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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

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

Chicago Bears 2025 Playoffs

Sponsor: The Chicago Bears
Dates: January 10-12
Colors: Blue and Orange
Phrase: BEAR DOWN
Contact: Elaine Delos Reyes at elaine.delosreyes@bears.nfl.net

Martin Luther King Day & Blue Lights for Peace

Dates: January 15-19
Colors: Blue

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

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

Wear Red Day

Sponsor: American Heart Association
Dates: February 4-8
Colors: Red
Phrase: GO RED
Contact: Jorie Goins at Jorie.Goins@heart.org

Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Sponsor: Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
Dates: March 6-12
Colors: Teal
Phrase: #PGAM2026
Contact: Jim Wilkerson at jim.wilkerson@illinois.gov

Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17)

Dates: March 13-18
Colors: Green

NMO Awareness Month

Sponsor: The Sumaira Foundation
Dates: March 22-28
Colors: Pink
Contact: Sumaira Ahmed at sumaira.ahmed@sumairafoundation.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.

Save Your Tooth Month

Sponsor: American Association of Endodontists
Dates: May 11-17
Colors: Purple
Contact: Elisabeth Lisican at elisican@aae.org

Memorial Day (May 25)

Dates: May 22-25
Colors: Red

Pride Month

Dates: June 1-30
Phrase: PRIDE
Colors: Rainbow

Cure FSHD

Sponsor: FSHD Society
Dates: June 14-17
Colors: Orange
Phrase: CURE FSHD
Contact: Jess Wright at Jess.Wright@fshdsociety.org

Juneteenth

Dates: June 18-21
Colors: Red

Independence Day (July 4th)

Dates: July 4-6
Colors: Red, White, and Blue

Celebration of Lithuanian Culture and Community in Chicagoland

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

Labor Day (September 7)

Dates: September 4-7
Colors: Red, White, and Blue

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Dates: September 15-October 15
Colors: Orange

Halloween

Dates: October 30 - November 1
Colors: Orange

Holiday Season and New Year

Dates: December 14 - January 3
Colors: Blue
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