 
Thursday, January 14, 2021 | View in browser
Good evening,
Read below for information about MLK Jr. Day events and service changes, upcoming food pantries, and safety reminders from the EPD. Plus, meet Henriks, the City's youngest (honorary) staff member.
As a reminder, you can find the latest Evanston-specific COVID-19 updates on the City's website.
 Celebrate MLK Jr. Day with virtual events
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, join a panel of young, gifted, Black Evanstonians for a thoughtful conversation about the history and future of civil and human rights in Evanston and America. Tune in to the broadcast on Mon., Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. on Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre’s Facebook Page or YouTube Channel.
More ways to celebrate: Enjoy a live-streamed concert from the Music Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University candlelight vigil, and more.
Holiday schedule: The City has announced changes in service delivery and facility schedules in recognition of the holiday. No refuse or recycling collections will occur on Mon., Jan. 18. Monday through Thursday collections will occur one day later than normal.
 In need of food assistance this month?
Emergency Food Pantry: The next event will take place on Wed., Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to noon, at James Park. Evanston residents can pick up free, prepackaged boxes of food, including non-perishable items, produce and protein. Register.
Pop-Up Food Pantry: The City's next Pop-Up Pantry will take place on Sat., Jan. 23. Participants must qualify and register in advance by calling the Evanston Public Library at 847-448-8630. Once registered, participants will be directed to one of four pick-up locations closest to them.
 Safety reminders from the EPD
Add locking your doors to your New Year's Resolutions list. Reduce your chance of experiencing a burglary or theft by locking the doors and windows to your home, business, shed or vehicles. Watch our video.
Look out for catalytic converter thieves. With a recent increase in catalytic converter thefts, the Evanston Police Department is asking for neighbors to be vigilant and to report suspicious activity.
 Central Street Insidewalk & Curbsidewalk Sale
Get ready for Central Street's annual Insidewalk & Curbsidewalk Sale from January 14 through 16! Don't miss out on extra savings on fall and winter clearance items.
Follow your heart: Businesses will also hand out heart-making kits. Bring decorative hearts (using the kits or homemade) to a participating business in exchange for a "Follow Your Heart on Central Street" passport by February 6. The passport is good for 10 percent off at participating businesses throughout February.
Coronavirus update
Situation Report
Below, you’ll find the latest COVID-19 data from the City’s Health and Human Services Department. Visit the City’s interactive COVID-19 dashboard (view on mobile) for information and metrics updated daily. You can also view IDPH Restore Illinois indicators for Region 10, which includes Evanston.
Confirmed daily cases increase
 Evanston’s seven-day moving average of confirmed daily cases rose to 22.57 new cases per day, compared to 18.71 new cases per day a week ago. The seven-day average of new cases per 100,000 residents increased in Evanston (215.04), but remains lower than Skokie (344.5), Chicago (316.56), Cook County (354), and Illinois (368.87).
Thirty-six new COVID-19 cases were reported today in Evanston. The city has had 3,404 total confirmed cases to date, and 100 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19.
Positivity rate decreases
The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate decreased significantly to 1.69 percent, compared to 3.8 percent one week ago. This decrease is at least partly due to a significant increase in testing at Northwestern University as students returned to campus. The positivity rate in Evanston remains lower than the state (7.3 percent) and county (10.2 percent). Local COVID-19 hospital admissions continue to be steady.
As a reminder, you can access free testing daily at the State's COVID-19 community-based testing sites, including the nearest Harwood Heights and Arlington Heights locations. Testing is also available at some CVS, Walgreens and Physicians Immediate Care locations. Call your primary care provider for inquiries about testing.
Vaccinations Update
 Nearly 600 Evanston healthcare workers received vaccinations at the City’s closed event on Monday.
Evanston continues to progress through Phase 1a of vaccine distribution, and anticipates completing initial vaccinations of Evanston healthcare workers early next week. To date, the City has received 5,225 COVID-19 vaccine doses and provided approximately 5,000 doses to Evanston hospitals, healthcare workers and paramedics.
What’s next? The City anticipates that our next phase, Phase 1b, could begin as early as next week or soon thereafter depending on the availability of vaccines and state guidance. This phase includes frontline essential workers, those living in congregate settings, and individuals 65 years and older. Police officers and firefighters, teachers and daycare workers, public transit employees, grocery store workers, and manufacturing workers are among those included in this priority group. See the IDPH website for details. The City will be planning closed vaccination events for individuals in this priority group on a rolling basis as vaccines are available.
What can you do now? If you haven’t already, please complete Evanston’s Vaccination Interest Form (español) to help the City better understand local vaccine demand and support ongoing planning and distribution efforts. The City is now encouraging all individuals who live or work in Evanston to complete the form, even those under 16 years old. Please complete the form for every member of your household.
The City will provide weekly updates in this newsletter to keep you updated on progress, plans and future events. Visit the City’s COVID-19 Vaccine web page for additional information and frequently asked questions.
More news and events
Special Event Permit updates
Due to COVID-19, the City's 2021 Special Event Permit application is now available online with an extended deadline of March 31. Apply today!
Paul Polep announced as Interim Fire Chief
Congratulations to Deputy Chief Paul Polep who has been appointed interim chief of the Evanston Fire Department following Chief Brain Scott's retirement this Friday.
Help plant trees throughout Evanston
Three ETHS students have partnered with Tree-Plenish in an effort to plant 280 trees in Evanston, making up for approximately half of the school’s annual paper usage in a typical year. Want to help? Purchase a tree and volunteers will plant it in your yard on April 24.
Emergency relief for undocumented residents
Apply: Undocumented residents who have emergency needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to apply for the City's Community Member Relief Fund.
Donate: Interested in contributing to the fund? Make a donation.
Looking for help with the job search process?
The Evanston Public Library is hosting a four-part "Navigating the Job Search" virtual series to help those seeking employment. Attendees will learn skills centered around resumes and cover letters, networking through services such as LinkedIn, and virtual interviewing. Registration is required.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
A tale of friendship and humanity
 Henriks Lizenbergs, 6, with the Evanston recycling team.
What's the best day of the week for a six-year-old who loves trucks? Recycling day, of course! Read this heartwarming story by Heidi Stevens of the Chicago Tribune. (Note: Subscription required.)
That’s it for today's e-news. Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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