Reilly to propose new rules for signs along Chicago River

19-Sep-14 – Protecting the Chicago River from ugly signs is the goal of a new city ordinance that 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly will introduce in October. Mayor Rahm Emanuel made the announcement on Wednesday. (Left) Trump International Hotel & Tower with its new sign on June 14. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

The ordinance, says the mayor, “will ensure that high-rise building signage does not interfere with the safe enjoyment and functions of the river.”

A “Chicago River Special Sign District,” covering all of the main branch and the south branch from Kinzie Street to Roosevelt Road, would be established to regulate signs along the river, including signs on high-rise buildings.

(Above) The area the ordinance would cover. The proposed district would extend from Lake Shore Drive west to Lake Street and from Kinzie Street near Wolf Point south to Roosevelt Road.

Each high-rise building could have one sign as long as it is no bigger than 550 square feet, located just below the roofline, and identifies only the main tenant of the building.

The ordinance would affect only new signs, not existing ones like the 2,880 square foot sign installed on the south face of Trump International Hotel & Tower in June that Emanuel called “architecturally tasteless.”

“As we move to transform the Chicago River into Chicago’s next great waterfront, we want to ensure that the riverfront is protected from signage that negatively impacts the visual environment,” said Emanuel. “This ordinance will allow visitors and residents of Chicago to continue enjoying our world-renowned architecture along the river.”

Not allowed at all would be “banners, neon signs, flashing signs, dynamic imaging displays, roof signs, painted wall signs, and off-premise signs.”