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In the News

Tourism is on the Rise in Chicago

May 20, 2013

 

Alderman Reilly was thrilled to learn that April was a record month for tourism in Chicago.    

 

Hotel occupancy in April was the best it has ever been in Chicago's history, at 78.8 percent.  This figure, announced by Mayor Emanuel and Choose Chicago this past week, is a 3.1 percent increase over last year's total of 76.4 percent hotel occupancy in April.  This number eclipsed the previous record high of 78.2 percent occupancy, in 2008.  Additionally, the average daily rate (ADR) for April was up 4.2 percent year over year, to $183.21 per night, and Revenue per available room (REVPAR) was up 7.3 percent, to $144.05.  

  

What this all means, is that direct hotel revenues in Chicago went from about $139 million in April 2012 to approximately $151 million in April 2013.  

 

All of the key indicators for the month demonstrated that the industry is back to pre-recession numbers - a great sign for our economy as well.   

 

Year to date numbers are also outstanding so far. Total occupancy has increased 1.7 percent from last year and on its way to becoming the best Chicago has ever seen since 2007. For the year, the ADR is $158.70, a 2.9 percent increase from last year, and total revenue from the hotel industry is the highest year to date that it has ever been, at $427 million.

 

This is a reflection of the increasing occupancy rates at the same time that there is dramatic increase in the number of hotel rooms available in the city. At present there are approximately 35,000 hotel rooms in the city, and more than 2,500 additional rooms are currently under construction- many of which are located in the 42nd Ward.


The strong start to the year is, in part, attributable to a regional winter advertising and public relations campaign launched by Choose Chicago to target visitors to the city during the winter months. The campaign was launched using resources saved from a consolidation of the city's multiple tourism efforts. This Summer's Leisure Tourism Campaign will begin May 20th lasting through August 3rd and will target seven strategic markets through television and digital promotions.

 

If you haven't heard, Chicago is a global cultural destination- for over half a million visitors annually!  The Cultural Tourism Department with Choose Chicago is responsible for increasing awareness and visitation to Chicago's cultural attractions, events and neighborhoods. In addition to operating two Visitor Information Centers, the department's four objectives are:

  • Position Chicago as a global cultural destination by leveraging the rich and diverse resources of Chicago's arts, culture, and neighborhoods.
  • Serve as a catalyst for communication and partnerships among agencies, organizations, and stakeholders in arts, culture, and tourism.
  • Enhance the visitor experience and orientation.
  • Establish metrics to measure and track growth.

Through Choose Chicago's work in driving increased leisure visitation and important international tourism outreach, we look forward to welcoming many new visitors to Chicago over these coming months where our city truly comes alive with our street festivals, concerts in the park and lakefront activities!   

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Washington Street Bridge Celebrates 100th Anniversary!

May 20, 2013

 


The new Washington Blvd. bridge in action. (from the 1913 Annual Report of the Chicago Public Works Department)

 

The current bridge crossing the South Branch of the Chicago River at W. Washington Blvd. was opened one hundred years ago on May 26, 1913.

 

The 100th anniversary for the Washington Bridge is May 26, 2013. Chicago Loop Bridges is sponsoring a free day ay the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum on that date.  Information can be found at: http://chicagoloopbridges.com/bridges12/SB12/WASH12-6.html.

 

This bridge has been present for most of the 144 year history of the river crossing at Washington Blvd. During Chicago's first seventy years as a city, engineers experimented with many ways to satisfy the conflicting needs of land traffic and navigation interests at the river. One of these experiments was the tunnel at Washington Blvd., the first built in Chicago specifically for wagon and pedestrian traffic.

 

Opening in 1869, this tunnel (and a second built at LaSalle St. that opened in 1870) provided an escape path during the Great Fire in 1871 that the burning bridges couldn't. The steep approaches, damp, and dirty conditions made the tunnel unpopular with pedestrians. Eventually the tunnel was converted for use in the cable car, and later, the street car systems. In 1910, the tunnel was rebuilt and lowered 9 feet as the larger vessels ran aground on the top of it. The Washington Blvd. tunnel was closed in 1953, ending 84 years of service.

 

The first bridge was installed here in 1891, when the existing swing bridge at Madison St. was floated in. This swing bridge was in use until 1907 when it was demolished for both the lowering of the existing tunnel and the construction of the current bridge.

 

Today the Washington Blvd. bridge stands as a monument to the metamorphosis of the Chicago-type bascule bridges from first to second generation.

 

This bridge was the first to include the ideals of the 1909 Plan of Chicago. Edward Bennett, co-author of the Plan, began collaborating with Chicago Public Works bridge engineers during the latter design stages of the bridge. That collaboration led to aesthetic considerations such as upgraded materials in the abutment walls, railings, lighting, and, most notably, in the bridgehouses.

 

Earlier bridgehouses resembled mid-west farmhouses. The Washington Blvd. bridgehouses incorporated more ornamentation and were clad in molded copper sheeting. While these houses are not as showy as those that followed, they were a step above what came before. These modest aesthetic features were added at a cost of about $14,000 or about 6% to the total cost of the bridge in 1913.

 

Technologically, this bridge involved innovations in two areas. First, due to the tunnel directly below the bridge, new foundation design techniques were developed and implemented here and used on bridges that followed. Second, features developed and patented in 1911 by Chicago Public Works engineer Alexander von Babo were incorporated into the design. The most significant of these design innovations was changing the location of the rack and pinion which made a striking difference in the appearance of the Chicago's bridges. The photo below contrasts the second generation bridge at Washington Blvd. with the first generation Kinzie St. bridge.

 

 2nd & 1st Generation Chicago-type Bascule bridges.

(Washington- left / Kinzie - right)

 

Unlike the other downtown bridges, you won't find a plaque on the Washington Blvd. bridgehouses. The key players in the design and construction of this bridge were: John Ericson, City Engineer; Thomas G. Pihlfeldt, Chief Engineer; Alexander von Babo, Engineer of Bridge Design; Clarence S. Rowe, Construction Engineer; Edward H. Bennett, Chicago Plan Commission Architect; Strobel Steel Company built the superstructure; and Fitzsimons and Connell Dredge and Dock Company built the substructure. The substructure was completed in a year (August 25, 1911 - August 22, 1912). Work on the superstructure began June 25, 1912 and both leaves were lowered into position simultaneously on March 22, 1913; pavement and sidewalks were the last items completed.

 

Today, it's hard to imagine the number of vessels that used the Chicago River in the first part of the 20th Century. During 1914, the first full year of operation of this bridge, a total of 9,540 vessels entered and cleared the Chicago River. The Washington Blvd. bridge opened 3,773 times in that year alone.  

