Thursday, July 2, 2020 | View in browser
Good afternoon,
Read below for information about the Independence Day holiday weekend, playground and basketball court openings, and more!
As a reminder, you can find the latest Evanston-specific COVID-19 updates on the City's website.
 Fourth of July celebration goes virtual!
The Evanston Fourth of July Association has replaced its traditional 4th of July activities with an alternative virtual celebration due to COVID-19. This year's celebratory theme, "Community United Cannot Be Divided," will bring the community together through festivities streamed on Facebook Live, the Evanston Fourth of July Association's website and WCGO Radio 1590AM/95.9FM.
Schedule: Go behind the scenes of the celebration and parade at 11 a.m. Then, at 2 p.m., enjoy a virtual parade. The celebration will conclude with a virtual concert and fireworks show at 8 p.m. View the program guide.
Guidelines for gatherings: As you make plans for the holiday weekend, please follow health and safety guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19. Gatherings must be limited to 50 people or fewer in accordance with the State's Phase 4 guidelines.
Free parking: Parking meters/pay boxes and downtown parking garages will be free on July 4. Regular parking enforcement will be in place on Fri., July 3; however, street cleaning restrictions and enforcement will not occur.
Facility and service schedules: View City service and facility schedules for the Independence Day holiday weekend.
Fireworks reminder: Please remember that fireworks are illegal in Evanston. Fireworks are dangerous and can be distressing to individuals and pets that are sensitive to loud noises. Violators are subject to citations.
 Playgrounds and basketball courts are now open
Now that Illinois and Evanston have moved into Phase 4 of the Governor's Restore Illinois plan, basketball courts and outdoor playgrounds are open. City staff will be reinstalling basketball rims over the next week. Visit the City's Safe Reopening page for health guidelines and more information.
 Evanston beaches are open for swimming
Evanston beaches, including Lighthouse, Clark Street, Lee Street and South Boulevard, are open for swimming. Make sure to review health and safety policies before you visit.
Beach tokens: Purchase beach tokens online and in person at the Dempster Street Beach Office, Evanston Ecology Center, Robert Crown Community Center, and Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center during their office hours. Teens between the ages of 13 and 18 can also pick up a free 10-punch beach pass at the above locations with proof of residency. Please note, due to holiday facility closures, beach tokens will only be available at the Dempster and Clark Street beach offices July 3 and 4, and at these two locations and the Robert Crown Center on July 5. Wait times may be longer than usual.
Daily admission pass: Purchase a daily admission pass at the Dempster Street Beach Office and Clark Street Beach Office. Daily admission passes will not be sold at other beach entrances.
Don't forget: Face coverings must be worn when entering the beach, interacting with staff, and while on the beach when maintaining a six-foot distance from others is not possible. Children age two or under and those who cannot wear a face covering due to medical issues are exempt.
 Police Training Q&A and Discussion
Join Mayor Hagerty and members of the Evanston Police Department, along with other guests, for a "Q&A and Discussion Series on Policing in Evanston." These sessions will help inform the City Council's discussion on policing as they consider any appropriate changes to better serve the community. Tune in for the first Q&A, which will focus on police training, on Mon., July 6, at noon. Watch the discussion live on Channel 16 and on the City’s Facebook page. Questions may be submitted live during the broadcast or in advance using the City’s Q&A form.
Coronavirus updates
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 additional information and metrics.
Confirmed daily cases
The average number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases has remained steady, with an average of 2.57 new cases per day over the last seven days. Evanston has had 795 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date, with 34 cases currently active. To date, 69 Evanston residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19, an increase of one over last week.
 Click to view larger image. (LTCF represents long-term care facility.)
Testing
The City’s seven-day moving average daily test positivity rate (the percentage of those tested who tested positive for COVID-19 over a seven-day period) decreased to 1.98 percent. More than 9,000 Evanston residents have been tested so far, including more than 100 at this week’s second community testing event at James Park, in partnership with AMITA Health St. Francis Hospital.
The City is planning additional community testing events in July. Residents can also receive free testing at State community-based testing sites, including the nearest locations in Harwood Heights and Rolling Meadows.
Additional graphs and data
 Click image to play video
Coronavirus Q&A: Phase 4
On Tuesday, Mayor Hagerty hosted a live Coronavirus Q&A with City staff to answer residents' questions regarding Phase 4 public health guidelines and the City's safe reopening plans. Watch the video.
More news and events
Street cleaning enforcement has resumed
As a reminder, street cleaning enforcement has resumed and fines will now be issued for violations. The City resumed enforcement of other parking restrictions earlier this month. View the schedule and sign up for convenient text/email notifications to remind you of street cleaning parking restrictions.
Black Lives Matter painting on Dodge Avenue
Dodge Avenue will be closed from Lake to Church Streets during the day on Fri., July 3. The ETHS basketball team will be painting "Black Lives Matter" in yellow letters along Dodge Avenue (view proposal).
'Evanston Recycles' event, July 11
Bring your recyclable items to the 10th annual "Evanston Recycles" event on Sat., July 11, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Evanston Township High School. Due to COVID-19, new safety rules have been put in place and only electronic waste and documents for shredding will be collected.
Help shape Evanston's energy future
The City wants to hear what your priorities are for Evanston’s energy future to help us improve the air we breathe, lower utility bills, support healthier, cleaner jobs, and achieve 100 percent renewable energy to fight the climate crisis. Fill out our Evanston's Energy Future survey!
A mural treasure hunt for all ages
Looking for a free creative activity for all ages to do outside in Evanston this summer? Take yourself on Art Encounter's The Big Picture: A Mural Treasure Hunt! Follow their Google map cross 17 Evanston Mural Arts Program murals while answering fun questions and following prompts.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
 Al fresco dining options
The City has been working with our local Evanston eateries to come up with unique ways (sidewalk cafes, parking space bump-outs, street closures, parking lot usage) to safely expand outdoor dining options during the Coronavirus pandemic. Support local restaurants by taking advantage of al fresco dining while maintaining a social distance from others.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading and happy 4th!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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