 
Thursday, March 25, 2021 | View in browser
Good evening,
Read below for a COVID-19 vaccination update, information about the Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program, a reminder about food and yard waste pickup, and more!
COVID-19 Update
 Vaccinations
To date, the City has administered or distributed more than 19,000 total COVID-19 vaccine doses as part of Phase 1A and 1B. View and explore the City’s interactive COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard (view on mobile) for Evanston-specific data.
Progress this week
The City has substantially vaccinated individuals 65 years and older, and is now administering vaccines to other Phase 1B and Phase 1B+ individuals. Below is a summary of vaccines administered this week:
- On Tuesday, the City administered approximately 400 1st doses to individuals 65 years and older and Phase 1B frontline essential workers.
- Today, the City administered more than 350 2nd doses to residents at congregate living and shelter facilities.
- On Friday, the City will administer approximately 600 1st doses to Phase 1B essential workers. In addition, approximately 300 1st doses will be provided to Phase 1B+ individuals through the City’s partnership with AMITA Health St. Francis Hospital.
Next week and beyond
Below is a summary of vaccines anticipated to be administered next week:
- The City will work with AMITA Health St. Francis to host several 1st dose vaccination events for Phase 1B+ individuals.
- Additional vaccination events will be planned as supplies are confirmed and received.
FAQ: Will all Evanston adults (16+) be eligible for the vaccine on April 12, as Governor Pritzker has announced?
Yes. Individuals 16 years or older who live or work in Evanston will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning April 12. Please remember that eligibility does not mean availability, and the pace of vaccinations will continue to depend entirely on the amount of doses the City receives each week. Please stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.
Reminder: Evanston residents eligible for Cook County MassVac sites
If you’re eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and are able to secure a vaccination appointment through Cook County or another trusted provider in Illinois, you’re encouraged to do so. Need help finding a vaccine appointment? The state has launched a multi-lingual toll-free Vaccine Appointment Call Center, at 833-621-1284.
Reminder: Complete the City’s Vaccination Contact Form
If you haven’t already, please complete Evanston’s Vaccination Contact Form (español) so that the City can contact you as soon as the vaccine is available to you. If you’re 65 years and older and homebound, please complete the In-Home COVID-19 Vaccination Contact Form (español).
Situation Update
Confirmed daily cases increase
 Evanston’s seven-day moving average of confirmed daily cases increased to 6.86 new cases per day, compared to 5.29 new cases one week ago. Seven COVID-19 cases were reported today in Evanston. The city has had 4,099 total confirmed cases to date, and 114 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19.
As of March 24, the seven-day rate of new cases per 100,000 residents is trending upward in Evanston (61.25), Skokie (149.92), Chicago (93.54), Cook County (98) and Illinois (110.03).
Positivity rate increases
The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate increased to 0.88 percent compared to 0.61 percent one week ago. Local COVID-19 hospital admissions also rose.
Stay vigilant
Practice the 3 Ws: Wear a mask, watch your social distance, and wash your hands.
 City approves historic reparations program
On Monday, City Council approved the first-ever allocation of the City’s groundbreaking Local Reparations Fund, voting to provide $400,000 in housing assistance and mortgage relief to eligible residents through the City’s Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program. The program accounts for 4 percent of the $10 million in funding designated by the City Council to support local reparations programs and initiatives in Evanston.
Who's eligible? Individuals may be eligible to receive up to $25,000 in assistance if they lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969 or are a direct descendant of an individual harmed by discriminatory housing policies or practices during this time period. Individuals who lived in Evanston after 1969 and can demonstrate discriminatory housing practices by the City may also be eligible.
When can I apply? Applications for the Restorative Housing Program are anticipated to open during the summer of 2021. View draft program guidelines and FAQs.
Evanston Equitable Recovery Fund: The Family Independence Initiative has launched the Evanston Equitable Recovery Fund, a program to provide 25 qualified Evanston residents with a $300 per month payment for 10 months. Learn more and apply.
 Early voting has begun! Have you voted yet?
Early voting for the April 6 Consolidated General Election will continue through April 5 at the Morton Civic Center, Room G300.
Quick note: Mayor-Elect Daniel Biss will appear on Evanston General Election ballots; however, this race was already decided in February's Primary Election. Votes cast for Mayor in the General Election will not be tallied.
Who's on my ballot? Use the Cook County Clerk's Your Voter Information tool to find out which candidates are on your ballot and more.
Where can I drop off my mail ballot? View mail ballot drop box locations, including Skokie Courthouse. A drop box will not be available at the Morton Civic Center.
 Food and yard waste collections begin April 1
Weekly food and yard waste collections for the 2021 season begin on Thurs., April 1. As a reminder, food scraps can ride along with grass clippings and leaves in food and yard waste carts or can be picked up by Collective Resource, the City's exclusive food scrap hauler.
Spring bulk trash pickup: Ready for spring cleaning? The City offers the free removal of up to six cubic yards of bulk garbage on Fridays, April 2 through April 23, scheduled according to residents' normal refuse pickup day. More information.
 It's not too late to register for summer camps!
Registration for Evanston summer camps is still open and a number of camps have spots available! Make sure to register soon before camps fill up. Check out the 2021 Summer Camp Guide to browse the wide variety of program options available.
 Building pathways to success
Last weekend, the City hosted its annual Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP) Job Fair at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center. With COVID-19 safety precautions in place, approximately 350 youth and more than 20 local employers participated.
 Enjoy a night at the drive-in!
Support Evanston Rotary clubs while enjoying dinner and a drive-in movie, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," this Fri., March 26! Get tickets.
More news and events
Provide your input on 4th of July celebrations
Due to the pandemic, the Evanston Fourth of July Association has canceled this year's parade and fireworks show. As the association works to provide a safe alternative to the live festivities, please provide your input on what should be included in future celebrations.
Struggling to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Applications are open for the Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance program, which pays up to 12 months of missed rent and utilities payments and up to three months of future rent payments. Apply and learn more!
Celebrate Earth Month in April
Join the City's Office of Sustainability in celebrating Earth Month by participating in community events and weekly challenges planned throughout April.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
 Photo Credit: E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Evanston local and host of WTTW's new "The Great Chicago Quiz Show," Geoffrey Baer, was recently featured by the Chicago Tribune, where he gave a tour of his Evanston neighborhood and shared some local history. (Note: A subscription may be required to view this article.)
That’s it for today's e-news. Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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