Twas' the Week(s) Before Christmas...

The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony returned to City Hall November 29^th, with glistening lights, yummy hot chocolate and festive carols. Mayor Gonzalez opened the chilly evening with a warm welcoming address marking the beginning of the holiday season in Chicago Heights. The District 170 Choir began the evening with a selection of festive tunes, followed by the St. Agnes Children's Choir, who continued the holiday soundtrack with more rhythmic melodies.
Following the children's choirs, amidst blaring sirens and flashing lights, CHFD elves delivered Santa Claus to the front of City Hall by firetruck! Santa joined Mayor Gonzalez and his helper, Charlie Lungaro, from the St. Agnes choir as they flipped the switch, illuminating City Hall with beautiful lights. The Bloom District 206 Choir sang in beautiful harmony with the lights twinkling behind them.

Following the tree lighting, families were treated to refreshments inside City Hall. Along with hot chocolate and treats, Santa took pictures with children and spent some time chatting with them about their wish lists!

“The Tree Lighting Ceremony always puts you in the holiday spirit, and it's a wonderful way to start the holiday season,” said Mayor David A. Gonzalez.

For more pictures of the merriment and melodies, click here.

Bloom District 206 Choir

The Gift of Giving

Alicia's House and CHPD Give Back

Last Saturday, Alicia's House Food Pantry hosted their annual gift and food basket event. Mayor Gonzalez and the Chicago Heights Police Department volunteers made Christmas wishes come true for some local families. Mayor Gonzalez and his wife Carmen are longtime supporters of Alicia's House outreach events, and CHPD partners with Alicia's House to spread holiday cheer. For the past 8 years, Chicago Heights police officers have volunteered and delivered holiday baskets to families throughout the city.
This year, 22 officers delivered turkeys and all the trimmings for a holiday meal to local families.
Alicia's House was founded in 2001 by Juan and Stella Hernandez, in honor of their granddaughter who died in a home accident. The pantry serves area residents in a number of municipalities.

Donations to Alicia's House can be made here: http://www.aliciashouse.org

Mayor Gonzalez, Stella and Juan Hernandez, and a host of CHPD volunteers

Mayor Gonzalez, Stella and Juan Hernandez (center), and a host of CHPD volunteers

Mayor Gonzalez with James and Lesley Ulis greeted residents

Mayor Gonzalez with James and Lesley Ulis greeting residents

Mayor Gonzalez with James and Lesley Ulis and a Chicago Heights resident

Tyler Ulis Foundation Gives Back
Thanksgiving

The Tyler Ulis Foundation sponsored Thanksgiving baskets for Chicago Heights families during an event hosted by Mayor David Gonzalez at Chicago Heights City Hall on Wednesday, November 15^th.
The Mayor was joined by Ald. Wanda Rodgers and Ald. Sylvia Torres in welcoming Tyler's parents, James & Lesley Ulis. The group spent the evening greeting and chatting with families participating in the Thanksgiving event.
Twenty-one families from around the city received Thanksgiving baskets that included all of the essentials for their Thanksgiving table, including a turkey from Jewel-Osco.
The Tyler Ulis Foundation is a charitable foundation formed by former Marian Catholic High School basketball superstar and current Phoenix Suns point guard, Tyler Ulis. TUF strives to educate and encourage the youth through camps and mentoring programs in order to cultivate the next generation of leaders.

To learn more about the Tyler Ulis Foundation, visit tulisfoundation.org.

From left to right: Lieutenant Jason Irwin; Captain Kevin Lueder; Chief Jeffrey Springer with Mayor Gonzalez and Assistant Chief James Fewkes; Lieutenant David Tiberi.

CHFD Promotes Ten

Residents, CHFD personnel and family members attended the December 4th council meeting to witness the swearing in ceremony for promotions in the Chicago Heights Fire Department.

Assistant Fire Chief James Fewkes was the first to be sworn in by Deputy Clerk Rachel Vega. The Assistant Chief's swearing in was followed by the swearing in and promotions of Captain Kevin Lueder, Lieutenant Jason Irwin and Lieutenant David Tiberi.

Engineers Nick Irwin, Alex Morrison, Greg Taylor, Brian Peterson, Dante Zorzi and Eric Ruskey were also sworn in.

"On behalf of myself, the council and our residents, we thank you for your service to our community, and we thank your families and loved ones for their support and dedication for the work that you do," said Mayor Gonzalez.

CHFD Engineers

Thank you to all who participated in this year's
Light Up the Heights Holiday Decorations Contest and
thank you to all of our residents for lighting up Chicago Heights!

Winners Pictured from left to right:
Category: Let There Be Light
407 W. 12^th Street
Ms. Natasha Herod

Category: Traditional
200 Southgate Ave
Mr. John Pina

Category: A Winter’s Tale
278 Plymouth Drive
Ms. Rosa Thomas

Zoo Lights Presented by Comed

News Around Town

Visit our Community Events page for information on upcoming and ongoing events as well as our Holiday Events and Outdoor Activities pages for some holiday fun!

Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum

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In observance of the Christmas holiday,
City Hall will be closed
Friday, December 22nd, Monday, December 25th
In observance of the New Year, City Hall will close early on
Friday, December 29th, and all day on Monday, January 1st, 2018