Thursday, May 5, 2022 | View in browser
Good afternoon,
Read below for information on next steps in the city manager search process, an update on Evanston's reparations program, and more!
Plus, the Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market opens this weekend!
 Click image to view video.
We want your thoughts on the next city manager
On Tuesday night, the two candidates selected as finalists for Evanston's next city manager participated in a virtual town hall. Watch the video and provide your feedback on the candidates by filling out a survey.
What's next? On Friday, both candidates will be interviewed by panels of community stakeholders, City staff directors, non-senior City staff, and City Council members. After feedback is collected from all groups, City Council will deliberate at the next Council meeting on May 9.
 Farmers' market season has arrived!
The Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market will kick off its 47th season this Sat., May 7 with over 60 vendors selling everything from fruit to flowers to baked goods. The Market will be open every Saturday through November 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at University Place and Oak Avenue.
 Thank you, City of Evanston staff!
This week is Public Service Recognition Week, a federal observance recognizing the value of public service, and honoring those who serve the public at the federal, state, county, and local level. Join us in recognizing and thanking our City staff whose hard work and dedication helps to make Evanston a better place to live and work.
 Reparations beneficiaries receive honorary plaques.
First round of reparations benefits selected
The first 16 beneficiaries of the City's historic Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program have selected the benefits they’ll receive as part of the program! Each individual will receive up to $25,000 to use towards a home purchase, mortgage assistance or home improvements.
Now what: The $400,000 in funding set to benefit these individuals as part of the program represents 4 percent of the City’s $10 million commitment to local reparations. Future reparations initiatives will be developed through additional community outreach by the Reparations Committee.
COVID-19 Update
Due to an increase in the number of positive cases of COVID-19, Evanston is at the “Medium” level of transmission. Local hospitalization at this time has not significantly risen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Community Levels Framework defines “Medium” transmission as higher than 200 cases per 100,000 residents. As of May 5, 2022, Evanston is reporting 390.47 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days.
Cases: Evanston reported 305 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, compared to 210 for the week prior. The current seven-day moving average of daily confirmed cases is 43.57.
COVID-19 Community Risk Level: Medium
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Hospitalizations: View local COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Based on the current CDC guidance, HHS recommends:
- wearing a mask indoors to protect those at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19
- People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask
- socializing outdoors if possible and avoiding poorly ventilated indoor settings,
- getting tested before attending a family or public event. Home tests are ideal for this purpose
- contacting your doctor right away to get treatment for COVID-19 if you are diagnosed
- staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
- getting any COVID-19 vaccine boosters that you are eligible for.
To date, Evanston has had 12,401 total confirmed cases, and 148 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19. View the City’s interactive COVID-19 dashboard (view on mobile).
Vaccinations: 97.3 percent of residents 5 years and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 88.4 percent are fully vaccinated. View the City’s vaccination data dashboard (view on mobile) for the latest Evanston-specific vaccination data from the IDPH.
Positivity rate: As a result of the announcement that testing providers are no longer required to report some negative test results, IDPH and Evanston HHS will no longer know how many tests are being performed and will therefore no longer report test and case positivity.
More News and Events
May is Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month
Celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans during the month of May by participating in community events including the Umbrella Arts Festival and Lantern Floating Ceremony. ICYMI, May is also Jewish American Heritage Month!
What's happening at NU in May?
Check out what's happening at Northwestern in May, including a program of short documentary films, a Baseball Game & Indoor Movie Night, and more!
State of the City Luncheon
Join the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Biss for the 2022 Mayor's State of the City Luncheon on Fri., May 20, 10:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Palmhouse. Registration is open until May 18.
Tell us what you think!
Fees, Fines and Payment Options Survey
To help reduce barriers to City services and lessen financial burdens on Evanston households, you're encouraged to provide your input on City fees, fines and payment options through a confidential survey.
Racial Equity Survey
The City’s Equity and Empowerment Commission is seeking your input on racial equity issues in Evanston through a community survey available in English and Spanish. Share your thoughts and lived experiences today!
Join in for the next Skate Park meeting
Review the final concept plan developed for Evanston's new skate park planned for the east end of Twiggs Park at a virtual public meeting on Tues., May 17, 6 p.m.
Sign up for composting in Evanston
This week is International Compost Awareness Week! Learn more about composting in Evanston and sign up for food scrap composting through the City’s exclusive food scrap hauler, Collective Resource Compost.
Are you prepared for summer weather hazards?
Receive a free flashlight and learn about how to get ready for whatever summer has in store at the City's Summer Preparedness Seminar on Thurs., May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
Curious where your drinking water comes from?
 Click image to play video.
National Drinking Water Week, May 1-7, encourages us all to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives. This year's theme is "There when you need it."
The City of Evanston provides more than 400,000 residents in Evanston and surrounding communities with reliable, high-quality drinking water. Curious how this water gets to your tap? Check out our video to learn about Evanston's drinking water treatment process!
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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