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CHICAGO – In case you missed it, over the weekend Mayor Brandon Johnson made a special appearance at the Chicago Quarter Zip Link Up, joined neighbors for the La Villita Navideña Toy Drive & Posada, helped out at the South Shore Drill Team's annual Kids Winter Coat Giveaway, promoted community healing at Winter Lawndale Land, celebrated local business in Uptown at the Winter Walk on Wilson while joining community holiday celebrations across Chicago.
On Sunday afternoon the Mayor joined young Chicagoans in Bronzeville for the Chicago Quarter Zip Link-Up, an event which brought together youth who have embraced the "quarter zip lifestyle." The quarter zip movement is a viral Tik Tok trend which encourages young men to trade their tracksuits for quarter zip sweaters in an effort to build a sense of professionalism and personal pride.
Organized by young men representing neighborhoods across Chicago, the event aimed to build community, emphasize holistic personal growth, and empower youth. Mayor Johnson, wearing a quarter zip himself, joined participants at Shawn Michelle's Homemade Ice Cream, one of the small businesses who helped host the event, and walked with the group to Sip & Savor's Rosenwald location.
As they enjoyed matchas—another aspect of the quarter zip trend—Mayor Johnson provided words of encouragement and commended the participants for coming together to foster pride in themselves and their communities.
Photos from the Chicago Quarter Zip Link-Up are available here.
The Chicago Sun-Times has more on the event here.
On Friday evening Mayor Johnson joined, Little Village families, local businesses, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, and Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd) for the La Villita Navideña Toy Drive & Posada.
After meeting with residents and community leaders, Mayor Johnson also had the opportunity to join a toys giveaway to local families. This year the Navideña received $20,000 in support from the City, reflecting the Johnson administration's commitment to uplifting Latino communities.
The success of the annual event, which welcomed several hundred families, further demonstrates resilience and pride of the Little Village community.
"I know that there is so much going on this year and people are experiencing fears and anxieties due to the actions of the federal government, especially here in Little Village," Mayor Johnson said during the event. "That is why events like this are so important, because it shows us that when we come together to celebrate as a community, we are stronger and more resilient."
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Photos from the La Villita Navideña Toy Drive & Posada are available here.
Following the toy drive Mayor Johnson made his way to Austin for the 15th District Holiday Tree Lighting and Parade, celebrating the start of the holiday season with local youth and community partners. The Mayor joined Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) and Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) to mark the occasion.
The parade route kicked off at the 15th District Police Station, highlighting positive collaboration between residents and community safety partners, and continued to the Aspire Center, a West Side community organization and critical City partner which provides educational, recreational, and social services to Austin families.
The event was supported with $20,000 in City funds, reinforcing Mayor Johnson's commitment to supporting neighborhood traditions and uplifting local organizations that work to support families' well-being.
Video of the tree lighting ceremony can be viewed here.
Photos from the event can be accessed here.
Later Friday evening Mayor Johnson joined neighbors in Uptown for the 2025 Winter Walk on Wilson, a community holiday celebration that highlighted Uptown's vibrant small business community and cultural vitality.
The Winter Walk, which is hosted by the Uptown Chamber of Commerce, spans Clark Street to Clarendon Avenue and includes more than 30 participating businesses offering holiday specials, product demonstrations, and family-friendly activities. This year's event also featured the Uptown Holiday Market which welcomed more than 50 local vendors.
A longstanding neighborhood tradition, the walk provides businesses with increased visibility during the holiday shopping season. Mayor Johnson joined in the spirit, visiting small businesses along the corridor and meeting with vendors at the Holiday Market.
Photos from the 2025 Winter Walk on Wilson are available here.
On Saturday afternoon the Mayor helped distribute toys at a giveaway event in Belmont Cragin while meeting with local families at Northwest Center's Santa Holiday Photo Event. Hosted by Northwest Center, a My Chi My Future Anchor Organization, in addition to a photo with Santa the event offered family friendly activities including games and arts and crafts.
More on illi News
The giveaway was made possible by a citywide toy donation drive organized by The Mayor's Office of Community Safety (MOCS) and the Mayor's Office of Community Engagement (MOCE) who have partnered with organizations across the city to ensure that youth across Chicago can share in the joy of the season.
Video from the toy drive is available here.
Photos of Mayor Johnson's participation at the event can be viewed here.
Later in the afternoon, Mayor Johnson joined Ald. Monique Scott (24th) for Winter Lawndale Land, a holiday celebration hosted by Hug A Child NFP, a grassroots organization which supports survivors of violence. During the event, Mayor Johnson participated in a toy giveaway while greeting North Lawndale community members.
