New Honorary Street Signs Celebrate the Accomplishments of Art Bryan, Redhead Piano Bar Owner, and 100th Anniversary of The Arts Club of Chicago
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Honorary Art Bryan Way
On Wednesday, September 7th, Alderman Reilly had the pleasure of dedicating a new street sign in honor of a dear friend to the River North business community, Arthur E. Bryan, proprietor and owner of The Redhead Piano Bar, who passed away earlier this year.
(Honorary Art Bryan Way)
The honorary sign renames a section of Ontario Street, between State and Dearborn (adjacent to The Redhead Piano Bar), as "Art Bryan Way" in recognition of Art's contributions to several neighborhood associations and charitable organizations.
(Alderman Reilly at Sign Dedication)
Art Bryan was a model business owner and mentor to countless members of the River North hospitality community. He was always a fixture at the Taste of River North, 18th District Hospitality CAPS meetings and other community events. He served on a number of neighborhood organizations, including the River North Business Association, Magnificent Mile Association, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the Chicago Chapter of the National Concierge Association. The ceremony was held on what would have been Art's 56th birthday.
(Art Bryan at Redhead Piano Bar, 16 West Ontario Street)
Honorary Arts Club of Chicago Way
Alderman Reilly also had the honor of participating in the unveiling ceremony for Honorary "Arts Club of Chicago Way," to mark a very important milestone - the 100th Anniversary of this valued Chicago treasure.
(The Arts Club of Chicago Way Sign Unveiling)
Since 1916, The Arts Club of Chicago has been a preeminent exhibitor of international and local art, a forum for both established and emerging artists, and a celebrated venue for performers from around the world. For 100 years, they have been committed to encouraging, fostering, promoting, and sponsoring activities and presentations to increase the public interest in modern art and culture.
The Club is located in Streeterville at 201 E. Ontario Street, an architecturally significant building featuring the iconic floating staircase designed by Ludwig Mies van Der Rohe. The honorary sign renames the 200-300 block of East Ontario Street as "Arts Club of Chicago Way."
(Janine Mileaf, Executive Director of The Arts Club of Chicago; Helyn Goldenberg, President of the Club; Alderman Reilly. Photo Credit: On the Real Film)
Alderman Reilly, the Chicago City Council, and Mayor Emanuel have also proclaimed October 22 "Arts Club of Chicago Day," in honor of its Centennial and Public Open House celebration.
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Alderman Reilly Helps Break Ground on Vista Tower in Lakeshore East and Luxury Rental High-Rise in Streeterville
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Vista Tower
Alderman Reilly recently joined Mayor Emanuel, Magellan Development Group, Dalian Wanda Group and Architect Jeanne Gang for the groundbreaking of the new Vista Tower in Lakeshore East.
(From L to R: Thomas Kerwin, bKL Architecture; Robin Loewenberg Tebbe, Magellan; Joel Carlins, Magellan; Jim Loewenberg, Magellan; David Carlins, Magellan; Mr. Chen Guocai, Wanda International Real Estate; Mayor Rahm Emanuel; Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang; Alderman Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward; Chen Xu, China General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Lei, Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China; Sean Linnane, Magellan; Commissioner David L. Reifman, Planning and Development)
Due to be the third tallest building in Chicago, Vista Tower is a joint venture between Magellan Development Group and Beijing-based Dalian Wanda Group. The Jeanne Gang-designed structure is comprised of Vista Residences, with more than 400 condominiums starting at $1 million, and a 5-star Wanda Vista Hotel that will include approximately 200 hotel rooms, which is the first branded Wanda Hotel location in the U.S. The residential development is creating more than 2,000 construction jobs and more than 500 permanent jobs.
Pedestrian and automobile improvements will also be made to Vista's surrounding area, including an extension of East Upper Wacker Drive connecting to Waterside Drive as well as a newly enhanced access point between the Lakeshore East Park and the Chicago Riverwalk.
465 North Park Drive
Earlier this week, Alderman Reilly participated in a groundbreaking ceremony with representatives of Jupiter Realty Company, Metlife, and Allstate, for their 444-unit luxury rental high-rise project at 465 North Park Drive in Streeterville.
