Monthly Archives: December 2020

Christmas Time in Chicago!

Forget about the fact that Chicago is home to many Christmas movies (just think Christmas with the Kranks, the classic Home Alone, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation to name but a few), it just seems like Chicago was made for Christmas!  So how can we – in corona pandemic times – still enjoy the magic of a Chicagoan Christmas, support local businesses and stay safe?  We take a little look in this article.

On Christmas Eve from 4-8pm and Christmas Day from 4-9pm, Jack’s Winter Walk and Christmas Tree Farm Pop-Up  is offering its guests 2+ acres of land around Goose Island.  Bring the family to choose your perfect Christmas Tree, do a selfie with the trees, bring headphones and dance around the fresh air with the smell of Christmas and run along Chicago’s one and only evergreen Christmas Tree Trail.  Of course, all in accordance with Coronavirus Health and Safety standards.

If you’re getting a bit hungry, what better way to support locals than DonerMen’s Christmas Market Pop Up?  Get a taste of Germany but do the work yourself.  Offering some great German classics such as the Dmen Mulled Wine Kit, the Christkindle Gluhwien Kit (including a liter of German mulled wine and 2 mugs) and the Ein Prosit! Holiday Beer Kits, this pop up has got your alcohol Christmas inventory covered.

It may not be the same this year but that should not prevent anyone from having a very merry Christmas while supporting local businesses.

Enhancing Quality of Life for Locals

In an effort to enhance the quality of life for Chicagoans, Mayor Lightfoot has gotten together with the Chicago Departments of Transportation (CDOT) and of Assets, Information and Services (AIS) and developed a Five-Year Capital Plan.  With a commitment to invest in infrastructure and facilities throughout all of the region’s 77 communities, part of the plan’s goal is to get thousands of locals back to work too.

When talking about infrastructure this refers to bridges, sidewalks streetlights, etc.  The plans are to put in $1.4b in General Obligation bond proceeds.  The Mayor explained:

“Our Five-Year Capital Plan is our latest ambitious campaign to invest in Chicago’s residents and businesses,  and lays the groundwork for our future as a premier global destination and the best city in the world to call home. By leading with equity, we are ensuring that this success is not only driven by our historically disinvested communities, but brings our whole city closer together by literally building bridges across neighborhoods and unlocking our full potential for decades to come.”

Gia Biagi, CDOT Commissioner added:

“This Five-Year Capital Plan provides CDOT with the resources to make vital infrastructure investments across the entire city of Chicago, including those prioritized in the Mayor’s Invest South/West Initiative. Through this plan, we will work with our partners to invest in our neighborhoods in a way that emphasizes equity, safety and mobility and lowers the economic and environmental burden of transportation for all of our residents.”