Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 | View in browser
Good afternoon,
Read below for information about MLK Day events, tips for shoveling your driveway this winter, seven capital improvement projects coming up in 2022, and more!
Plus, get an Evanston COVID-19 update.
 Celebrate MLK Jr. Day in Evanston
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre and Youth and Senior Theatre Ensemble Project have joined together to broadcast a melodic collage of faces and voices delivering a portion of the iconic "I Have A Dream" speech. The video will be available for viewing on the FJT web page by noon on January 17.
More ways to celebrate: Enjoy MLK Day events throughout Evanston, including a live-streamed re-enactment of Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech, virtual candlelight vigil, Main-Dempster Mile mural dedication, and more.
Holiday service schedule: The City has announced changes in service delivery and facility schedules. Refuse and recycling collections will not occur on Mon., Jan. 17. Monday through Thursday collections will occur one day later than normal.
 Click image to watch video.
Meet the candidates for City Manager
As part of the search for Evanston’s next city manager, community members were invited to meet the two candidates selected as finalists for the position during a virtual community town hall this past Sunday.
Missed the event? No worries, we recorded it! View the video recording online anytime or watch it on Channel 16 on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m., Fridays at 9:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. through January 23.
Once you've watched, please submit your feedback on the candidates.
 7 capital improvement projects to watch in 2022
With a new year upon us, the City is preparing for some big capital improvement projects throughout Evanston. From water main rehabilitation to road repairs to sidewalks, you can look forward to improvements to safety and accessibility. Check out these seven capital improvement projects to keep your eye on this year.
 Click to enlarge.
Snow removal tips and reminders
- When shoveling your driveway, push snow in the same direction plows are moving (clear of streets and sidewalks) and make a pocket on the opposite side of your driveway. Snow plowed by trucks will be dumped into the pocket and is less likely to be plowed back onto your driveway. See the diagram above.
- Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after any accumulation of snow; paths must be at least 36 inches wide.
- As snow rolls off plows, it will sometimes accumulate in driveway aprons, sidewalks and parkways. This is unavoidable, and it is the homeowner's responsibility to keep their sidewalks clear.
- Do not push snow onto adjacent streets, sidewalks or alleys.
- Clear snow from around refuse and recycling containers so that crews can access and empty them.
- Sign up for the City's Volunteer Snow Shoveling program if you'd like to assist neighbors in need, or if you need a hand!
COVID-19 Update
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Cases: Evanston reported 894 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, compared to 663 for the week prior. To date, Evanston has had 9,342 total confirmed cases, and 129 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19.
Positivity rate: The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate is 6.02 percent, compared to 6.89 percent for the week prior.
Hospitalizations: View local COVID-19 hospitalizations over the last month.
Vaccinations: 94.6 percent of residents 5 years and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 84.8 percent are fully vaccinated. View the City’s updated data dashboard (view on mobile) for the latest Evanston-specific vaccination data from the IDPH.
Maximize your protection: Get your booster shot!
Getting vaccinated and boosted remains your best protection from severe illness or hospitalization from COVID-19. View the CDC’s booster shot guidance and schedule your appointment.
Booster eligibility depends upon which vaccine you received initially:
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Pfizer: It’s been at least 5 months since your second dose and you’re 12 or older
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Moderna: It’s been at least 5 months since your second dose and you’re 18 or older
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Johnson & Johnson: It’s been at least 2 months since your first dose and you’re 18 or older
Be cautious of ‘pop-up’ testing sites
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office issued guidance this week regarding “pop-up” COVID-19 testing sites that are not certified by state or local public health departments. Community members are encouraged to visit State-certified testing sites first.
Evanston testing locations include:
Visit the websites listed above for appointment information.
IDPH adopts CDC guidance for quarantine and isolation
The IDPH has adopted the CDC’s recommendation to reduce the number of days for isolation and quarantine for the general public, reducing isolation from 10 days to 5 days for individuals who test positive but do not have any symptoms.
Close contacts: If you've been exposed to someone with COVID-19 but are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations (meaning you've received your initial vaccine series and a booster shot, if eligible), you do not need to quarantine if you can mask for the full 10 days after exposure. If you're not up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations, the quarantine period is 5 days after the exposure to a positive case with an additional 5 days of masking.
This guidance generally applies to K-12 schools; however, healthcare, congregate care and childcare centers should continue to follow guidance specific to their groups.
Changes to contact tracing
 Since the start of the pandemic, the Evanston Health & Human Services Department has conducted contact tracing to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
Starting today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will shift contact tracing from local health departments to the state, centralizing efforts through its Surge Contact Tracing Call Center. Evanston residents who test positive will receive a text message from the IDPH.
Learn more about contact tracing on the City’s COVID-19 page.
More News and Events
Temporary reduced hours for Collector's and Clerk's Offices
Due to staffing shortages brought on by COVID-19, the Collector's Office and Clerk's Office at the Morton Civic Center will have reduced hours through January 28. Temporary hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Central Street Insidewalk & Curbsidewalk Sale
Get ready for Central Street's annual Insidewalk & Curbsidewalk Sale from January 13 through 16! Don't miss out on extra savings on fall and winter clearance items. Shop safe in store or online.
Robert Crown walking track closed this weekend
Due to a national figure skating competition, the Robert Crown Community Center walking track will be closed Sat., Jan. 15 through Mon., Jan. 17. Public ice skating will also not be available during this time.
Outdoor ice skating reminders
Please stay off the ice at outdoor skating rinks when "no skating" signs are posted. The Baker Park ice rink will be closed until further notice due to punctured lining. View outdoor rink status.
Provide your input on improving community health
NorthShore University HealthSystem is conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment to understand the unmet health needs of the community and is requesting your input through a community survey.
Check the status of your parking citations online
Do you have three or more parking citations? Check the status of your citations online and find out if your vehicle is subject to booting. The City has resumed vehicle immobilizations after suspending them in March 2020.
Submit an application to create street art
The Evanston Fourth of July Association has launched a Public Art Project in conjunction with its 100-year anniversary celebration this year. Submit an application to create street art with the themes of community, diversity or the 4th of July.
Winter safety tips for your home
To help you enjoy a safe winter season, the Evanston Fire Department has provided a list of safety tips to prevent fires and other accidents in your home, including safety tips for electric space heaters.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
Congrats, Evanston Public Works!
Completed in 2021, the project included replacement of a five-million gallon water treatment and storage reservoir, implementation of a new pumping system, and conversion of a parking lot into green space.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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