(From L to R: Matthew Sharples, Director and Head of the Chicago Regional Office, MetLife; Jerry Ong, Executive Vice President, Jupiter Realty Company, LLC; Judith Frydland, Commissioner of the Department of Buildings for the City of Chicago; Alderman Brendan Reilly; Don Smith, Chairman & CEO, Jupiter Realty Company, LLC; Michael Pompizzi, President & CFO, Jupiter Realty Company, LLC; Mike Moran,
Managing Director, Real Estate Investments, Allstate; Mimi Simon, Director of Public Affairs at Chicago Department of Buildings; Deborah Gershbein, President of SOAR)
The 444 upscale units will include studios, convertibles, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, plus nine two-story townhomes on the fourth and fifth floors. The building will also provide 12,000 square feet of prime retail space on the first floor. 465 North Park Drive is creating more than 450 construction jobs and will add 75 permanent leasing management, operations and retail positions when it opens in the spring of 2018.
Ownership and Jupiter worked collaboratively with Alderman Reilly's office and SOAR to design a project that will greatly enhance the neighborhood. Part of the project includes the redevelopment of Ogden Plaza Park, a 70,000 square-foot public park just west of the development. Once complete, neighbors can enjoy new trees, plantings, seating and lighting, as well as a dog friendly area and modifications for better overall park access.
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Register to Vote! Spread the word on National Voter Registration Day, September 27
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National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday, September 27, is a day of action where people ensure their family, friends and neighbors are registered to vote.
There are several ways to register to vote, or record a change of address address or name, for the November 8 General Election:
- In-person at the Chicago Board of Elections office, 69 W. Washington, 6th Floor
- Visit an IL Secretary of State Office if obtaining a new Driver's License or State ID
- Register through an active deputy registrar affiliated with a local organization, such as a political party, ward organization or other state-certified body.
Qualifications to Register to Vote -
To register to vote, you must:
- be a U.S. citizen, and
- be born on or before November 8, 1998, and
- live in your precinct at least 30 days before the election, and
- not claim the right to vote elsewhere; and
- not be in prison/jail serving time for a conviction. (Note: Ex-convicts who have completed their sentences and who meet all other requirements listed above are eligible to register and vote in Illinois.)
Check your voter registration status!
Click here
to check the status of your registration by entering the simplified version of your street address and your last name.
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| Illinois Homeowner and Homebuyer Assistance Programs |
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announces the re-launch of programs designed to help struggling homeowners and communities across Illinois. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury allocated $269 million in federal Hardest Hit Funds (HHF) to the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
Since HHF was launched in 2010, IHDA has provided mortgage assistance to over 14,000 Illinois homeowners from 100 counties across the state. The additional funding will enable IHDA to re-launch programs offering homeowner and homebuyer assistance, and to create a first-of-its-kind homeowner refinance product for borrowers who are current on their mortgage but remain in a negative equity position (underwater).
IHDA offers housing assistance through the following HHF programs:
- Homeowner Emergency Loan Program (HELP): Provides up-to $35,000 in temporary mortgage assistance to struggling homeowners.
- I-Refi: New refinance program provides up-to $50,000 in assistance to underwater borrowers and refinances their mortgage into a new affordable loan.
- 1stHomeIllinois: Provides $7,500 in down payment assistance to first-time home buyers and veterans in 10 distressed counties across Illinois.
- Blight Reduction Program: Assists local governments to target blighted, vacant, residential properties in specific communities for demolition, greening, and eventual reuse or redevelopment
Additional information can be found on the HHF website and FAQ.
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| Chicago Home Buyer Assistance Program |
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The City of Chicago and the Chicago Infrastructure Trust have partnered on the Home Buyers Assistance Program (HBAP) to increase access to homeownership for working families looking to purchase a home in Chicago.
The HBAP is geared towards first-time and returning home buyers, as well as homeowners looking to refinance their mortgages. It has the potential to grant up to 7% of the borrower's total loan amount. Residents must meet eligibility criteria and apply for the program through qualified lenders.
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Cook County Elder Justice Center's Senior Enrichment Seminar
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The Cook County Elder Justice Center (CCEJC) organizes enrichment seminars on varying topics of interest to seniors. All seminars are held at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington Street.
