Chicagoans share uplifting messages in windows, on sidewalks during pandemic

“Blow kisses from a distance” written in sidewalk chalk outside a home on South Loomis Street near West Harrison Street in the Little Italy neighborhood during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020.

On Saturday, Illinois will enter its fourth week of sheltering in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic. For many, those first weeks have felt like months as we’ve watched spring arrive outside our windows.

Across the city, Chicagoans have been decorating the glass that separates us from the sunny outside with hopeful messages like “hang in there,” and “we’re all in this together.”

“We are in this together” written in the windows of Aloft Chicago Mag Mile, 243 E. Ontario St.

Hey Chicago: We’re in this together.

Similar affirmations, like “have hope,” have spilled out onto neighborhood sidewalks in chalk to greet passerby on their socially-distanced strolls. One spotted outside a home in Little Village reminds neighbors that they “can still smile from 6 ft away.”

“You can still smile from 6 feet away” written in sidewalk chalk outside a home on South Loomis Street near West Harrison Street in the Little Italy.

Out in front of hospitals, “thank you” signs and others with messages like “heroes work here” adorn lawns, fences and entryways. Similar signs have been placed in the driveways of medical staff by neighbors or friends of those on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19.

Signs saying “Heroes Work Here” are displayed around AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center Chicago in Norwood Park, during the coronavirus pandemic, Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

Outside of schools, “we miss you” has replaced announcements about prom or graduation.

The sign outside of Haines Elementary School in Chinatown says “we miss you” during the coronavirus pandemic, Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

At Wrigley Field, the iconic marquee parodies the song “Go Cubs Go,” instead encouraging fans to stay home: “Hey Chicago, what do you say?/Let’s stay safe at home today.”

The marquee at Wrigley Field encourages Chicagoans to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020.

Another marquee, the Pickwick Theatre’s, displayed a simple, but encouraging message: “We got this.”

The Pickwick Theatre marquee has some inspirational messages displayed during the coronavirus pandemic.

The uplifting words can be seen all over the city. Here are some of the others our photographers captured:

A couple of people with improvised face masks walk by signs of encouragement outside a home in the 2600 block of West Wilson Ave,. in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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“Have Hope” is written in rain-faded chalk on the porch of a home in the 10000 block of Drury Lane in Westchester, Monday, April 6, 2020. | Brian Ernst/Sun-Times

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A cut out of Mayor Lori Lightfoot with a sign next to her that reads “BEHAVE.” sits in the front window of the Twisted Hippo in the 2900 block of West Montrose in the Irving Park neighborhood, Tuesday, April 7, 2020. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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The sign outside of Norwood Auto Service in Norwood Park reads “honk if you love our healthcare workers,” Tuesday, April 7, 2020. | Brian Rich/Sun-Times

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Hanging on the fence of a home a message of thanks to the essential workers working on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, in the 1300 block of West Bryn Mawr Avenue in the Edgewater neighborhood, Monday, April 6, 2020. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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“It’s the world healing” written in sidewalk chalk on the front porch of a home on North Ridge Boulevard near West Howard Street in the Rogers Park neighborhood during the coronavirus pandemic, Tuesday morning, April 7, 2020 | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A sign that reads “you are loved” hangs in the window of a home in the East Village neighborhood, Monday, April 6, 2020. | Annie Costabile/Sun-Times

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A woman walks her dog past a sign thanking helpers hanging on a home in the 3000 block of West Wilson Avenue in the Irving Park neighborhood, Tuesday, April 7, 2020. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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People wearing face masks walk by signs of encouragement outside a home in the 2600 block of West Wilson Avenue in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, Tuesday, April 7, 2020. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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The company Clayco hangs a sign on East Washington Street near North State Street in the Loop, thanking “heathcare heroes” during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday morning, April 6, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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“No Corona!” written in chalk on the sidewalk outside a home in the 400 block of Addison Road in Riverside, Monday, April 6, 2020. | Brian Ernst/Sun-Times

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“We are in this together” written in the windows of Aloft Chicago Mag Mile, 243 E. Ontario St., during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A sign displayed outside a home on the 5000 block of North Forest Glen Avenue on the Northwest Side, Tuesday, April 7, 2020. | Brian Rich/Sun-Times

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Homes in the Wicker Park neighborhood display messages of hope and positivity during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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“Keep calm and wash your hands” written on the marquee at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., in the Loop during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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Giant yellow balloons with smiling faces hang on the railing outside of a home near the corner of West Erie Street and North Noble Street, April 6, 2020. | Annie Costabile/Sun-Times

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Homes in the Wicker Park neighborhood display messages of hope and positivity during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A woman walks by sidewalk art that reads “You are my sunshine!!!” at Welles Park, in the 2300 block of West Sunnyside Avenue in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Thank you messages for doctors, nurses, teachers, grocers and more written in sidewalk chalk outside a home on South Loomis Street near West Harrison Street in the Little Italy neighborhood during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A sign that reads “stay safe” along with Easter decorations hangs in the window of a home near the corner of North Ashland Avenue and West Julian Street on Monday, April 6, 2020. | Annie Costabile/Sun-Times

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Thank you messages for Northwestern Memorial Hospital staff and first responders in the windows of Aloft Chicago Mag Mile, 243 E. Ontario St., during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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“Have Hope” is written in rain-faded chalk on the sidewalk outside a home in the 10000 block of Drury Lane in Westchester, Monday, April 6, 2020. | Brian Ernst/Sun-Times

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A positive message on the marquee at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Upper Wacker Dr., during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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“Have a Nice Day” under a winking smiley face written in chalk on the driveway outside a home in the 1300 block of Newcastle Avenue in Westchester, Monday, April 6, 2020. | Brian Ernst/Sun-Times

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Positive messages in the windows of an apartment building near North Damen Avenue and West Evergreen Avenue in Wicker Park during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday afternoon, April 6, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A paraphrased version of Kitty O’Meara’s “And The People Stayed Home” poem is written in chalk on the driveway of a home in the 400 block of Addison Road in Riverside, Monday, April 6, 2020.

A paraphrased version of Kitty O’Meara’s “And The People Stayed Home” poem is written in chalk on the driveway of a home in Riverside. | Brian Ernst/Sun-Times

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A “Heroes Work Here” sign outside the tent and triage area for coronavirus testing at Mount Sinai Hospital, 1500 S. Fairfield Ave., Thursday afternoon, April 2, 2020.

A “Heroes Work Here” sign outside the tent and triage area for coronavirus testing at Mount Sinai Hospital, 1500 S. Fairfield Ave. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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“A Hero Lives Here” sign posted outside the Chicago Fire Department District 1 Station, 55 W. Illinois St., during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday morning, April 6, 2020.

“A Hero Lives Here” sign posted outside the Chicago Fire Department District 1 Station, 55 W. Illinois St. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A sign of “hope” in Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue near East Illinois Street during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday morning, April 6, 2020.

A sign of “hope” in Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue near East Illinois Street during the coronavirus pandemic. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

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A drawn message in the window of a home reads “Hang in there Edgewater!! Thanks to all the Healthcare Workers” in the 1200 block of West Glenlake, in the Edgewater neighborhood. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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