 

The new Washington Blvd. bridge served as the finish line for the seventh annual Chicago river marathon in 1914. This event, a swim from the Chicago Harbor to various bridges from Wells St. to Van Buren St., was sponsored by the Illinois Athletic Club from 1908 to 1928. In 1908, the manager of the swim was quoted in the Chicago Daily Tribune, "If the swimmers can stand the odor which is said to come from the water they will be able to finish without much great effort." About 55 swimmers competed in the 1914 race.

 

Today, in semi-retirement, the bridge is raised only about 40 times a year, mostly during the Spring and Fall sailboat runs to and from Lake Michigan. About 14,000 vehicles and 9,500 pedestrians cross this bridge daily. Based on the available data, it is estimated that this bridge has been raised about 70,000 times in it's 100 years.

 

The houses may need some TLC, but the recent paint job on the trusses and new sidewalks make this bridge a good looking centenarian.

 

For more information, please contact Jim Phillips with Chicago Loop Bridges at 312-540-0696 or visit their website.

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Get Ready for Bike to Work Week, June 10 - 14, by Joining the Active Transportation Alliance's Bike Commuter Challenge!

May 20, 2013

 

The Bike Commuter Challenge is a FREE workplace wellness program to show employees a new perspective on commuting. This is a great opportunity for building interpersonal relationships within the workplace and creating a positive work environment for employees.

 

Sign your office up for the Bike Commuter Challenge today!  Teams compete for the highest percentage of bike commuters among similar-sized organizations.  

 

Active Trans provides team leaders with everything they need to rally the office: bike maps, posters, how-to manuals, and Active Trans staff are available to give bike safety seminars at your office.

 

The companies with the highest percentage of employees who log at least part of their commute one day during Bike to Work Week win!

 

To learn more, please visit www.bikecommuterchallenge.org.

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Last Week at City Council ..

May 13, 2013

 

The Chicago City Council met last Wednesday, May 8th, and approved the following measures:

 

Revised Ordinance Governing Water Rates for Non-Profit Institutions 

The City Council approved a revised ordinance that provides for a four-tiered system that will govern how much non-profit institutions pay for their water. This scaled payment system ensures smallest churches and non-profit institutions can provide critical services while taxpayer interests are protected.

 

The final proposal divides non-profits into four groups, based on the size of their assets.

  • Group 1: NFPs with net assets less than $1M will be eligible for a 100% exemption from water payments.
  • Group 2: NFPs with net assets between $1M and $10M will be eligible for a 60% exemption from water payments.
  • Group 3: NFPs with net assets between $10M and $250M will be eligible for a 25% exemption from water payments.
  • No exemption from water payments for those not-for-profits with net assets in excess of $250M.

Additionally, Disproportionate Share Hospitals' water exemption will be based on their net asset levels with a minimum exemption of 25%. The public museums' water exemption will remain at 20% regardless of net asset level.

 

Finally, all water accounts must be controlled by a meter, and the City will work with all the institutions to make sure that meters are installed appropriately, and will help them get a meter installed in the event that there are costs associated with the installations.

The agreement will be retroactive to the beginning of 2013.

 

To download the ordinance, please click here.

 

 

Lead-Safe Renovation Ordinance 

The City Council also approved an amendment to the demolition and renovation ordinance (Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 11-4) that aims to protect public health and the environment by reducing the risk of exposure to dust and debris that may be contaminated with lead-based paint or asbestos-containing material.

 

The proposed amendment will strengthen and clarify existing ordinance to reduce the risks of exposure to these materials during demolition and renovation. The ordinance will especially protect children, who are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of lead, which can cause learning disabilities and behavior problems. Inhalation of microscopic asbestos fibers can cause potentially fatal asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.

 

This amendment will require permit applicants to certify they will comply with federal lead-safe training requirements and work practices when conducting work that may disturb lead-based paint in certain buildings. Contractors who apply for renovation permits or architectural surface cleaning permits for work in certain pre-1978 child-occupied buildings must certify that they are in compliance with the U.S. EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, which has been in effect since 2010.

 

By ensuring that projects permitted in the city are performed in compliance with the federal rule, this ordinance will help to limit exposure to lead hazards and prevent lead poisoning before it happens. Further, the amendment clarifies the notice, fee, and disposal provisions in the current asbestos ordinance. Clarifying the notification procedures will ensure that the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is timely notified of such projects for review and inspection. By clarifying that asbestos-containing demolition debris must be disposed of properly, the ordinance will benefit anyone who might come into contact with the debris, from the workers and waste haulers to the general public.

 

Overall revisions to the ordinance include:

  • A clarification that buildings must be inspected for asbestos before being demolished and that the debris must be properly disposed.
  • Procedural clarifications regarding the timing and form of asbestos notifications submitted to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).
  • A new requirement for contractors to report compliance with already-existing federal lead-safe work practices before doing work that will disturb paint in pre-1978 child-occupied buildings.

To download the ordinance, please click here.

 

A summary of other measures approved and introduced at the May 2013 City Council meeting is available here. The City Clerk also provides access to the full video and detail on all the items from the Council meeting on the Legislative Information Center.

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Reminder from IL Secretary of State Regarding Recent Changes to Persons with Disabilities Parking Program

May 13, 2013

 

Due to a new law enacted by the Illinois General Assembly, Public Act 97-0845, significant changes have been made to the Persons with Disabilities Parking Program, which affect both new applicants and current disability placard and license plate holders.

 

New legislation establishes more stringent criteria for a person to park for free at parking meters in order to reduce fraud. The new two-tier system removes the ability for all persons with disability license plates and/or placards to park for free at metered spaces.

 

The re-certification for current disability placard and license plate holders began in April 2013. Enforcement of the new provisions will begin January 1, 2014.

 

To learn more about changes to the Persons with Disabilities Parking Program, please click here or visit the FAQ page.

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Ward42StickerSaleSave the Date! City Vehicle Stickers to be sold Saturday, June 1st in the 42nd Ward -

Alderman Reilly hosts a dedicated sales day at 42nd Ward Constituent Service Office, 325 W. Huron Suite 510

May 13, 2013

 

Alderman Reilly and City Clerk Susana A. Mendoza have partnered to give 42nd Ward drivers the opportunity to purchase their Chicago City Vehicle Stickers. On Saturday, June 1st the City Clerk's Office and Alderman Reilly will host a dedicated sales day at the 42nd Ward Constituent Service Office, 325 W. Huron Street, Suite 510, from 10:00am - 2:00pm.

 

The 2012-2013 Chicago City Vehicle Stickers expire on June 30 and enforcement begins on July 16.  In addition to the Saturday, June 1st 42nd Ward sale day, stickers are available at all City Clerk and Department of Finance office locations, at more than 400 community vendors and online at www.ChiCityClerk.com.

 

Chicago City Vehicle Stickers are $85 for a passenger vehicle and $135 for a large passenger vehicle. Annual residential parking is $25 and a set of 15 daily residential guest permits is $8. Senior citizens with a valid Illinois driver's license are eligible for one reduced rate vehicle sticker for $30.