Adult Day Care Services: Making the Right Choice
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Topics to include:
- Types of adult day care services
- How to choose the right service for your needs
- Payment options
Nursing Home Residents Rights and Protection
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Topics to include:
- Nursing home residents' rights
- Common problems residents encounter and resolutions
- The Illinois Department of Public Health's role as a regulator
- Investigation and reporting procedures
Both seminars will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois, in Courtroom 2005, on the 20th Floor.
To register, please call the CCEJC at 312-603-9233. If you have any questions regarding the services offered by the Cook County Elder Justice Center, please visit their
website
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Walk the Pond - Lincoln Park Conservancy's Family Fun Walk
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The Lincoln Park Conservancy is hosting Walk the Pond, a free family fun walk around the North Pond Nature Sanctuary with costumed pond characters, snacks, games, face painting, a magician, and a sing along with Mr. Singer! The event is to raise awareness of the Lincoln Park Conservancy's Master Plan for the North Pond Nature Sanctuary, including a new natural playscape for children.
Walk the Pond will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30p.m. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and the Walk will step off at 11:00 a.m.
Parents, grandparents and kids of all ages are welcome! Participants are asked to meet in front of the North Pond Restaurant, 2610 N. Cannon Drive (in the park), rain or shine.
Those who pre-register online at www.LincolnParkConservancy.org will receive one (1) free child-size Walk the Pond logo t-shirt, while supplies last. Logo t-shirts will also be available for sale at the event.
For more information about Walk the Pond, please contact Luciana Bonifazi at the Lincoln Park Conservancy: (773) 883-PARK or [email protected].
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Chicago Police Alerts and Other Community Notices
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Vote for Chicago's Top Cabbie!
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The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) is pleased to announce that voting is open for the top 12 finalists in the citywide competition to find "Chicago's Top Cabbie"! The competition is designed to reward a licensed taxi chauffeur for their heroism and/or exemplary customer service. The grand prize is a free taxicab medallion!
The twelve finalists and their stories are posted online for voting at www.chitopcabbie.com. The voting period is open to the public through September 30th.
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Doodle 4 Google Competition
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Calling all artists! The 2016 Doodle 4 Google competition is open for submissions.
All K-12 students are invited to create a Google doodle for the opportunity to win a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 Google for Education technology award for his or her school or community organization. The opportunity gives students across the U.S. the chance to display their own Google doodle on www.google.com.
This year's theme is "What I see for the future..." Students can submit doodles until December 2, 2016.
Entry forms can be downloaded from Google's Doodle 4 Google site and completed doodles can be submitted by mail or online. For more details, including full contest rules and entry forms go to https://doodles.google.com/d4g/.
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Donate Your Perennials to Chicago Plant Rescue - Sidewalk
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Chicago Plant Rescue is a community organization and a fiscal agent of NeighborSpace, a 501c3 non-profit. Their mission is to connect communities to perennial plants in order to enhance the urban landscape. This is achieved by diverting healthy perennial plants from being thrown away.
Many plants are thrown away when seasonal plantings are changed and people or companies do not have the space or resources to properly care for them. Chicago Plant rescue can help find permanent homes for these seasonal plantings in community gardens throughout Chicago.
This summer they are launching CPR Sidewalk, a program for businesses, offices, organizations, HOAs, Business Associations, and individuals with seasonal plants-storefront planters, sidewalk cafes, seasonal landscaping, city planters, container plants-to donate their healthy plant material.
Many restaurants, businesses, and organizations purchase annual and perennial plants to adorn their sidewalk cafes or fill seasonal planters. As seasons change and sidewalk plantings are changed or removed, these purchased plants are often forgotten. Annuals will naturally die out. However perennials will return every year if given a permanent home. Chicago Plant rescue will help determine if you have viable plant material and will coordinate removal and transportation of all donated plants.
Community gardeners throughout Chicago's neighborhoods struggle to afford necessary plant material. This tax-deductible donation will not only benefit the environment by reducing waste, but will also support community development and enhance Chicago's growing urban landscape.
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| Hispanic Heritage Foundation Scholarship for High School Seniors |
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation offers a scholarship opportunity of up to $3000 for the rising Latino high school senior class of 2017. Over 180 scholarships will be awarded across the country.
Scholarship Categories and sponsors include:
- Business & Entrepreneurship: sponsored by BBVA Compass
- Community Service sponsored by Colgate Palmolive.
