by the Constituent Office during our normal business hours to pick up a free light bulb. For more information please visit www.citizensutilityboard.org or www.cityofchicago.org/environment.

Alderman Reilly to Crack Down on Construction Noise Violations
November 6, 2008

Last month, Alderman Reilly introduced new legislation that would significantly increase fines for construction noise violations. Per the Municipal Code, construction work is limited to the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (with the exception of emergency maintenance / repairs or city infrastructure improvement projects) - the current maximum fine for such violations is only $500 per incident.

In response to numerous and increased constituent complaints related tothe violation of the city ordinance, Alderman Reilly crafted new legislation that would boost fines to levels that would better ensure compliance by construction companies and subcontractors who willfully violate the law to meet deadlines.

Under Reilly's proposal, the maximum fine would increase dramatically, from $500 to $10,000 per violation. This increase is needed because the construction costs for most development projects in the Central Business District range from $200 - $600 million. The current maximum fine of $500 per violation is not an adequate deterrent when measured against the scale of these large projects.

Alderman Reilly's proposal will be heard next week before the Committee on Energy, Environmental Protection and Public Utilities on Monday, November 10th at 2:00 p.m. in Room 201-A at City Hall.