 

Please note, new this year motorists MUST bring their renewal form with them when purchasing their stickers or a state vehicle registration card, insurance card or vehicle title, which contains the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Chicago City Vehicle Stickers purchased after July 15 are subject to a $60 late fee and drivers may receive a minimum $200 citation.

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2013 Chicago Farmers Market Schedule

May 13, 2013


FM


Chicago's Farmers Markets, presented by the City of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and COUNTRY Financial will sell fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers.

 

Farmers Markets Opening this Month:

Division Street - Division and Dearborn

Saturdays, May 11 - October 26; 7am - 1pm

 

Daley Plaza - Washington and Dearborn

Thursdays, May 16 - October 24; 7am to 3pm

 

Federal Plaza - Adams and Dearborn

Tuesdays, May 21 - October 29; 7am to 3:00pm

 

Farmers Markets Opening in June:

Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago and Mies van der Rohe Way

Tuesdays, June 4 - October 29; 7am - 3pm

 

Willis Tower Plaza - 233 S. Wacker

Thursdays, June 27 - October 31; 7am - 3pm


The full list of Chicago's Farmers Markets is available at www.chicagofarmersmarkets.us
.

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Chicago Department of Aviation Celebrates Military Appreciation Month!

May 6, 2013

 

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) recently kicked off its second annual Military Appreciation Month celebration to recognize active and former military personnel traveling through Chicago's airports.

 

Every day during the month of May, the CDA in partnership with the United Service Organization (USO) and airport concessionaires, will sponsor a series of planned events, programs and special discounts. Participating retail and food and beverage outlets will display signs offering 10-25 percent discounts at O'Hare and Midway to military personnel on Mondays and Wednesdays.

 

Tuesdays will be Donation Days for the USO. Passengers and airport employees are encouraged to visit the USO Centers at each airport and donate food items such as chips, water, candy, granola bars, as well as phone calling cards, DVDs, video games, eyeglass wipes, hand sanitizer and other personal care items for use by military personnel and their families traveling through Chicago's airports. Donation bins will be located at USO centers in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at O'Hare and in Concourse B at Midway. Passengers can also fill out "Thank A Hero" note cards to leave for those serving in the military.

 

A variety of live entertainment, from high school drill teams to blues and jazz bands and samba dancers, will also take place at both airports in celebration of Military Appreciation Month on Fridays from 2pm to 5pm. At O'Hare, performances will be staged in the baggage claim area in Terminal 1 and on the lower level arrivals area in Terminal 5; and past security checkpoints in Terminals 2 and 3.  At Midway, the entertainment will take place in the baggage claim area, as well as past security checkpoints near the Food Court in Concourse B.

 

For more information about Military Appreciation Month activities, please click here.

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BikeShareCity of Chicago to Launch Bike Share System

April 29, 2013

 

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will launch the city's new bike share system - Divvy - later this spring, with the goal of expanding to 4,000 bikes at 400 neighborhood locations over the next year.

 

The system is dubbed "Divvy" to reflect the nature of bike share, where members "divide and share" the use of the bikes.  The bicycles' distinctive "Chicago Blue" paint is the same color as the stripes on the Chicago city flag, and will provide a high level of visibility on the street.

 

Divvy will give Chicagoans and visitors access to a bike when they want one, without having to worry about storage or maintenance.  It also leverages Chicago's public transit system to help commuters complete the first or last few miles of their trip.  In comparable cities, half of all bike share trips are made to or from a public transit station.

 

Divvy will provide a convenient, easy-to-use transit option available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.   It is envisioned for short point-to-point trips, or as alternative option for a multi-mode commute.  Users will pick up a bike from a self-service docking station and return it to any other station nearest their destination.

 

The specially designed, heavy-duty bikes will be comfortable for all users.  Features include a one-size fits all design, upright handlebars, wide seats, hand brakes, and a chain guard to protect clothing.  The bikes feature headlights and taillights that automatically illuminate as the bike is pedaled.

 

Users will be able to purchase $75 yearly memberships or $7 daily passes, which will allow for unlimited trips up to 30 minutes each.   Annual members will be able to enroll online and receive a personal key used to quickly unlock bikes from any station.

 

Divvy stations will be placed near transit stations, employment centers, shopping districts, schools and other popular destinations.   They will generally be located on sidewalks or on the street near the curb.   The stations are wireless, solar powered and modular so that they can be easily installed.   Most stations will have 15-19 bike docks, with open docks at each station for returning bikes.

 

Divvy's inspired logo indicates a sense of direction and motion through a distinctive double-V ligature.   Marked on streets across the world, this double-arrow symbolizes the shared use of roads by both bicyclists and motorists.   In transportation vernacular, this symbol is often called a "sharrow."

 

Last year, Mayor Emanuel unveiled the Chicago Streets for Cycling Plan 2020, which calls for a 645-mile network of biking facilities to be in place by 2020 to provide a bicycle accommodation within half-mile of every Chicagoan.  Divvy bikes and solar-powered docking stations will be an integral part of this network. 

 

Beginning in late 2012, CDOT solicited suggestions from the public on where the stations should be to be located through the Chicago Bicycle Program website.  To date, Chicagoans have made more than 1,300 suggestions for station locations with more than 11,000 votes of support.  The siting process is continuing and locations will be announced later this spring.  The stations are modular and mobile, and can be moved or expanded in reaction to demand.

 

Initial funding for the program is from federal grants for projects that promote economic recovery, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, as well as additional funds from the City's Tax Increment Financing program.  The project continues on budget and schedule for a late spring rollout.

 

The system will grow in several steps after the initial launch of about 75 stations, expanding to at least 4,000 bikes at 400 stations in 2014.  The Divvy service boundaries are roughly from 63rd Street to Devon Avenue, from Lake Michigan to California Avenue. 


Chicagoans can find out more about the system by visiting  divvybikes.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/divvybikes.

 

Divvy, Chicago's bike share system, will also be creating roughly 100 jobs in Chicago, and are looking for qualified candidates to fill the following positions: 

  • Assemblers
  • Stagers
  • Inventory Specialists
  • Placement team members
  • Bike techs

To learn more, click here to view the official job posting.

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Registration Now Open for One Summer Chicago 2013

April 22, 2013

 

One Summer Chicago is a City-County initiative to provide children and youth between the ages of 6 and 24 with meaningful summer engagement opportunities.

 

One Summer Chicago 2013 includes summer employment for youth adults, as well as educational and recreational opportunities (e.g., day camps, arts programs and sports programs) for youth of all ages.  

 

The goal of One Summer Chicago is to maximize the availability of and access to summer programs for Chicago's young people to keep them safe and learning all summer long.  To achieve this goal, public agency partners from across the City and County come together to leverage their resources to provide the maximum number of high-quality opportunities for children and youth. 

