Downtown buildings to light up blue and red to honor essential workers

A group of 19 downtown buildings — including the Willis Tower — are set to light up their windows in red and blue over the next few days to honor an array of first responders and other essential workers who are carrying on despite the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

Beginning Saturday and lasting through May 1, a series of buildings will be lit up blue to honor essential workers. Lights go red on a series of buildings from May 2 through May 5 to honor first responders.

The effort is being organized by the Building Owners and Management Association of Chicago as part of the Illuminate Chicago program, which allows for the coordination of buildings lighting up for various civic and philanthropic causes.

“We are proud to recognize and express our gratitude to the critical workers across our city,” Michael Cornicelli, executive vice president of BOMA/Chicago, said in a news release. “Everyone from health care workers and first responders who are on the front lines to our building staffs who keep the lights on and ensure our business tenants can operate successfully day after day.”

Here’s a list of participating buildings that will light up in blue:

• Willis Tower

• 200 West Madison St. (Transwestern)

• Merchandise Mart (Merchandise Mart Properties)

• 311 S. Wacker Dr. (Zeller Realty Group)

• 150 N. Michigan Ave. (CBRE)

• Chicago Board of Trade Building (Glenstar)

• 900 North Michigan (JMB Realty Corp)

• The Franklin (Tishman Speyer)

• Inland Steel Building (MB Real Estate)

• 875 N Michigan Ave. (The Hearn Company)

• 300 E Randolph St. (CBRE)

Here’s a list of participating buildings that will light up in red:

• 181 West Madison St. (MB Real Estate)

• Chase Tower (CBRE)

• 525 West Monroe St. (Tishman Speyer)

• One Two Pru (Sterling Bay)

• 1 North Dearborn St. (MB Real Estate)

• 120 North LaSalle St. (Lincoln Property Company)

• 555 W Monroe St. (CBRE)

• 540 W. Madison St. (JLL)