 
Thursday, August 5, 2021 | View in browser
Good afternoon!
Read below for information about updated masking guidelines, the next two Starlight Movies in the Park, the 2022 wheel tax, and more.
Plus, check out the new art installation outside of the Robert Crown Community Center & Library!
 Update to Masking Guidelines
Wear a mask in public indoor settings – even if you’re fully vaccinated
Evanston currently has 73.5 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents in a seven-day period, and is considered to be an area of “substantial transmission” as defined by the CDC. The City’s Health & Human Services Department has updated its masking guidelines in alignment with the latest guidance from the CDC, IDPH and Cook County Department of Public Health. Key points include:
- Individuals over 2 years of age should wear a mask in all public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. This includes at offices, businesses, restaurants and bars, fitness centers, grocery stores, and other public venues.
- Fully vaccinated people are recommended to wear a mask if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease, or not fully vaccinated.
- Masks continue to be required for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, at K-12 schools, indoors at City facilities and library locations, in healthcare and long-term care settings, and on public transportation.
- Those who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a face covering and practice social distancing at all indoor businesses and venues, as well as in outdoor public settings when maintaining a six-foot distance from others is not possible.
 2022 Wheel Tax Payments Now Available
The payment period has now opened for Evanston residents to pay for their City of Evanston wheel tax, residential parking permits, and residential parking passes for 2022. Preprinted renewal notices will be mailed to residents in the coming days with an online renewal ID (Link Code) and instructions. Learn more about the wheel tax.
 Look for the City's new digital screen at Starlight Movies this summer.
Bringing the movie theater outdoors!
Starlight Movies in the Park continue this week with The Greatest Showman on Sat., Aug. 7 at Larimer Park (Crain St. and Oak Ave.) and Aladdin (2019) on Tues., Aug. 10 at Baker Park (Forest Ave. and Keeney St). Movies begin at 7 p.m.
Bigger, brighter, better: This summer, community members are enjoying Starlight Movies on a bright, new digital screen, which can show movies at any time of day. (No more waiting until dusk.)
 Housing and eviction resources
Eviction moratoriums extended: This week, the CDC announced a new eviction moratorium through October 3 for counties with substantial or high transmission of COVID-19, including Cook County. Don't wait to get help. Complete the CDC's Eviction Protection Declaration form (español).
Free legal assistance: Are you behind on your mortgage, rent or property tax payment? Do you have an unresolved eviction issue? You may be eligible for free legal help through Cook County Legal Aid.
Financial assistance: Help is also available for mortgage and rent payments, rent deposits, utility payments, and other housing issues through the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County.
COVID-19 Update
Cases, Positivity Rates and Hospitalizations
 Click to enlarge.
Cases: Evanston reported 54 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, compared to 30 for the week prior.
To date, the city has had 4,752 total confirmed cases, and 118 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19.
Positivity rate: The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate is 2.06 percent, up from 1.71 percent for the seven days prior.
Hospitalizations: Local COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased following the rise in cases.
Did you recently attend a large gathering? Those who’ve taken part in activities that place them at a higher risk for COVID-19, such as attending large social events or mass gatherings that don’t allow for social distancing, like Lollapalooza, should get tested. Find a testing location.
Vaccinations
 The City provided walk-up vaccinations at last weekend’s Jamaican Independence Day celebration at James Park.
Evanston continues to outpace state and national vaccination rates. To date, approximately 85 percent of residents 12 years and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and nearly 79 percent are fully vaccinated.
View the City’s updated data dashboard (view on mobile) for the latest Evanston-specific vaccination data from the IDPH.
Protect yourself and others. Getting vaccinated is the best protection from severe illness or complications from COVID-19. If you haven’t yet been vaccinated, now is the time! COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and free, and vaccination appointments are widely available. Visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccination appointment or call 1-800-232-0233.
Need a ride to get vaccinated? Cook County’s “Destination: Vaccination” program provides free rides to many vaccination locations within suburban Cook County. The program will enable individuals with limited mobility or transportation issues to easily get vaccinated, removing a key barrier for many. Just call 833-308-1988 to schedule your ride.
More news and events
Out of Space at Canal Shores, August 5-8
The Out of Space concert series will take place at Canal Shores Golf Course starting tonight, Thurs., Aug. 5 through Sun., Aug. 8. Check out the Out of Space lineup.
First Friday at Mason Park, August 6
Enjoy fun activities for all ages at the First Friday Family Night at Mason Park, located at Church Street and Florence Avenue, this Fri., Aug. 6, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., as part of the My City, Your City, Our City initiative!
Community Building Equity Summit, August 6
Youth are invited to participate in the 2021 Community Building Equity Summit: Processing the Pandemic, presented by the City of Evanston and Cradle to Career, at Mason Park this Fri., Aug. 6, noon to 5 p.m. Activities will include workshops on mental health and nutrition, as well as restorative circles, yoga and Zumba lessons. Register for the summit.
Upcoming Food Pantry Events, August 7 and 10
Pop-up Pantry: Temporary pop-up food pantries are available on the first and third Saturday of every month, including this Sat., Aug. 7.
Produce Mobile (new location): Interfaith Action of Evanston's Produce Mobile will visit Evanston on Tues. Aug. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Robert Crown Community Center.
Planning for Zero Emissions, August 10
Learn how Evanston is charting a path forward to carbon neutrality for its municipal operations by 2035! Join the City's Office of Sustainability, CNT, and Elevate for a webinar on Tues., Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. Register.
IPAWS National Alert System Test, August 11
FEMA and the FCC are planning a nationwide emergency alert test for Wed., Aug. 11 at 1:20 p.m. CDT. Test messages will be sent to TVs and radios, along with select cell phones that have opted-in to receive test messages.
Community Calendar
See 'Inclusiva' at Robert Crown Center
 Have you seen Evanston's newest art installation? Inclusiva, by artist Blessing Hancock, is an original sculpture that draws inspiration from the celebratory nature of the Robert Crown Community Center.
The surface pattern includes words from community members and represents the aspirations of the Evanston community. As you explore the words wrapped along the surface, you'll identify with the themes of welcoming and inclusivity. (Tip: Check it out at night!)
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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