 

More than 18,000 Chicago young adults ages 16 to 24 can gain valuable job training and work experience this summer as part of 2013's One Summer Chicago program.  Additionally, over 190,000 opportunities to participate in educational and recreational opportunities will be made available for young Chicagoans, ages 6 to 24. 

 

To help parents and children find and take advantage of these opportunities, visit  www.OneSummerChicago.org to look up and apply for jobs and internships through a common application.  Online registration and application for summer employment is available now through May 31, 2013.  The site also helps direct families to summer camps, organized sports programs, summer field trips to cultural institutions and other noteworthy locations across the city.


One of the new initiatives that will benefit youth long after the summer of 2013 is through a collaboration with workforce.io, which uses technology and networking strategies to assist young job seekers gain employment. Under this partnership, all 18,000 job participants will be able to build their resumes, establish personal profiles and work directly with supportive area businesses to lay the career planning groundwork that they will draw from throughout their working lives. In addition, 200 high school youth will be placed across city departments to gain valuable public sector work experience.


Of the 18,000 job opportunities 7,000 will be with after school matters, 3,900 will be with Chicago Park District, and 2,200 will be with the Chicago Housing Authority.

The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) leads One Summer Chicago in partnership with participating agencies including: Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Housing Authority, After School Matters, Chicago Public Libraries, City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Chicago Police Department, Mayor's Office of People with Disabilities, and Cook County Forest Preserve.

Notable private sector participants include the Chicago Community Trust, Bank of America, Boeing Corporation, McCormick Foundation, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, the Rotary Club, Chicago Cares, the Urban Alliance, Smart Chicago, and the
University of Chicago Crime Lab.

For more information concerning programs related to One Summer Chicago and all affiliated summer programs go to: www.onesummerchicago.org  or click here to download the official press release.

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Public Safety Update: Saturday Incident on Mag Mile

April 1, 2013

 

Dear Neighbor:

 

I am writing to provide you with some additional information regarding the very disturbing incident that occurred at the intersection of Chicago and Michigan avenues on Saturday evening. Please know that I have already contacted the Chicago Police Department to request a detailed plan for the 2013 Warm Weather Season, to deter these incidents as the weather continues to improve.

 

My office is working to schedule a meeting with the Police Superintendent to discuss this recent incident, request more police resources and gain a better understanding of his strategy to ensure Chicago's Central Business District remains safe and secure this summer for downtown residents and visitors alike.

 

On Saturday evening, large groups of teenagers converged on the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Michigan Avenue. According to the Police Department, there were approximately 400 youth in the crowd, with roughly 50 police officers originally detailed to the area. This large crowd gathering was orchestrated via social media (Facebook and Twitter) messaging, predominantly by teenagers and some individuals in their early 20's.

 

As the Police Department witnessed the crowd growing and becoming increasingly volatile, the Commander of the 18th District redeployed additional police resources from other areas of the District to Michigan Avenue. There was a substantial surge in police presence at this location when fighting finally broke out between different groups of teens in the larger crowd.

 

The Police Department reported that there were no robberies during the incident, and the multiple battery charges and arrests were fights that broke out between rival groups of teenagers in the large crowd that assembled at this location. The Police reported a few pedestrians received minor injuries when the youth were fleeing the Police and bumped into them on the sidewalk - but no pedestrians were targeted by the crowd.

 

Thanks to the swift response from the Chicago Police Department, a total of 29 arrests were made downtown on Saturday evening.

 

While we should always praise our officers for excellent police work resulting in arrests, it is just as important to prevent these crimes from occurring in the first place. This is why it so important for the Police Department to assign additional, high-visibility resources to our downtown commercial corridors during the warm weather months - especially at the start of the season.

 

I am most concerned about Saturday's incident, not only because I live just a few blocks from the area where it occurred - but because worry for the safety of the Central Business District has become a perennial concern for downtown residents and businesses. It's time Chicago commits to a permanent solution.

 

Although I do not manage the Chicago Police Department, I do take these incidents very seriously and will be aggressively lobbying Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent McCarthy for more resources, including additional foot patrols, bicycle police officers and more CTA police details in the downtown area.

 

I want to thank the brave men and women of the 18th and 1st Police Districts for their excellent police work on Saturday evening - aggressively managing this very large, volatile crowd of teenagers. They reacted quickly and professionally in response to this incident, and I am truly grateful for their service.

 

Unfortunately, a swift, professional response to these incidents is not enough. We need increased police presence and visibility in the Central Business District during the warm weather to prevent these events from occurring in the first place.

 

My goal is to meet with Police Department leadership this week for the purpose of securing a permanent commitment of enhanced police resources (and visibility) during the warm weather season, to help keep downtown Chicago a safe place to live, work and visit.

 

Once I have met with Superintendent McCarthy and his team to discuss their plan to prevent future incidents, I will report back to you with next steps. Thank you in advance for your patience as I work to resolve this very serious concern.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brendan Reilly

Alderman, 42nd Ward

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Federal Financing Sought for Continuous Walkway on Chicago Riverwalk

April 1, 2013

 

 

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has inviting the City of Chicago to submit a formal application for a federal loan to complete the Chicago Riverwalk along the main branch of the Chicago River.  The invitation moves the project to the last stage of USDOT's rigorous review process. The Chicago Riverwalk is the first project to reach this stage since Congress significantly expanded the USDOT's Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (TIFIA) program last year.

 

USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood cited the positive results of the initial review of the project as the basis to invite Chicago's formal submission to the federal loan program, a significant step in securing a federal loan to significantly cover the cost of the transformative development project, which will build a continuous walkway and recreational amenity connecting the lakefront with the heart of downtown. 

 

The TIFIA program provides federal credit assistance in the form of direct loans, loan guarantees and standby lines of credit to finance infrastructure projects across the country.  The City is requesting approximately $100 million from the TIFIA loan program, which will cover the vast majority of the project.

 

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has been working on the Chicago Riverwalk since East-West Wacker Drive reconstruction began in the 1990s.  The roadway was reconfigured to accommodate the expansion of the Riverwalk to promote a pedestrian walkway and activate the space as a public amenity.  The East-West Wacker Project included utility build-outs for the future Riverwalk build-out for the entire length from Michigan to Lake Street.

 

The reconstruction of Wacker Drive was funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration, and the Vietnam Veterans memorial west of Wabash Avenue was financed in part by $5 million in federal funds, both of which were secured by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.  Senator Durbin also secured $480,000 for engineering of the Riverwalk in 2005 and these funds will contribute to the current project. 

 

Senator Durbin's efforts and advocacy for this project were instrumental in getting the Federal Highway Administration to recognize this project as a more comprehensive roadway and pedestrian project to improve the flow of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians in a safe and efficient manner on the street, sidewalk and riverwalk.

 

In 2009, CDOT completed the first phase of the Riverwalk build-out at Michigan Avenue and Wabash, which was funded through Tax Increment Financing.