Held at Douglas Park, the event aimed to reclaim the park as a safe space for families following a shooting which occurred in the area earlier this year. The holiday celebration built upon the Johnson administration's citywide goal to promote safe communities by hosting activations which provide safe spaces for youth to gather and build community in areas most impacted by violence.
"I really want to just lift up and give a special shout out to all of the families that are here today, this season reminds us of why we have to continue to come together and show up for our young people," Mayor Johnson said during the event. "We have to put our arms around them, but we also have to invest in them, and that's what I'm doing as Mayor."
Video from Winter Lawndale Land can be accessed here.
Photos of the event can be accessed here.
Rounding out Saturday, Mayor Johnson stopped by the South Shore Drill Team's 6th Annual Kids Winter Coat Giveaway at the Gary Comer Youth Center (https://www.garycomeryouthcenter.org/) in Greater Grand Crossing. Mayor Johnson handed out winter coats and Christmas toys during the event which brought together local community organizations to offer information on accessing family support resources. The event was sponsored by Habitat for Humanity Chicago and a coalition of community partners.
Photos of the Kids Winter Coat Giveaway can be accessed here. (https://mayorsphotos.chicago.gov/2025-Images/2025-12-Images/2025-12-06-2025-Kids-Winter-Coat-Giveaway/n-WvFF8k)
On Sunday afternoon, Mayor Johnson held a Lakeside Chat at Christ's Oasis Ministries (https://www.christoasis.org/) in Belmont Cragin. Moderated by Minister Anthony Amponsah, the discussion focused on community questions surrounding immigration protections, entrepreneurship, youth safety, and strengthening civic and cultural ties with the African diaspora in Chicago.
Video of the Lakeside Chat can be viewed here (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qsvpr9cpu5sd0z0qzvzdj/African-Faith-Lakeside-Chat-12.7.25.mp4?rlkey=dew45hby8dpl18m5h0oqiewm9&e=1&st=a7y0026d&dl=0). (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qsvpr9cpu5sd0z0qzvzdj/African-Faith-Lakeside-Chat-12.7.25.mp4?rlkey=dew45hby8dpl18m5h0oqiewm9&e=1&st=a7y0026d&dl=0)
Photos of the event can be accessed here. (https://mayorsphotos.chicago.gov/2025-Images/2025-12-Images/2025-12-07-Lakeside-Chat-African-Faith-Christs-Oasis-Ministr/n-LLxXgf)
On Sunday afternoon the Mayor joined young Chicagoans in Bronzeville for the Chicago Quarter Zip Link-Up, an event which brought together youth who have embraced the "quarter zip lifestyle." The quarter zip movement is a viral Tik Tok trend which encourages young men to trade their tracksuits for quarter zip sweaters in an effort to build a sense of professionalism and personal pride.
Organized by young men representing neighborhoods across Chicago, the event aimed to build community, emphasize holistic personal growth, and empower youth. Mayor Johnson, wearing a quarter zip himself, joined participants at Shawn Michelle's Homemade Ice Cream, one of the small businesses who helped host the event, and walked with the group to Sip & Savor's Rosenwald location.
As they enjoyed matchas—another aspect of the quarter zip trend—Mayor Johnson provided words of encouragement and commended the participants for coming together to foster pride in themselves and their communities.
Photos from the Chicago Quarter Zip Link-Up are available here.
The Chicago Sun-Times has more on the event here.
On Friday evening Mayor Johnson joined, Little Village families, local businesses, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, and Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd) for the La Villita Navideña Toy Drive & Posada.
After meeting with residents and community leaders, Mayor Johnson also had the opportunity to join a toys giveaway to local families. This year the Navideña received $20,000 in support from the City, reflecting the Johnson administration's commitment to uplifting Latino communities.
The success of the annual event, which welcomed several hundred families, further demonstrates resilience and pride of the Little Village community.
"I know that there is so much going on this year and people are experiencing fears and anxieties due to the actions of the federal government, especially here in Little Village," Mayor Johnson said during the event. "That is why events like this are so important, because it shows us that when we come together to celebrate as a community, we are stronger and more resilient."
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Photos from the La Villita Navideña Toy Drive & Posada are available here.
Following the toy drive Mayor Johnson made his way to Austin for the 15th District Holiday Tree Lighting and Parade, celebrating the start of the holiday season with local youth and community partners. The Mayor joined Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) and Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) to mark the occasion.
