CHICAGO, IL— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the City of Chicago, in partnership with the incoming Biden-Harris Administration, invite everyone in Chicago to take part in the National COVID-19 Memorial Service to remember the lives lost to COVID-19. On Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. CST, residents and businesses across Chicago are asked to turn off their lights and electronics, step outside their home or workplace, and light a candle in a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives to COVID-19. Following 10 minutes of reflection, everyone will turn the lights back on at 6:10 p.m. CST to symbolize moving from darkness to light.
"The past 12 months have been difficult for all of us, impacting us in ways past crises never have, sometimes with tragic consequences," said Mayor Lightfoot. "Yet, for all we have lost, we must also remember what we have gained — a deeper resilience and understanding of the extraordinary bonds that hold us together as a city and a nation. It is this light that will continue to guide us out of the darkness we have experienced and into the brilliant recovery that will be sure to come once we put this terrible pandemic behind us."
"Out of tragedy, we are making a beautiful moment as we come together as a city and a country," said First Lady Amy Eshleman. "We remember those that have tragically been lost to COVID-19, we reflect on the effect of the pandemic on our lives, and we realize that we are brighter together."
Many local buildings and institutions will join together for this moment to reflect on the pandemic and its impact on our city and country.
City Hallwill turn off lights and then relight with amber lighting.
Wrigley Field- will turn off the marquee and exterior signage and then relight with #brightertogether message
Solider Field- will light up the colonnade amber and displaying candle images.
Navy Pier- will turn off the Ferris wheel and then light up an amber color with #brightertogether message.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Building will create the shape of a candle on the building exterior.
The Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago (BOMA) including theMART, Willis Tower, One Prudential Plaza and dozens of others, will go dark before lighting amber like a candle flame.
Chicago Public Library Branchesthat are open at 6pm will encourage staff to step outside and light candles.
Churches and places of worshipacross the city will ring their bells in observation.
Businesses and residents are encouraged to share their participation by emailing covidmemorial@cityofchicago.org and post on social media using #BrighterTogether .