 

In 2010, CDOT issued an RFP/RFQ for the team to finalize the design of the framework plan developed through the city's Riverwalk Development Committee.   In May 2011, the chosen design team of Sasaki Associates Inc., Alfred Benesch & Co., Ross Barney Architects and Jacobs/Ryan Associates began work on the design plans for the next six blocks from State to Lake.

 

The Riverwalk design plans include conceptual ideas for each of the six blocks from State Street west to Lake Street with distinctive identities and purpose, thematically named:  The Marina (from State to Dearborn); The Cove (Dearborn to Clark); The River Theater (Clark to LaSalle); The Swimming Hole (LaSalle to Wells); The Jetty (Wells to Franklin) and The Boardwalk (Franklin to Lake).

 

The bridges over the river establish a boundary between each block, which allow for each to have a unique identity and landscaping.  Each block will be linked by the continuous walkway along the river, beneath each bridge.  The design of the blocks has considered the previous feasibility studies and the changing operations of the waterway.      

 

The United States Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers and other waterway stakeholders - community groups, commercial operators and the recreational users of the river - continue to play an important role in shaping the development of the Riverwalk plans.

 

To read the full press release, please click here.

 

Recent Press:

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Sun-Times

Huffington Post

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Alderman's Update Regarding Controversial Parking Meter Proposal

May 13, 2013

 

Dear Neighbor:

 

At City Council on Wednesday, Mayor Emanuel introduced a new Parking Meter proposal to govern the remaining 71 years of this flawed, disastrous lease agreement. Although the new proposal includes some attractive components, there are controversial changes to meter hours that many aldermen do not support.  In fairness to the Mayor, he inherited this horrendous contract from his predecessor and has spent much of his first two years in office working to find a way to get out of the contract or improve it for taxpayers.  We are fortunate the Mayor has been so persistent in aggressively pushing-back against the parking meter company on our behalf.

 

To that end, the Mayor directed his Corporation Counsel Stephen Patton and Chicago's Chief Financial Officer Lois Scott to assemble a team of smart, talented lawyers and financial experts to deconstruct every aspect of the Lease for the purpose of identifying leverage opportunities to dispute annual multi-million dollar invoices being sent to the City by Chicago Parking Meters LLC (CPM) and to negotiate a better deal for taxpayers moving forward.

 

I applaud the Mayor and his team for their excellent work to secure a settlement agreement that would limit the City of Chicago's exposed liability on annual reimbursements to CPM for meters taken out of service by the City (for free handicapped parking, rush hour parking restrictions, etc.) The Mayor's team compelled CPM to accept our econometrics in calculating annual "true-up" money owed to the Company.  Without this great work, the City would have been obliged to pay CPM roughly $20 million per year over the remaining 71-year lease (slightly over $1 billion).  This is a big victory for taxpayers.

 

Unfortunately, the Administration's new proposal goes far beyond the legal settlement of the $1 billion in potential future liability for the City.  At the Mayor's insistence, this proposal would also extend paid parking meter hours during the week and on Saturdays until 10 PM or Midnight for 29,000 of Chicago's 36,000 metered spaces - to offset the cost of "free" Sunday parking in less populous areas of the City.

 

This proposal would extend paid meter hours from 9 PM to Midnight across most of the 42nd Ward and extend hours from 9 PM to 10 PM for tens of thousands of meters located in other wards across Chicago. Over the past week, I have heard from hundreds of my constituents and hundreds more from across Chicago who object to the City Council lengthening meter hours in exchange for "free" Sunday parking in areas outside of the Central Business District and Near North side.

 

We all know nothing is truly "free" and this certainly applies to the Sunday parking proposal.  Rest assured, families from every corner of the city will be paying for that "free" parking until 10 PM in their neighborhoods during the week.  When they visit downtown for dinner, a movie, or concert they'll pay to park until Midnight. No matter where you live, you'll pay for that "free" parking one way or another.

 

Some aldermen have expressed concerns that "free" Sunday meters in their neighborhood wards could actually inhibit local businesses because those spots would be occupied all day and not turn-over for shoppers on a regular basis.  Visitors could take advantage of those free meters by parking their car in a spot on Saturday night and not picking it up until Monday morning. In some wards, that would make it very difficult for residents to secure short-term street parking to support local businesses on Sunday.

 

Crain's Chicago Business recently editorialized against the proposed swap of extended meter hours in exchange for "free" Sunday parking saying: "instead of providing real relief, this renegotiated deal just pushes the slop from one trough to another." The Chicago Tribune Editorial Board also recently opined: "But here's what keeps gnawing at us. If this deal is so good financially for the city, why would Chicago Parking Meters LLC agree to it?"  These opinions regarding extended meter hours are currently shared by a majority of aldermen on the City Council.

 

The Mayor has given the City Council a tight deadline to review this proposal: 28 days to review a tremendous amount of data and complex calculations - not to mention wading through the complex legalese contained in the 3-inch thick, phone-book sized settlement proposal we received five days ago.

 

Although 28 days is far better than the 72 hours the Daley Administration gave the City Council to review the original Parking Meter Lease - setting this artificial deadline to review such a complex proposal and reams of data is somewhat reminiscent of the very process that resulted in the City of Chicago making the mistake of approving this disastrous lease agreement in the first place.

 

In the meantime, I have also been meeting with municipal bond experts to try and identify ways for the City of Chicago to potentially buy-back this valuable public asset.  Although we would have to potentially pay more for the asset than we originally leased it for - buying it back now could limit our exposure to future, costly litigation by CPM and allow the City to again control the asset decades before the Lease would be due to expire. Bond experts have informed me that this approach is within the art of the possible and I will continue to aggressively pursue this option.

 

I consider myself one of Mayor Emanuel's supporters on the City Council and have enjoyed a solid working relationship with him over the past two years.  I truly believe his team did an excellent job negotiating a settlement to the $1 billion in potential liability over the term of the lease and I would vote to approve that good work in a heartbeat.  However, extending meter hours until 10 PM or Midnight for more than 29,000 parking spaces across the City, six days a week, would be a burden for many families across Chicago and could result in yet another windfall for CPM.  I simply cannot support this proposal.

 

I do not relish this public disagreement with the Mayor.  But, as I proved during the Daley Administration, I will always stand up and oppose policies when I genuinely believe they could hurt downtown Chicago or the city at-large.  My first loyalty as Alderman of the 42nd Ward is to the thousands of constituents who have trusted me with protecting their interests on the City Council.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Brendan Reilly

Alderman, 42nd Ward 

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Public Hearing Dates for Chicago Metered Parking System Concession Agreement

May 20, 2013

 

Last week, Alderman Reilly voiced his opinion on the controversial parking meter proposal introduced at the May 8th City Council Meeting. 

Constituents will also have an opportunity to share their comments.  The City Council's Committee on Finance will hold two public hearings on the Proposed Settlement Agreement and Associated Amendment to the Chicago Metered Parking Concession Agreement.

