 
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 | View in browser
Good evening,
Read below for information about virtual New Year's celebrations, tree recycling, and a snow operations update.
As a reminder, you can find the latest Evanston-specific COVID-19 updates on the City's website.
 Let's WINter together
Avoid parking on Snow Routes tonight: City crews continue to clean up following last night's snowfall. Although parking restrictions are NOT in effect at this time, you can help plows by avoiding parking on main thoroughfares posted as Snow Routes overnight tonight so that crews can clear any remaining snow.
Shoveling reminder: Property owners and occupants are responsible for clearing sidewalks within 24 hours after any accumulation of snow or ice; paths must be at least 36 inches wide. Please do your part so that everyone can travel safely this winter.
 Ring in 2021 with virtual celebrations!
As COVID-19 continues to spread, remember that the safest way to celebrate the New Year is at home with members of your own household.
"Am I the Only One?": Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, Mudlark Theater and Piven Theatre Workshop invite you to the world premiere broadcast of the new original play, Am I the Only One Here? Register today to view the broadcast at 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve, followed by a post-broadcast panel discussion featuring the ensemble. Learn more.
First Night Evanston: Join First Night Evanston in “wringing out the old year and ringing in the new” with harmonica legend Corky Siegel and friends in a virtual year-end concert on Thurs., Dec. 31 at 10 p.m. Following the concert, there will be a live Zoom with Corky and others for a sing-a-long version of Auld Lang Syne at midnight. Register to attend.
 Don't forget to tree-cycle
City crews will pick up Christmas trees for recycling beginning this Mon., Jan. 4 through Fri., Jan. 29 on residents' regular refuse pickup day. View tree pickup guidelines.
What to do with burned out bulbs: Holiday string lighting and extension cords can be dropped off for recycling at the Levy Center, Ecology Center, and Robert Crown Center through January 31.
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 decrease
 Graph does not include cases reported on Wednesday, December 30.
Evanston’s seven-day moving average of confirmed daily cases decreased to 14.29 new cases per day, compared to 29 new cases per day a week ago. The seven-day average of new cases per 100,000 residents decreased in Evanston (136.1), remaining significantly below Skokie (255.18), Chicago (279.29), Cook County (268), and Illinois (294.43).
Twenty-two new COVID-19 cases were reported today in Evanston. The city has had 3,081 total confirmed cases to date, and 94 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19.
Positivity rate decreases
The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate also decreased to 2.94 percent, compared to 5.4 percent one week ago. The positivity rate in Evanston remains lower than the state (7.6 percent) and county (10.4 percent). Local COVID-19 hospital admissions remained steady over the last week.
COVID-19 Testing Event at ETHS, January 3
 The City and IDPH are partnering to host another COVID-19 testing event at ETHS this Sun., Jan. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is open to all residents regardless of symptoms; no registration is required. Both drive-through and walk-up testing will be available. More information.
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.
Vaccine Update
 Luisa Penepacker, RN, Intensive Care Unit, receives the COVID-19 vaccination at Evanston Hospital. (Photo by Jon Hillenbrand)
The City’s Health and Human Services Department continues to distribute limited supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to frontline healthcare workers at NorthShore University HealthSystem and AMITA Health St. Francis Hospital. On Thursday, the City will begin vaccine distribution to Evanston paramedics.
As vaccine supplies increase in the coming weeks, distribution will continue to priority groups as outlined in the state’s COVID-19 mass vaccination plan, including healthcare workers, residents and staff of long-term care and congregate living facilities, first responders, essential workers, and those most vulnerable to severe illness and complications from COVID-19. Following distribution to these priority groups, vaccines will be made available to the general public at designated City vaccination sites in the months to come. The City will continue to communicate updates to the public as they are available.
Support the Evanston Community Rapid Response Fund
 There are only a few days left to join Mayor Hagerty and the Evanston Community Foundation in their effort to raise $2 million in two months for Evanston families most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re just $130,000 away from our goal! Donate now before the year is over.
More news and events
Reminder: Morton Civic Center remains closed to the public
Although the Morton Civic Center remains closed to the public, the City Collector's Office has opened a temporary office at the Robert Crown Community Center and Library. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please note that City facilities are closed on New Year's Day. View more holiday service updates.
Mental Health Town Hall, January 12
Learn how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental health and help shape a community response at a Mental Health Town Hall on Tues., Jan. 12 at 7 p.m., facilitated by staff from The Family Institute, NAMI, AMITA Health, and PEER Services.
Register for a pop-up food pantry
The City is coordinating pop-up food pantries for those who qualify on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. The next pop-up pantry will take place on January 9. Once registered, participants will be directed to the pick-up locations closest to them.
Submit a comment on EPD accreditation
The Evanston Police Department is in the final stages of accreditation through the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP). To complete the process, ILEAP assessors will perform an on-site assessment on January 20 and 21. You can submit comments to the assessment team by calling 847-866-5086 on January 20 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Community Calendar
Top Instagram photos of 2020
 As we say "goodbye" to 2020 and "hello, please be kind" to 2021, we reviewed our most popular Instagram photos of the past year, including a gorgeous moonrise, a brand new community center, and a misty aerial view of downtown Evanston. Thank you to everyone who helped capture the beauty of our city this past year.
Follow the City of Evanston on Instagram.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thank you for reading, and see you in 2021!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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