The Magnificent Mile Association announced a new holiday tradition along with the 29th annual BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival which aired on ABC7 on November 22nd. This new tradition, features festive window displays from 15 cultural and community partners in storefronts available for lease along North Michigan Avenue.

“We created this new tradition as a concrete example of our commitment to the entire City of Chicago,” explains Kimberly Bares, President & CEO of The Magnificent Mile Association. “With our partner, BMO Harris Bank, and their leadership in the Invest South/West initiative, this seemed like the perfect time to find new ways to connect downtown with Chicago’s communities of color and together offer an abundance of holiday cheer in these 13-city blocks that will shine brightly through the winter months. This holiday season is not what we all hoped for, but it can be made better through remembering that we are here for one another, especially in difficult and uncertain times.”

Near or far, you can peruse photos to see what makes Chicago so special, and share your holiday traditions with #BMOLightsFest. Discover all of the holiday window displays with this map. Windows are decorated with artisan merchandise, artwork, flowers and more!

Be sure to walk North Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak Street and tag photos of your favorite displays with #BMOLightsfest!

When you are out and about in the neighborhood, ignite your holiday spirit by stopping to admire Engine 42’s handiwork and cheerful decorations! Thanks Chicago Fire Department for being there when we need you and making the neighborhood more festive!.

And don’t forget to order one of the Ignite the Spirit Calendars featuring our Firefighters and EMTs. It makes a great stocking stuffer! Ignite the Spirit is a charity established by the Chicago Fire Department to help provide funding and resources to first responders and their families in time of need. Buy a calendar today at: https://www.ignitethespirit.org/store.html

Alderman Reilly Reports 12/11//2020

The City of Chicago announced distribution plans for the COVID-19 vaccine, when it becomes available, with a commitment to allocate initial doses to all 34 hospitals in the city. The City’s plan ensures the individuals and communities most impacted by the pandemic are prioritized in the weeks and months to come.

The first vaccines could be allocated next week in Chicago, pending final approval from federal regulators. Based on guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), healthcare workers who treat COVID patients or conduct procedures that put them at high risk for COVID-19 spread will be the first to receive it.

For more information, CLICK HERE to view Alderman Reilly Reports of 12/11/2020

Chicago Public Library (CPL) recommends the Best of the Best, their selections of the very best books published in 2020. Every year, CPL librarians evaluate the year’s new books and select the very best for Chicagoans—making these the only booklists for Chicago, by Chicago.

CLICK HERE for best of 2020 booklists for adults, teens and kids. Happy reading!

• School Supply Drive until December 31

Making and delivering bag meals with The Chicago Help Initiative:

We all can help each other by working together to fill needs during this pandemic. CHI coordinates volunteers delivering thousands of bag meals each week to sites in different parts of the city. You can make lunches, help deliver them, or do both!

What’s in a bag meal?
The basics are a sandwich, drink (water or juice), snack (chips, granola, etc….) and a fruit. However, don’t be afraid to do more or get fancy!

Where and when to deliver? 
721 N LaSalle, 9:30 am to 10:30 am Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

What if we can’t deliver those times? 
No problem – let us know where you are and we can find either a volunteer to pick up from you, or a nearby location to drop at a better time.

Who do I contact to get started?
First,  contact info@chicagohelpinitiative.org. Let us know you’re getting involved, and what days work for you.

To encourage all Chicagoans with the capacity to support our beloved hospitality industry, the City is launching the Take Out Chicago contest. Through this program, launched with the support of Choose Chicago, residents that order takeout from ten unique bars and restaurants between today and December 15 will be entered into a contest to win a VIP experience at one of Chicago’s premier cultural institutions. Chicagoans can learn more and submit their entry here. Recipients will be selected via lottery to win VIP tours for themselves and three family members at a select Chicago destination, including the Art Institute, DuSable Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, Soldier Field and more. Residents participating in the contest should also post their orders using the hashtag #takeoutchicago.

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 11/17/2020

Earlier today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced additional COVID-19 resurgence mitigations that will take effect in every region across the state in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus. Tier 3 mitigations build on the Resurgence Mitigation Plan released in July to suppress the spread of the virus and prevent hospitals from becoming overrun. These mitigations aim to limit gatherings and encourages residents to stay home as much as possible and follow proper safety measures when out in public.

As a reminder to residents, Chicago is under a Stay-at-Home Advisory to combat the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Please note, this advisory is recommended guidance from the City of Chicago and not an enforceable order.

While this latest round of mitigations does not include a stay at home order, if the mitigations are not adhered to and cases continue to rise in the weeks ahead, another order may be required. For all regions, additional mitigation measures take effect Friday, November 20, 2020 at 12:01am. The new mitigation requirements to combat the surge of COVID-19 across Illinois are as follows.

For more information:  CLICK HERE

To see latest City of Chicago COVID Dashboard, CLICK HERE

Find a Testing Site Here!

The City’s community-based testing sites remain open to all people living in Chicago, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Please note that, in recent weeks, Chicago has set new daily records for the number of people tested for the virus that causes COVID-19. Like many providers across the city, we are currently seeing an increase in patient volumes at all City of Chicago community-based testing sites, which were created to supplement testing performed in clinical settings.

CDPH strongly encourages people to register in advance. If there aren’t any available time slots, CDPH encourage people to use our interactive testing map and locate another testing site nearby.

To register online, residents must have an email address. If an individual does not have email, they may call the Department of Public Health’s testing support line at (312) 746-4835 to register and schedule an appointment over the phone.