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Good afternoon,
Read below for information about ASAPI Heritage Month Arts Festival, updated face covering guidance, the City's new Community Solar Program, and more!
 ASAPI Heritage Month Arts Festival this Saturday
Join the Kitchen Table Stories Project, Asian American Caucus and City of Evanston for a community celebration of Asian, South Asian, and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month! Come out to Fountain Square this Sat., May 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to enjoy cultural performances and art making activities for the whole family. Register for this free event.
 Next Skate Park Public Meeting, May 25
Join the conversation regarding a new Evanston skate park at a virtual meeting on Tues., May 25, at 5:30 p.m. City staff will review public survey results, share short-term and long-term plans, and gather further public input and ideas.
 Join the City's new Community Solar Program
Want to support solar energy and save money on your electric bill? The City has partnered with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and Chicago-based MC-Squared Energy Services to participate in the MMC CS2 Residential Community Solar Program, which helps residents and small businesses save money and develop renewable energy.
Program participants will save 20 percent on the energy supply portion of their monthly bills based on the solar generation credits achieved for their account. Enroll today!
COVID-19 Update
Updated face covering guidance
 Face coverings continue to be required on public transportation and in healthcare settings, schools and daycare centers, congregate settings, City facilities, and in businesses that choose to require them.
Following guidance from the CDC and IDPH, fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear face coverings in most indoor and outdoor settings in Evanston.
What does 'fully vaccinated' mean?
You’re considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Where are face coverings still required?
All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must continue to wear a face covering in the following settings:
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Public transportation
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Health care settings
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Schools and daycare centers
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Congregate settings
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City facilities, community centers, libraries, and at City events, including the Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market
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Businesses that choose to require face coverings
The City will continue to evaluate face covering requirements as the state approaches Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois recovery plan, anticipated to occur next month.
What if I'm not yet fully vaccinated?
If you're not yet fully vaccinated, continue to wear a face covering in all public settings when maintaining a six-foot distance from others is not practical.
Vaccinations
 Cheryl Judice of Hecky's Barbecue shares why Evanston residents shouldn't hesitate to get vaccinated.
View the City’s data dashboard (view on mobile) for the latest Evanston-specific vaccination data from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). As of May 17:
- 79 percent of Evanston residents 12 and older have received at least one vaccine dose
- 63 percent of Evanston residents 12 and older are fully vaccinated
Get your shot: Pfizer vaccine clinic this Saturday at ETHS
Appointments are still available for individuals 12 years and older at this Saturday's Pfizer vaccination event at Evanston Township High School. Learn more and register for an appointment.
Scheduled and walk-in appointments are also widely available at trusted providers throughout the area. Call the toll-free, multilingual IDPH hotline at 833-621-1284 if you need assistance scheduling an appointment.
Cases and Positivity Rates
 Evanston’s seven-day moving average of daily cases decreased to 3.71 new cases per day, compared to 4.43 new cases one week ago. Zero cases were reported today in Evanston. The city has had 4,622 total confirmed cases to date, and 117 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19.
As of May 17, the seven-day rate of new cases per 100,000 residents decreased in Evanston (39.47), Chicago (75.02) and Illinois (85.41), and increased in Skokie (103.67).
Positivity rate and hospital admissions
The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate is 0.65 percent, compared to 0.55 percent one week ago. Local COVID-19 hospital admissions decreased.
More news and events
Purchase an Evanston Gift Card!
Downtown Evanston has launched a new Evanston Gift Card, a community-based, digital gift card that makes it fun and easy to support our local businesses.
Interested in a career in law enforcement?
The Evanston Police Department is hosting an informational recruitment event where potential candidates can speak directly with an officer and ask questions about the department and its hiring process. Come out on Sat., May 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center.
Seasonal lawn watering and leaf blower reminders
Lawn watering: In accordance with requirements from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, lawn watering restrictions are in place through September 15, with lawn watering prohibited citywide between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of these hours, lawn watering is permitted for odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered dates and for even-numbered addresses on even-numbered dates. Gardens and lawns with newly laid sod or seeding are exempt from these limits.
Leaf blowers: Backpack-mounted or handheld gasoline-powered leaf blowers are not allowed for use between May 16 and September 29.
Emerson Street temporary closure
The Northwestern Facilities Department is performing a steam distribution improvement project that will require Emerson Street to be closed between 619 Emerson St. and Sheridan Road between May 24 and 28.
Stay Engaged
Community Calendar
 Click image to play video
Did you know that Evanston has over 50 local businesses owned by Americans of Asian, South Asian and Pacific Island descent? May is ASAPI Heritage Month. Make sure to get out and support our local Asian-owned small businesses throughout the month and all year long!
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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