For more information on each hearing, please visit the City Clerk's Legislative Information Center calendar.

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"Night Out In the Parks" Offers More Activities and Performances at Citywide Parks this Summer!

May 20, 2013

 

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and Chicago Park District (PARKS) present "Night Out in the Parks" a series that will offer more than 750 citywide activities this summer, making community parks a safe haven and a hub of cultural activity. Many are offered with free admission, including an expanded Movies in the Parks, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks and Grant Park Music Festival Concerts.

 

In January, Mayor Emanuel announced that an additional $2 million in NATO Summit legacy funds will be invested in neighborhood parks and cultural programs.  The Mayor directed $750,000 of those private funds to expand cultural and arts programming throughout the city. Those funds will help pay for the expansion of these programs.

 

Several new programs are coming to Chicago parks as a result of collaborations between DCASE and local arts presenters.  New programs include: the Grant Park Music Festival choral performances in communities; the Juicebox series for children; The Hypocrites' Romeo Juliet; Eye on India festival; Collaboraction's Crime Scene: Let Hope Rise; Elastic Arts' Culture Coach; and Chicago Children's Theatre in association with Redmoon The Elephant and the Whale.

 

The "Night Out in the Parks" series will feature a major expansion of the popular parks program doubling the number of performances and extending the program to new parks and new audiences, reaching more than 100,000 people in parks this summer.

 

For more information, visit www.nightoutintheparks.com or call 312-742-PLAY.

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Chicago's Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony

May 20, 2013

 

Memorial Day honors all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.  The City of Chicago will honor our fallen heroes Saturday, May 25, 2013 at its annual Wreath Laying Ceremony and Memorial Day Parade with special recognition of the Illinois Gold Star families. The Chicago parade is considered one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the nation. Participants in the parade include area high school marching bands, drum and bugle corps as well as many veterans' groups, 6,000 JROTC cadets and the military.


Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defense and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, will lead this year's Memorial Day Parade as its Grand Marshal and participate in the Wreath Laying Ceremony preceding the parade on Saturday, May 25. The Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Eternal Flame on Daley Plaza (Dearborn and Washington Streets). The parade will step off at noon and proceed south on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street.

 

Additionally, as this is the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the City of Chicago will commemorate the occasion with a special reading of the speech at the Wreath Laying Ceremony. The day's events will also include an observance of the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean conflict.

 

City of Chicago Memorial Day Events
Saturday, May 25, 2013
11:00am Wreath Laying Ceremony at Eternal Flame Daley Plaza
12:00pm noon Memorial Day parade, to step off from Lake and State

 

Memorial Day has a rich history. It began shortly after the Civil War ended when General John Logan proclaimed that the 30th day of May be designated for the purpose of decorating the graves of soldiers who died; the day was called Decoration Day. It was first observed on May 30, 1868. The modern day event is similar, but the original idea has been expanded and now honors all fallen soldiers.

For more information about this event, please click here.

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Chicago Police Department Notice

May 20, 2013

 

Retail Burglaries in Beats 1831 and 1834 

The 18th District has issued a Business Alert for Beats 1831 and 1834 due to an increase in burglary-related incidents. The offender(s) makes entry into a retail or business location by forcing open the front or rear outside door. Once inside the offender may use a blunt instrument to break the glass on an inside entrance door.

 

What you can do:

  • Be aware of this crime and alert other neighbors in the area.
  • Remember to lock doors and windows and activate the alarm and video surveillance system if you have one on the premises.
  • Call 911 to report any suspicious person(s), vehicles(s), or activity near your business or residence
  • Call 911 and provide a detailed description of the offender(s) including any vehicle description and license plate information.

For incident times/location and description of the offenders, please click here to view the official notification. Anyone with information should contact the Bureau of Detectives - Area Central at 312-747-8384 and reference P13-1-099.

 

Court Advocates Needed for 400 N. Michigan Arrest

The 18th District has issued a community bulletin for an arrest made on the 400 block of North Michigan Avenue. The offenders will appear in court on June 10, 2:30pm at 2452 W. Belmont, Branch 29-5. If you are interested in volunteering for Court Advocacy on this case, contact the 18th District Community Policing Office at 312-742-5778, and reference RD #HW 254908.

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2013 Annual Area Plan on Aging Released

May 20, 2013

 

The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) prepares an annual Area Plan on Aging that describes how DFSS proposes to deliver services to Chicagoans age 60 years and older, using funds allocated from Title III and Title VII of the federal Older Americans Act and State of Illinois General Revenue Funds.

 

As part of the senior services planning cycle, a Public Information Document is issued that summarizes the major elements of the proposed Area Plan and gather comments and recommendations from individuals and organizations.

 

Copies of the latest Public Information Document are available online through May 24th, and at each of the DFSS Regional and Satellite Senior Centers.

 

All comments and recommendations on the Public Information Document are welcome.

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DFSSSeniorGuideDFSS Spring 2013 Senior Life Enrichment Guide 

May 13, 2013

 

The spring issue of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Service's Senior Life Enrichment Guide is now available at Alderman Reilly's Constituent Services office, at the department's regional and satellite senior centers, libraries and many other locations.

 

Inside the guide, seniors will find information about health and wellness, educational, recreational and many other types of events, trips, classes and lectures, along with schedules and registration details. Most of these are free or at a nominal cost.

 

This issue also urges older Chicagoans to "Unleash the Power of Age" --the theme of this year's Older Americans Month.  By focusing their efforts and influence, Chicago's nearly 400,000 seniors can greatly enrich their own communities and our entire City. The contents of the guide are also posted online at www.cityofchicago.org/fss.  Further information about DFSS services and programs is available by calling the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at (312) 744-4016.

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Alderman Reilly Congratulates the 2013 Preservation Excellence Award Winners!

May 6, 2013

 

Last week, three 42nd Ward buildings were honored with a 2013 Preservation Excellence Award from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, recognizing the significant contributions they have made to the preservation of the City's historic buildings and places.

 

Monroe Building - 104 S. Michigan Ave. (renovation)

 

104 S Michigan  

 

The Monroe Building, designed in 1911 by Holabird and Roche, is a 16-story office building clad in granite, terra cotta, and brick. The building is designed with classic proportions of a 1900s-era Chicago high-rise including a two-story base, 12-story shaft (main body of the building), and two-story gable roof.

 

The scope of work included the repair of the terra-cotta cornice, façade and green Spanish-tile roof repairs. Decorative cast iron entrances on Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street were replicated from original photographs. At the ground floor, the historic entrances on the east and north sides of the building were recreated from the original drawings.

 

Although the interior is not part of the designated features, the owner restored the lobby area to its original grandeur using historic documentation - original construction documents, early photographs and much extant historic material retrieved from the site. The new lobby includes restoration and re-creation of original design elements including Rookwood tile floors, walls and vaults, decorative iron elevator grilles, doors and hardware, and lighting fixtures. The interior's vaulted lobby has one of the largest commercial installations of Rookwood tile in the country. The Historic Michigan Boulevard District was designated as a Chicago Landmark on February 27, 2003.