The parade route kicked off at the 15th District Police Station, highlighting positive collaboration between residents and community safety partners, and continued to the Aspire Center, a West Side community organization and critical City partner which provides educational, recreational, and social services to Austin families.
The event was supported with $20,000 in City funds, reinforcing Mayor Johnson's commitment to supporting neighborhood traditions and uplifting local organizations that work to support families' well-being.
Video of the tree lighting ceremony can be viewed here.
Photos from the event can be accessed here.
Later Friday evening Mayor Johnson joined neighbors in Uptown for the 2025 Winter Walk on Wilson, a community holiday celebration that highlighted Uptown's vibrant small business community and cultural vitality.
The Winter Walk, which is hosted by the Uptown Chamber of Commerce, spans Clark Street to Clarendon Avenue and includes more than 30 participating businesses offering holiday specials, product demonstrations, and family-friendly activities. This year's event also featured the Uptown Holiday Market which welcomed more than 50 local vendors.
A longstanding neighborhood tradition, the walk provides businesses with increased visibility during the holiday shopping season. Mayor Johnson joined in the spirit, visiting small businesses along the corridor and meeting with vendors at the Holiday Market.
Photos from the 2025 Winter Walk on Wilson are available here.
On Saturday afternoon the Mayor helped distribute toys at a giveaway event in Belmont Cragin while meeting with local families at Northwest Center's Santa Holiday Photo Event. Hosted by Northwest Center, a My Chi My Future Anchor Organization, in addition to a photo with Santa the event offered family friendly activities including games and arts and crafts.
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The giveaway was made possible by a citywide toy donation drive organized by The Mayor's Office of Community Safety (MOCS) and the Mayor's Office of Community Engagement (MOCE) who have partnered with organizations across the city to ensure that youth across Chicago can share in the joy of the season.
Video from the toy drive is available here.
Photos of Mayor Johnson's participation at the event can be viewed here.
Later in the afternoon, Mayor Johnson joined Ald. Monique Scott (24th) for Winter Lawndale Land, a holiday celebration hosted by Hug A Child NFP, a grassroots organization which supports survivors of violence. During the event, Mayor Johnson participated in a toy giveaway while greeting North Lawndale community members.
Held at Douglas Park, the event aimed to reclaim the park as a safe space for families following a shooting which occurred in the area earlier this year. The holiday celebration built upon the Johnson administration's citywide goal to promote safe communities by hosting activations which provide safe spaces for youth to gather and build community in areas most impacted by violence.
"I really want to just lift up and give a special shout out to all of the families that are here today, this season reminds us of why we have to continue to come together and show up for our young people," Mayor Johnson said during the event. "We have to put our arms around them, but we also have to invest in them, and that's what I'm doing as Mayor."
Video from Winter Lawndale Land can be accessed here.
Photos of the event can be accessed here.
Rounding out Saturday, Mayor Johnson stopped by the South Shore Drill Team's 6th Annual Kids Winter Coat Giveaway at the Gary Comer Youth Center (https://www.garycomeryouthcenter.org/) in Greater Grand Crossing. Mayor Johnson handed out winter coats and Christmas toys during the event which brought together local community organizations to offer information on accessing family support resources. The event was sponsored by Habitat for Humanity Chicago and a coalition of community partners.
Photos of the Kids Winter Coat Giveaway can be accessed here. (https://mayorsphotos.chicago.gov/2025-Images/2025-12-Images/2025-12-06-2025-Kids-Winter-Coat-Giveaway/n-WvFF8k)
On Sunday afternoon, Mayor Johnson held a Lakeside Chat at Christ's Oasis Ministries (https://www.christoasis.org/) in Belmont Cragin. Moderated by Minister Anthony Amponsah, the discussion focused on community questions surrounding immigration protections, entrepreneurship, youth safety, and strengthening civic and cultural ties with the African diaspora in Chicago.
Video of the Lakeside Chat can be viewed here (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qsvpr9cpu5sd0z0qzvzdj/African-Faith-Lakeside-Chat-12.7.25.mp4?rlkey=dew45hby8dpl18m5h0oqiewm9&e=1&st=a7y0026d&dl=0). (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qsvpr9cpu5sd0z0qzvzdj/African-Faith-Lakeside-Chat-12.7.25.mp4?rlkey=dew45hby8dpl18m5h0oqiewm9&e=1&st=a7y0026d&dl=0)
Photos of the event can be accessed here. (https://mayorsphotos.chicago.gov/2025-Images/2025-12-Images/2025-12-07-Lakeside-Chat-African-Faith-Christs-Oasis-Ministr/n-LLxXgf)
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