- Education: sponsored by Southwest Airlines
- Engineering: sponsored by ExxonMobil
- Health & Science sponsored by CVS Health
- Mathematical Sciences sponsored by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC)
- Parent Award sponsored by Learning Heroes
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Street Closures and Construction Updates
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Washington/Wabash EL Station Construction Update: Weekend Closure of Washington and Wabash Intersection
The Department of Transportation (CDOT) today announced that the intersection of Wabash and Washington will be closed from 8 pm this Friday through 5am this Monday for construction of the new elevated Washington-Wabash CTA Station.
Motorists traveling eastbound on Washington should turn either left or right on State Street and continue their eastbound trip on Lake or Monroe Streets.
Construction work will also require the temporary closure of portions of the Loop elevated tracks beginning 10 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Monday. As a result of these track closures, Brown, Orange, Green and Pink line trains will be re-routed.
For full information on changes affecting CTA train and bus service,
click here.
Fall Bridge Lift Schedule
Each year, in the spring and fall, CDOT raises the movable bridges along the Main and South Branches of the Chicago River on a twice weekly schedule on Saturdays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9:30am to accommodate recreational boats traveling to and from their storage yards.
During these "boat runs," the bridges are raised sequentially, typically one at a time. Each bridge lift takes an average of 8-12 minutes. A total of 27 bridges will be lifted in succession from the Ashland Avenue Bridge on the South Branch to Lake Shore Drive.
The lifts will occur each Saturday morning and Wednesday morning, until Saturday, November 12.
Adams Street Bridge Reconstruction Weekend Sidewalk Closures
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced that it is closing pedestrian access on Adams Street at the bascule bridge due to viaduct demolition the weekends of September 23-26 and 30-October 3. Pedestrians will be barred from using Adams over the Union Station railroad tracks, the mid-block crossing on Adams, and access across the Adams bascule bridge for safety from Friday night to Monday morning those weekends.
Pedestrian access will close at 9pm Friday, September 23 and re-open at 6am on Monday, September 26. Pedestrians entering and leaving Union Station are urged to use entrances on streets other than Adams to avoid the weekend closures.
RIC MRI Installation: Street Closure of Erie, Fairbanks to McClurg this weekend
Beginning at 12:01am on Saturday, September 24, through 11:59pm on Sunday, September 25, a full street closure of Erie, from Fairbanks to McClurg, will occur to allow for the installation of a crane that will be used to install the MRI machine into the new RIC building. All traffic will be detoured south on Fairbanks Court to Ohio Street, at which point traffic can travel eastbound to McClurg Court. Access to the Northwestern "Ontario Erie" Parking Garage will remain available.
Crane set-up/take-down and MRI installation work will be performed on Saturday between 9am and 8pm. If needed, work will also occur on Sunday, from 9am to 3pm.
Film Notice: 105-139 W Erie and 648 N Clark
Date and Time: Tuesday, September 27, from 12pm to 5pm
Traffic Impact: No Parking/Tow Zone signs will be in effect along the south side of Erie from 105-139 West Erie and in front of 648 N Clark
Film Notice: Northwestern Medical Campus
Date and Time: Beginning Sunday, September 25 through Wednesday, September 28
Traffic Impact: No Parking/Tow Zone signs will be in effect at along the following streets:
- Sunday, September 25 through Wednesday, September 28 from 5am to 9pm: both sides of Erie from St. Clair to McClurg
- Sunday, September 25 through Tuesday, September 27 from 5am to 9pm: both sides of Huron from Fairbanks to Inner Lake Shore Drive
- Sunday, September 25 through Tuesday, September 27 from 5am to 9pm: both sides of Superior from Fairbanks to McClurg
- Monday, September 26 through Tuesday, September 27 from 5am to 9pm: south side of Chicago, from Fairbanks to Inner Lake Shore Drive
Film Notice: Clark, Washington to Madison
Date and Time: Monday, September 26, from 6am to 7pm
Traffic Impact: No Parking/Tow Zone signs will be in effect along the east side of Clark, from Washington to Madison
Film Notice: Balbo, Wabash and Columbus
Date and Time: Beginning Tuesday, September 27 at 8pm, through Wednesday, September 28 at 7pm
Traffic Impact: No Parking/Tow Zone signs will be in effect along the following streets
- North side of Balbo, from Michigan to Wabash
- East side of Wabash from Balbo to Harrison
- Southside of Harrison from Wabash to Michigan
- West side of Columbus from Balbo to Roosevelt
Film Notice: Wells, River to Kinzie
Date and Time: Wednesday, September 28 from 7am to 10am
Traffic Impact: No Parking/Tow Zone signs will be in effect along the east side of Wells from the River to Kinzie
Wabash, Madison to Monroe Full Street Closure
Wabash, between Madison and Monroe, is currently closed for the next phase of the Washington/Wabash Elevated Station Project. The closure will last approximately 5 weeks. During the closure, Madison westbound traffic will be maintained. Additionally, all businesses and residents will have access to their buildings. ADA, Valet service and Loading Zones will be provided to each building
This closure is needed to facilitate the installation of earth retention systems at 4 support columns along Wabash, the erection of shoring systems to support the train tracks, the demolition of existing CTA foundations, the pouring of new foundations, drilling and grout micropiles work on the columns, and to complete associated track work.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and follow posted detour signs.
