CHICAGO - Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined more than 7,800 residents, local Aldermen, faith-based groups and community organizations in cleaning up neighborhoods across the City, as part of Chicago’s annual Clean and Green Day of Service. This year’s sign up is the highest in the history of the event with more than double the volunteers participating in the spring cleanup effort compared to last year. 

“Getting involved in your local community is the key to maintaining strong, healthy neighborhoods,” Mayor Emanuel said. “I commend all the volunteers across the City who came out today to work with their neighbors to help keep Chicago clean.”

The Mayor joined Streets and Sanitation Commissioner John Tully at New Life Covenant Church on the City’s south side where more than 200 volunteers cleaned debris from streets surrounding the church grounds.

“Clean and Green is a testament to the strength of Chicago’s communities,” said Commissioner John Tully, Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS). “For three decades residents and volunteers have taken pride in joining together to make a difference in their neighborhoods. We are excited to support these efforts and continue to see this event grow with record breaking participation this year.”

More than 270 volunteer groups across the City took on a range of clean up and beautification projects, collecting litter from parkways, cleaning vacant lots and planting flowers. The City of Chicago provided the groups with brooms, rakes, shovels and bags to help facilitate clean ups.

Approximately 50 volunteers from DSS and other City agencies participated in their own beautification efforts at the Garfield Community Service Center at 10 S. Kedzie and the King Community Service Center at 4314 S. Cottage Grove. The group planted flowers and spread mulch to update the landscape. Chicago Gateway Green also partnered with City volunteers for the Garfield Center project, providing volunteers, plants and landscape designs. 

Today’s events mark the 30th annual Clean and Green Day of Service which is scheduled in observance of Earth day each year. 

Throughout the year, DSS provides vital services like garbage collection, street sweeping, cleaning vacant lots and weed removal to keep the City clean and safe for all Chicagoans.

Earlier this month, Mayor Emanuel unveiled the Sweeper Tracker online tool, allowing residents to track street sweeping services in real time.

To learn more about the annual Clean and Green, visit www.cityofchicago.org/dss.

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