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Illuminate Chicago Lighting Program

Chicago is known worldwide as the birthplace of the skyscraper, with an iconic skyline that shapes our cityscape. 

BOMA/Chicago Building Members operate the most recognizable office buildings that define that skyline. These landmarks are often sought after by organizations looking to light up the city in support of civic and philanthropic causes. 

To streamline the process for our members and help manage the high volume of lighting requests, BOMA/Chicago launched the Illuminate Chicago Lighting Program. This program centralizes the review of lighting requests and provides coordinated recommendations to our building members. 

Please note that all BOMA/Chicago Building Members are independently owned and managed. Their participation in BOMA/Chicago-approved initiatives is entirely voluntary, reflecting the unique commitments and priorities of each building. 

Submit a Lighting Request

Please review the program’s requirements carefully. If your lighting request meets all criteria, you are welcome to submit an application for consideration. 

A $100 non-refundable administrative fee is required for all submitted light requests. 

REMINDER: Lights Out Chicago

Each spring and fall, about five million birds migrate through Chicago. Buildings are reminded to abide by our Lights Out Chicago program to help save birds and reduce glass collisions. During the spring and fall migration seasons, decorative lighting on rooftops and upper floors must be extinguished by 11 PM each night. Click here for more information. 

Half Staff

Half-staff declarations are issued by the Governor of Illinois or the President of the United States. BOMA/Chicago is not involved in the decision-making or declaration process of when a flag is ordered to be lowered to half-mast. For more information, go to https://halfstaff.org/.

Upcoming Requests

Halloween

Dates: October 29, 2025 - November 1, 2025
Colors: Orange

National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregiver Month

Sponsor: Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter
Dates: November 2-8, 2025
Colors: Purple
Phrase: #ENDALZ
Contact: Nancy Rainwater at NRainwater@alz.org

National Diabetes Awareness Month

Sponsor: BreakthroughT1D
Dates: November 4-11, 2025
Colors: Blue
Phrase: Diabetes
Contact: Nancy Bownman at nbowman@BT1D.org

Light the World in Teal (Alzheimer's Awareness)

Sponsor: Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Dates: November 9, 2025 - November 15, 2025
Colors: Teal
Contact: Sandy Silverstein at SSilverstein@alzfdn.org

Children's Grief Awareness Day/Month

Sponsor: Rainbows for All Children
Dates: November 15-20
Colors: Blue

National Pancreatic Cancer Month/World Pancreatic Cancer Day

Sponsor: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Dates: November 19-21
Colors: Purple
Phrase: #CUREPANCAN
Contact: Jill Saponaro at jillpeet.saponaro@cbexchange.com

Homlessness Awareness Month

Sponsor: Deborah's Place
Dates: November 22-29
Colors: Purple
Phrase: #HAM
Contact: Christy Smith-Hall at CSmithHall@deborahsplace.org

Holiday Season and New Year

Dates: December 14, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Colors: Red, Green, and White

Dry January USA

Sponsor: Dry January USA - Meharry Medical College
Dates: January 7 - 13
Colors: Yellow
Contact: Michael Caldwell at mccaldwell@mmc.edu

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Sponsor: Jewish United Fund
Dates: January 26-28
Colors: Yellow
Contact: Annie Warshaw at AnnieWarshaw@juf.org

100th Anniversary Better Business Bureau of Chicago

Sponsor: Better Business Bureau of Chicago
Dates: April 21-23, 2026
Colors: Blue
Phrase: “BBB 100” or “BBB”
Contact: Jay Elliott at jelliott@chicago.bbb.org.

2026 Celebration of Lithuanian Culture and Community in Chicagoland

Sponsor: The Lithuanian American Community, Inc.
Dates: July 10-12
Colors: Yellow, Green, Red
Contact: Giedre Knieza at Director@sokiusvente.org
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