Water Main Replacement: Clark and Huron Project
The Department of Water Management is installing 3,330 feet of new 12-inch water main on Clark, from Superior to Kinzie. The old water main dates back to 1873 and needs to be replaced. Work hours will be 7am-4pm.
- No Parking/Tow Zone will in place during the work hours. Outside of work hours, parking will be allowed.
- During work hours, intermittent street closures may be required, however, access to homes and businesses will always be allowed. Outside of working hours, a travel lane will be left open for local traffic only.
- To receive regular email updates about the progress of the project directly from the Department of Water Management, please go to: BuildingANewChicago.org to register for the WaterALERT program-enter your name, email address and the project identification number 1501098.
- For further information or questions about the project, please call the Department of Water Management's Office of Public Affairs at 312-744-6635
Street Closure for Washington / Wabash El Station
Date and Time: Now through Fall 2016
Location and Traffic Impact: Wabash between Washington and Madison Street will be closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate construction of the Washington/Wabash Elevated CTA Station. All business frontage and sidewalk will remain accessible. Valet and delivery drop-off zones remain open on Madison and Wabash.
Traffic Impact for Wanda Vista Construction
Now through project completion, Field Boulevard from Lower Wacker to South Water Street be closed. Please plan accordingly.
Traffic Impacts for Hubbard and Wells Development
Now through project completion, there will be a curb lane closure and sidewalk closure of Wells, Hubbard to Kinzie. No Parking/Tow Zone signs will also be in effect from Hubbard to halfway up Wells.
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.
A full closure of Couch, Franklin to Wells, will be in effect from August 1 to August 5 for crane installation at 151 N. Franklin.
Traffic Impacts for 167 W. Erie Development
Now through project completion, there will be a single lane closure on Ontario between LaSalle and Wells beginning mid-block. There will also be sidewalk and single lane closures on Erie, between LaSalle and Wells, and Wells, between Erie and Ontario. Fencing and traffic barricades have been set up for safety.
Traffic Impacts for 640 N. Wells Development
Now through project completion, the parking lane on the west side on Wells, between Erie and Ontario, will be closed. Fencing and traffic barricades have been set up for safety.
Chicago Riverwalk Construction
Phase 3 of the Riverwalk will continue until October 2016. Access to the Riverwalk between LaSalle and Lake Street will be closed to the public.
The following traffic restrictions will be in place until competition of the project:
- The west bound curb lane of Lower Wacker Drive between State Street and Post Place will have daily temporary closures between 6am and 5:30pm.
- The west bound curb lane of Upper Wacker Drive between State Street and Wells Street may have daily temporary closures between 9am and 3:30pm and also from 7pm to 6am, including weekends.
- As the work schedule allows, contractors will lift closures earlier than their end times.
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.
Beats 1821, 1822 and 1823 (combined)
will hold a meeting Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30pm at 1160 N. Larrabee Street.
Beats 121, 122, 123 and 124 (20 Sector Residential)
will hold a meeting Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00pm at 525 S. State University Center
If you would like further information regarding upcoming
CAPS meetings, please call your Police District's
CAPS office.
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.
top of page
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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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