 

Carson Pirie Scott - 1 S. State St. (innovative reuse)

 

1 S State

This complex is anchored by the twelve-story State Street building designed by Louis Sullivan for the Schlesinger and Mayer Department Store. A National Historic Landmark, this building was constructed between 1898 and 1904 and is considered to be one of Sullivan's most important works and one of the best examples of the Chicago School skyscraper. After the Carson, Pirie, Scott Department Store took over the building in 1904, an addition was added designed by D.H. Burnham and Co. (1906), and later another addition designed by Holabird and Root (1961) was constructed.  

 

This project put a major modern retailer back in this landmark department store, one of the most important buildings ever designed by Louis Sullivan. Target is the tenant on the first and second floors in a project that combines eight separate buildings along State and Wabash streets. This is the first of a new generation of center city Target stores and the first one to be located in an historic building. The landmark designation includes much of the interior, with the open first floor volume accented by column capitals designed by Sullivan with his signature florid style. Inserting all the necessary modern systems into the building while not impacting these elements was a technical and design achievement. Carson Pirie Scott & Co. building was designated as a Chicago Landmark on November 5, 1970.

 

Steuben Club - 188 W. Randolph St. (rehabilitation) 

 

188 W Randolph  

 

Built in 1929, this 45-story building was designed by the German architect Karl M. Vizthum & Co. and is one of the city's finest 1920's-era skyscrapers. Known as the Steuben Club, a prominent German-American organization, the building was designed in the Gothic Revival style with detailed terra cotta ornament, pointed arches, tracery, buttresses and finials.

 

The building had been deteriorating for many years and became a hazard when terra cotta pieces fell to the street. The current owner purchased the building out of bankruptcy court in 2005 and began planning to convert the vacant commercial building into residential use. The project included substantial exterior and interior work to provide for 313 rental units of which 20% are affordable housing units.

 

The scope of work included the removal of the granite cladding and modern storefronts that were installed at the ground floor in the 1950s. Reconstruction of the historic storefronts and terra-cotta piers was based on original shop drawings. The terra-cotta arched opening was reconstructed to match the historic configuration at the new entrance to the building, located on Randolph Street. More than 12,000 pieces of terra cotta were needed for the project. Steel arched windows on the 2nd-3rd floors as well as the 24th-25th floors were retained and restored. Typical double hung steel windows were replaced with compatible aluminum double-hung sashes. The flying buttresses were also reconstructed. Architectural accent lighting was installed to highlight the restored architectural features.    

 

Financing from IHDA, TIF, and the 20% Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit were used to finance the project. Steuben Club was designated as a Chicago Landmark on July 26, 2006.

 

The awards recognize extraordinary improvements to designated Chicago landmarks, properties within landmark districts and other projects that embody Chicago's architectural heritage.  Each project was chosen by the Commission's Permit Review Committee.  Click here to view all of the 2013 honorees.

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Buckingham Fountain Celebrates 86 Years!

May 6, 2013

 


 

On Thursday, May 2, 2013, the Chicago landmark Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain celebrated its 86th season opening.

 

The Buckingham Fountain made its debut as the centerpiece of "Chicago's Front Yard" - Grant Park, on May 26, 1927, and has provided 86 years of mesmerizing water displays for millions of Chicagoans and visitors alike. Chicago notable Kate Sturges Buckingham, in memory of her late brother Clarence Buckingham, originally dedicated the Fountain to the people of Chicago. Today, Buckingham Fountain serves as one of Chicago's main tourist attractions, bringing in some 6 million visitors annually.

 

Fun Fountain Facts: Three powerful pumps give the Fountain a combined output of 515 horsepower, cycling through a maximum of 15,000 gallons of water a minute to feed 134 individual jets. Every hour on the hour the Fountain's main jet ejects a 150-foot tower of water into the air, accompanied by an equally grand display of lights and music. The initial "grand" display begins at 9:00 a.m. and the final evening display begins at 10:35 p.m.

 

To learn more, please click here.

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Small Business Plan Competition and Elevator Pitch Contest Presented by City Treasurer Stephanie Neely

May 6, 2013

 

2013 Business Plan Competition

The Chicago City Treasurer's Office has launched their annual Business Plan Competition. The competition is open to start-up and existing small businesses throughout the city. To compete for a chance to win cash for your small business, submit a two-page executive summary detailing the business and what makes it unique.

 

2nd Annual Elevator Pitch Contest for Chicago Businesses

Can you explain and sell your business or service in 30-60 seconds? Showcase your business by developing an innovative, creative and professional elevator pitch. The 2013 Elevator Pitch Plus Contest is now underway! Treasurer Neely and  SCORE Chicago, are excited to find the best video promoting a Chicago business.  Expert judges will determine the top 10 submissions.

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Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program

April 29, 2013

 

As the spring gardening season kicks off, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced the launch of an exciting new and convenient website for the Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program: www.sustainablebackyards.org.

 

The new site centralizes resources that will help Chicagoans create environmentally beneficial landscapes throughout the city.

 

The Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program, a CDOT initiative managed by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), offers Chicago residents information and rebates of up to 50% on purchases of sustainable backyard improvements, including:

  • TREES (up to $100 back)
  • NATIVE PLANTS (up to $60 back)
  • COMPOST BINS (up to $50 back)
  • RAIN BARRELS (up to $40 back)

The new sustainablebackyards.org website features several enhancements to the popular program:

  • Chicago residents can now submit rebate applications online, using a smartphone or digital camera to quickly upload a photo of their receipts.
  • An interactive map showcases information about where to purchase trees, native plants, compost bins, and rain barrels in the Chicagoland region.
  • The program's blog not only includes educational backyard advice, but also highlights stories of Chicagoans who made improvements in their backyards.
  • An events calendar of Sustainable Backyards workshops and events makes it easy for residents to connect with the program and other program participants near where they live.

The program emphasizes the role of green infrastructure in alleviating basement and neighborhood flooding, and reducing the flow of polluted water into our rivers and Lake Michigan. Green infrastructure, as opposed to gray infrastructure (such as pipes), uses natural processes in order to infiltrate, evaporate, and/or reuse stormwater. Sustainable Backyards rebate-eligible items provide many benefits, from improving soils to cooling the air and fostering a sense of community. 

 

Sustainable Backyards is part of CNT's "Smart Water for Smart Regions" initiative, which includes research, inventive solutions, and regional advocacy focused on water supply and stormwater management in the Great Lakes region. Sustainable Backyards complements CNT's wet weather retrofitting program, "Wetrofit," which, in its pilot phase, will provide audits and resources for properties with basement flooding issues in Chicago's Albany Park and Rogers Park neighborhoods.

