West Side Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) said she’s planning to shut down a portion of Chicago Avenue for the first time on Saturday for her first-annual 37th Ward Magnificent Mothers Extravaganza.
The event, which will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 4924 West Chicago Ave., will feature everything from free COVID-19 tests and vaccinations to a Sunday hat competition.
“We’re coming out of a pandemic and we need some love in the community,” Ald. Mitts said on Friday. “We need people to feel we can help each other and support one another and share information with each other.”
Mitts said she and her staff wanted to put on an event that will “represent love” and that will allow residents to come together in a safe, socially distanced way.
“My mother is in heaven and I have to love on all the other mothers and show that love for them because that’s what my mother was,” Mitts said. “She was love and I’m a product of my mother.”
Mitts said Gov. J.B. Pritzer and Mayor Lori Lightfoot are expected to attend the event, which is being sponsored in partnership with a variety of West Side organizations and businesses.
She said Walmart and Walgreens have agreed to facilitate the vaccination process on Saturday.
“It’s obvious we’re living in unprecedented times,” Mitts said. “The past year has forced us to adapt to new ways of thinking about how we serve our community stakeholders, our leaders, families and friends.”
