Good afternoon,

Read below for information about how the City is preparing for winter, opportunities to share input on the 2023 Budget, our Emergency Preparedness Fair this weekend, early voting, and more!

Plus, meet our adorable, adoptable pet of the month!

Top Stories

Winter prep is underway!

Winter is right around the corner and we're busy preparing! Over the past few months, the City’s Fleet team has been readying winter equipment, including 77 snow plows, three leaf pushers, salt spreaders, and more!

A team effort: Every year, equipment is prepped and inspected in multiple phases, involving the expertise of fleet mechanics, Fleet and Facility managers, and Public Works supervisors. This coordinated effort is part of the reason we were named one of the “100 Best Fleets” in 2022!

How you can help: As much as we hate to say it, it's time to start thinking about snow! Check out the City's Snow Parking page to sign up for convenient parking notifications, review snow parking rules, and more.

Are you ready for your next emergency?

Attend the City's Emergency Preparedness Fair this Sat., Oct. 22 and Sun., Oct. 23 at the Robert Crown Community Center! Take part in a cybersecurity workshop, pick up a free preparedness kit (while supplies last), and visit with Evanston community partners.

Learn lifesaving skills: Register for free CPR classes that will be offered at the fair throughout the weekend.

Take the Access Evanston Tour: Learn the challenges and triumphs of those with disabilities by registering for this free bus tour of Evanston.

Cast your ballot! Early voting begins Monday

Early voting for the November 8 Gubernatorial Election will take place October 24 through November 7 at the Morton Civic Center, Room G300.  

Voting locations: View other early voting locations and find your registered polling location for Election Day. 

What's in the City's 2023 Proposed Budget?

The City has released its 2023 Proposed Budget, which prioritizes infrastructure investments, climate action and community development. 

Timeline: The spending proposal was presented to City Council on Monday, kicking off a monthlong public engagement process.

Get involved: Attend an upcoming town hall meeting to learn about and provide feedback on the budget. 

Get in the Halloween spirit!

Calling all zombies: Show off your best walking dead impression by volunteering for the Oct. 22 Zombie Scramble! Must be 16 years or older. Makeup and costumes will be provided!

Trick-or-Treat on Central Street: Celebrate Halloween with Central Street Evanston on Sat., Oct. 22. 

Spooky Saturday on the Main-Dempster Mile: On Sat., Oct. 29, trick-or-treat the businesses of southeast Evanston. Costumes encouraged!

The big day: Official City of Evanston trick-or-treat hours are Mon., Oct. 31, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

COVID-19 Update

Cases: Evanston reported 90 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, compared to 74 for the week prior. The current seven-day moving average of daily confirmed cases is 12.86. 

COVID-19 Community Risk Level: LOW

Hospitalizations: View local COVID-19 hospitalizations.

To date, Evanston has had 16,873 total confirmed cases, and 157 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19. View the City’s interactive COVID-19 dashboard (view on mobile). 

Stay up to date on your COVID vaccines

As we approach the winter months, you're strongly encouraged to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. Contact your local pharmacy or primary care physician to get your updated Pfizer or Moderna bivalent booster, or visit www.vaccines.gov to schedule an appointment that is convenient for you. If you’re homebound due to a medical condition or are otherwise unable to visit a provider, complete the City's In-Home Bivalent Booster Vaccination Survey.

City, NU host monkeypox vaccination clinic

Earlier today, the City's Health & Human Services Department partnered with Northwestern University to host a monkeypox vaccination clinic open to eligible Evanston residents as well as NU students, faculty and staff. Seventy-six community members received the vaccine at the event!

The City and NU will host another clinic on Thurs., Nov. 17. Registration is required. View monkeypox vaccine eligibility requirements and more.

More News and Events

Learn more about Evanston reparations

Attend a Reparations Town Hall Meeting to hear updates on the Evanston Reparations Initiative and learn about the larger reparations framework. The Town Hall will take place in-person and virtually this Sat., Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Second Baptist Church. Register in advance!

Are you ready for snow?

The City is offering its annual Snow Shoveling Program this winter to connect older adult residents and persons with disabilities with volunteers who are offering snow shoveling services.

Stay informed about additional fall street cleaning

Additional fall street cleaning dates are planned for residential streets in November and early December to clear debris before winter. Signage will be posted and parking restrictions will be enforced. Need a reminder? Sign up for text message or email parking notifications.

Find out what's happening at Northwestern in late October

Northwestern is offering several exciting events for you and your family to reconnect with the campus community in October. Enjoy group exercise classes, live theatre, art exhibitions and more!

Make sure to pay any delinquent property taxes

The Cook County Treasurer's Office will be mailing certified notices informing property owners that their unpaid taxes from 2020 are to be sold. Check your property and make a payment if necessary before the sale begins on November 15 to avoid a lien against your property. 

Get Engaged

• Virtual 1st Ward Meeting, October 20
• Evanston Shoreline Repairs Community Open House, October 25
• Virtual 9th Ward Meeting, October 26
• Virtual 8th Ward Meeting, October 27
• Virtual 5th Ward Meeting, October 27
• 2nd Ward Meeting, October 27

Community Calendar

• Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts Presents "Imagine U: Me…Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall," Oct. 21 - Nov. 6
• McGaw YMCA: Party in Pink Dance Party, Oct. 22
• Hindu YUVA presents "Ramleela, The Story of Ram," Oct. 23
• FAN Zoom Event - Courageous Discomfort: How to Have Important, Brave, Life-Changing Conversations about Race and Racism, Oct. 25
• FAN Zoom Event - Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship, Oct. 27
• A Day in the Life of the Robert Crown Community Center, Oct. 29
• Evanston MashUp, Nov. 2

Adoptable Pet of the Month: Big Boi!

Meet Big Boi, the Evanston Animal Shelter's adoptable pet of the month! This handsome lug has developed his own fan club at the shelter, happily chirping a greeting at all his admirers as they pass his cage. Big Boi is a special, quirky cat and will bring some lucky adopter a ton of fun and amusement. Big Boi would like to be the only pet and is looking for a home without children. 

Interested in adoption? Fill out an application.