 

Sustainable Backyards is funded by the City of Chicago and a USDA Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant.

 

City of Chicago residents can find more information by calling  773-269-4086, emailing info@sustainablebackyards.org, or visiting the official website: www.sustainablebackyards.org.

 

Founded in 1978, CNT is a Chicago-based think-and-do tank that works nationally to advance urban sustainability by researching, inventing and testing strategies that use resources more efficiently and equitably. Its programs focus on transportation, energy, water, community development, and climate. Visit www.cnt.org  for more information.

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CDOT's Complete Streets Design Guidelines
April 22, 2013

 

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) recently developed the Complete Streets design guidelines to insure that Chicago's roadways are designed and built in a balanced way to improve safety for all users.

 

Complete Streets Chicago: Design Guidelines incorporates best practices from around the world and reevaluates how Chicago designs, builds and maintains its streets with a primary emphasis on walking, bicycling and public transit.  As the City is making an unprecedented level of investment in infrastructure improvements through Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Building a New Chicago program, CDOT's roadway projects will ensure that all modes of transportation become more efficient. 

 

All CDOT projects and programs, will favor pedestrians as a priority mode of transportation.  Chicago is among the first cities in the nation to decisively place pedestrians first, while also providing safe access for bicyclists, transit users, trucks and automobiles.

 

In addition, street design will be conducted in a manner that supports context and transportation mode priorities, and is not limited by rigid engineering standards.    This will allow staff to develop innovative solutions that meet the overarching goals of a complete street, including:

  • Supporting active transportation to address obesity and improve health.
  • Enhancing neighborhood economies by drawing people to shop, live, and work in walkable, livable communities.
  • Designing to protect all users, reduce speeding and decrease crashes.
  • Addressing the changing transportation needs of Chicagoans, who are driving less and using other modes.

CDOT is also driven by goals to eliminate pedestrian crash fatalities in ten years; reduce pedestrian and bike crash injuries by 50% in five years; and reaching 50% of commuting trips made by walking, biking, transit, and working from home by 2030 (currently at 38%).

 

Complete Streets Chicago is a goal-oriented effort tied directly to Chicago Forward, CDOT's two-year action agenda.  It also has been developed in tandem with its sister publication, Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Guidelines and Policies, which provides guidance on creating streets that are intended to be more efficient, more economical, and mitigate some of the effects of climate change.

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Special Offer from IGO for 42nd Ward Residents!

April 22, 2013

 

Do you ever need a car for grocery shopping, errand running, getting to an appointment, or getting your kids to soccer practice? IGO, Chicago's only local, nonprofit carsharing service, provides access to eco-friendly vehicles by the hour or day right here in your neighborhood.  Gas, insurance and 24-hour road-side assistance are included in the  low hourly rates.

Now 42nd Ward residents can join IGO for just $25 and get their first hour in driving for free ($85 value). To take advantage of this great offer, just enter the promo code WARD42 in the promotions field of your online application.  (Click here for details on eligibility).

IGO CarSharing is 
Chicago's first and only local, nonprofit carsharing service. IGO has hundreds of vehicles in over 45 neighborhoods and four suburbs throughout the Chicago region.  If you've been thinking about making do with one less car or no car at all, there's never been a better time to take a look at IGO.  Owning a car is expensive, can be a hassle, and is often not a very green way to get around.  Using transit with carsharing as a backup is good for your budget, your stress level and our environment.  A typical IGO member spends about $2,520 per year on transportation, roughly $5,000 less than what the average American spends annually to own, operate and maintain a car. 

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ward42mapImportant Note from Alderman Reilly:

New Ward Boundaries Effective Now

January 21, 2013

Dear Neighbor:

Last January, the Chicago City Council adopted new ward boundaries for Chicago's 50 wards. Per the U.S. Supreme Court, electoral boundaries must be adjusted every ten years following the Census, to ensure each district in a political jurisdiction is roughly equal in population. As determined by the 2010 Census, the population of a Chicago ward should be roughly 55,000 people. Unfortunately, the 2010 Census data for the 42nd Ward exceeded 80,000 people.

Because the 42nd Ward was so over-populated, the City was forced to make dramatic changes to our ward boundaries. Throughout the redistricting process, I fought hard to keep as many of our downtown neighborhoods as whole as possible. Although we successfully preserved the core of the 42nd Ward, we were forced to cut a large swath of the Gold Coast and roughly the northern half of the Streeterville neighborhood out of the new 42nd Ward.

This was a very difficult process for me personally as I have been working very hard to serve each of the neighborhoods that comprised the old 42nd Ward. For nearly 6 years, I have made it my office's daily mission to provide the best possible service to each downtown neighborhood and resident that I represent. We have spent many hours working to improve our community, block-by-block.

During the City Council debate over the new ward map, I made it very clear that my preference would have been to continue to represent the nearly double-sized ward that I have represented since 2007. In fact, I advocated cutting the size of the City Council in half - from 50 aldermen to 25 - which would have allowed me to continue to represent the old 42nd Ward. My colleagues disagreed with me.

As you know, these new ward boundaries were used during the recent 2012 November General Election. Since the November Election, the chairmen of the City Council's legislative committees have been working with the Emanuel Administration to craft new protocols to facilitate the 2013 transition of governance in the newly constituted ward boundaries.

This week, members of the Chicago City Council were informed that for the purposes of zoning, licensing, infrastructure and general aldermanic governance - only the new ward boundaries will be recognized by city departments and committees. For your reference, I have attached a letter from Alderman Danny Solis (click here) - the Chairman of the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Buildings - informing us that the new ward boundaries are now effective for all matters related to zoning, planned developments, landmarks and buildings.

Because of this transition, former residents of the 42nd Ward must now rely upon their new aldermen for all constituent service requests moving forward, including: infrastructure repairs; public process for zoning and development proposals; community and condo association meetings; public safety issues; right-of-way concerns; and, of course, street cleaning and city garbage collection.

Residents of the old 42nd Ward should refer to the new voter registration cards mailed to them prior to the November 2012 Presidential Election to verify their ward number, or by consulting the new ward map (click here) to identify your alderman. If you still need help finding your ward, you may contact my Constituent Office at office@ward42chicago.com or call (312) 642-4242. A member of my staff will be happy to help identify your new ward and alderman.

To my former constituents who were drawn into new wards as a result of the redistricting process: thank you so much for trusting me with the privilege and honor of serving as your voice on the City Council for the past six years! Please know my staff will do all they can to assist you with the transition to a new ward.  

To my new constituents whom I now represent under the new ward map: I look forward to serving as your alderman and promise you the same open, transparent processes I have administered for the past six years! I am excited to meet our newest residents of the "new" 42nd Ward in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if I can be of any assistance to you or your neighbors, please call my Constituent Service Office at (312) 642-4242.

Sincerely yours,

 

Brendan Reilly

Alderman, 42nd Ward

 

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