Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 | View in browser
Good afternoon,
Read below for information about summer camp registration, helpful property tax guidance, ways to provide feedback on community initiatives, and more!
 Summer...is that you calling?
There's still plenty of snow on the ground, but summer will be here before you know it! Start planning now.
Summer camps: Our Summer Camp Guide is available online. As a reminder, resident summer camp registration day is this Sat., Feb. 12 beginning online at 8 a.m. See detailed registration day information and instructions and learn more.
Summer jobs: Registration is now open for the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program Job Fair! This year's job fair will be held on Sat., March 12 at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center.
 What to know about property taxes
In response to COVID-19, the Cook County Assessor’s Office will continue the automatic renewal of multiple property tax exemptions this year. Here's what you should know.
Get help filing 2021 income taxes: The Levy Senior Center, in partnership with AARP Foundation, is offering free tax-aide preparation appointments for those ages 50 and over. Tax-aide preparation will operate as a drive-thru service. Appointments are required by calling 847-448-8250.
First installment of 2021 property tax bill: The first installment of 2021 property tax bills were mailed at the end of January. This installment is 55 percent of a property's tax for the previous year and is due on March 1.
 Share your thoughts with the community
Central Street Business District: Central Street Evanston is rebranding the Central Street Business District! The brand will come to life in banners, wayfinding, programs, communications, and public art. Share your thoughts through a survey by Sun., Feb. 13.
Tree Ordinance: The City is considering a new tree ordinance to protect trees on private property. Natural Habitat Evanston, a program of Citizens’ Greener Evanston, has developed a survey to gather community input before drafting a tree preservation ordinance. Share your thoughts.
Community Health Needs Assessment: Help NorthShore University Health System understand the unmet health needs of the community. Your input will help them create a plan to improve community health. Take the survey through Sat., Feb. 12.
COVID-19 Update
 Cases: Evanston reported 184 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, compared to 281 for the week prior. To date, Evanston has had 10,751 total confirmed cases, and 141 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19.
Positivity rate: The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate is 1.84 percent, compared to 2.15 percent for the week prior.
Hospitalizations: View local COVID-19 hospitalizations over the last month.
Vaccinations: 96.7 percent of residents 5 years and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 86.6 percent are fully vaccinated. View the City’s updated data dashboard (view on mobile) for the latest Evanston-specific vaccination data from the IDPH.
FDA Reviewing Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines Doses for Children Under 5
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is preparing to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to those ages 6 months through 4 years after Pfizer-BioNTech submitted data last week to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking to amend its emergency use authorization (EUA) to allow children younger than 5 years to receive its COVID-19 vaccine. The request for authorization of the first two doses of a planned three-dose primary series will still need to be reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Mask Mandate Update
In the light of the Governor's announcement regarding removing the indoor mask mandate for public indoor settings, we are pleased as a City in how we are trending including the strategies that were put in place during the height of Omicron, and are encouraged by the State’s recent plan to lift its mask mandate on February 28. The City’s mitigation measures for our mask mandates have been guided by COVID-19 metrics, guidelines and data. This has helped us protect our health system and save lives.
As a city, we will continue to review COVID-19 metrics, and if we continue to experience declines in these leading COVID-19 metrics, a determination will be made on how to proceed with mask mandates at that time.
More News and Events
Celebrate Black History Month
February is Black History Month! Celebrate and recognize the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are a part of our country's history by participating in community events throughout February.
Submit 2022 building permits early
With a high volume of building permit activity expected again this spring and summer, the City is encouraging residents and businesses to submit permits as soon as possible this year to avoid delays to their projects.
We're hiring!
Interested in working in the public sector? Now is the perfect time to start a career with the City of Evanston! Join the Community Development, Parks & Recreation, or Public Works Departments in a variety of open positions.
Community garden lottery
The City offers residents around 220 community garden plots to rent from mid-March through mid-November. Since returning gardeners have first priority to renew their contracts, there's a limited number of plots available each year. Register for a chance to rent a plot in 2022!
Stay off lakefront shelf ice
As a safety reminder, avoid walking on shelf ice that builds up along the lakefront. Walking on shelf ice is extremely dangerous for people and pets. Please remain on the sand at all times.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
Dine your way through February!
 Devour delicious culinary offerings from restaurants on Chicago's North Shore during North Shore Restaurant Month. Enjoy discounts, family meal deals, specialty menus and more throughout February. Check out participating Evanston restaurants.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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