Thursday, April 14, 2022 | View in browser
Good afternoon,
Read below for an update on downtown water main work, meet new leaders in the Parks & Rec Department, learn about three ways to celebrate Earth Month, and find out if you're prepared for spring hazards.
Plus, a special shout out to Evanston's "first" first responders.
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Downtown water main work progresses
Work to rehabilitate the City's 30-inch water transmission main continues to progress.
Why it's important: The project includes replacing or lining a nearly century-old 8,200-foot water pipeline that delivers drinking water to downtown Evanston customers and beyond.
Where work is occurring: The pipeline runs north from Davis Street under Benson and Sherman Avenues, and then east under Colfax Street. View the project map.
When work will finish: Work began in late February and is expected to be complete by the fall. Thank you for your patience as we complete this critical once-in-a-lifetime infrastructure project.
 From left: Audrey Thompson, Michael Callahan, and Tim Carter.
New Parks & Rec leaders appointed
This week, Interim City Manager Kelley Gandurski announced three key leadership appointments in the City's Parks & Recreation Department:
- Interim Parks & Recreation Director Audrey Thompson has been appointed to lead the department as director on a permanent basis
- Public Works Forestry Supervisor/Arborist Michael Callahan will join the department as assistant director
- Tim Carter, program coordinator at the Levy Senior Center, has been promoted to serve as lakefront manager
Join the team: The department is hiring for dozens of summer and year-round positions, including camp counselors, music and drama instructors, seasonal maintenance workers, lifeguards, office assistants and more.
Extra incentive: Seasonal staff who maintain their employment with the City for the entire summer season will be entered for a chance to win one of five $500 scholarships.
 Three ways to celebrate Earth Month
1. Clean up your community
Join Downtown Evanston or the Main-Dempster Mile for spring cleanup events, or organize your own neighborhood cleanup. Pick up gloves and trash bags from the Robert Crown Center or Evanston Ecology Center starting Thursday, April 21.
2. Repair and ride
Register to attend the Tuesday Repair Café on April 19 and get your bike ready for spring on April 21 at the Robert Crown Community Center.
3. Practice sustainable landscaping
Interested in installing a rain garden or other green infrastructure? Don't just wing it. Check out these expert resources from the City of Evanston, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (.pdf), and University of Illinois.
 Are you ready for spring weather hazards?
Floods, tornadoes and power outages are all possible during the spring months. Is your household prepared?
Join the Evanston Fire Department and Evanston Public Library for a preparedness seminar on Thursday, April 21, 6:30 p.m., at the Main Library. You'll learn how to minimize risks and stay safe in the event of a spring weather emergency. Register in advance.
COVID-19 Update
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Cases: Evanston reported 197 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, compared to 95 for the week prior. The current seven-day moving average of daily confirmed cases is 28.14.
To date, Evanston has had 11,685 total confirmed cases, and 147 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19. View the City’s interactive COVID-19 dashboard (view on mobile).
Positivity rate: The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate is 2.31 percent, compared to 0.93 percent for the week prior.
Hospitalizations: View local COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Vaccinations: 97.4 percent of residents 5 years and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 88 percent are fully vaccinated. View the City’s vaccination data dashboard (view on mobile) for the latest Evanston-specific vaccination data from the IDPH.
Stay vigilant as cases increase
COVID-19 cases are increasing in Evanston and in areas across the state. Stay vigilant and take the following actions to protect yourself and others:
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Get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Everyone 5 years and older is eligible.
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Get boosted. Boosters are recommended for those ages 12 years and older.
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Get tested. Testing helps identify those at risk of spreading COVID-19.
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Wear a mask. Masks are still encouraged even with the lifting of the indoor mask mandate. Wear the most protective mask you can that fits well.
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Maintain your distance. Avoid crowded spaces and people who are sick. Stay at home if you’re sick. Maintain a six-foot distance from others especially if you and others nearby are at increased risk of severe illness.
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Wash your hands often. Use soap and water and wash for 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
More News and Events
2022 beach passes are now available
Get ready for summer by picking up your free season beach passes! Passes are free to Evanston residents (60201 and 60202) at five locations, and are available for purchase for non-Evanston residents. There's no need to run – passes will be available for pickup throughout the season.
Struggling to pay the bills? Help is available!
Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity are encouraging families to apply for $150 million in utility bill assistance through the Help Illinois Families Program.
Tired of mosquitoes?
Discarded tires can harbor stagnant water, which can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Don't let it happen on your watch! Submit a service request to the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District (NSMAD) and they'll pick up tires from your property and recycle them for free.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
Evanston's 'first' first responders
 Evanston's 911 Telecommunications Center.
Every hour of every day, Evanston 911 telecommunicators are available to provide life-saving instruction and emergency response to those in need. As part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we'd like to thank Evanston's "first" first responders for their dedicated, professional service to our community, and for always being there when we need them most!
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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