CHICAGO – Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS), the Chicago Park District, and the Chicago DNC 2024 came together today with volunteers from dozens of community organizations to clean and beautify Chicago’s neighborhoods for the City’s Annual Clean & Green event. Known each year as Chicago’s “spring cleaning,” volunteers participated citywide in efforts to remove litter and debris from streets, sidewalks, parks, vacant lots and other public properties.  

“Clean neighborhoods contribute to the quality of life for residents in a myriad of ways, including public health, safety, and overall peace of mind,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I was thrilled to see all the volunteers who came out to clean today, and the pride they have in the communities in which they live. Together, we can help keep our communities safe and connected.”  

The annual Clean & Green event is a decades-long tradition for Chicagoans. Alderpersons and community groups organize volunteers and DSS provides the brooms, rakes, shovels, and bags for the clean-up projects.  

“Keeping the streets, alleys, parkways and vacant lots clear from garbage and litter is a year-round mission for the workers at Streets and Sanitation,” said Department of Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard. “We are grateful for the Clean & Green volunteers who help us each Spring, and we are on hand to support the event in any way we can.” 

“In celebration of Earth Day, we are excited to host one hundred events in parks across the city including Clean & Green events,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. “Environmental sustainability is one of the District’s pillars and drives the work we do to preserve our parks and support the health and well-being of Chicago families, including hosting an urban forest with more than 250,000 trees, transforming industrial sites into vibrant parkland, cultivating nearly 9000 acres of parkland, including 2000 acres of protected natural area that serves a habitat for native plantings and animal species.” 

“As we prepare to welcome more than 50,000 visitors to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, our team is grateful to have the opportunity to join together with volunteers from across the city to clean our neighborhoods,” said Christy George, Executive Director of the Chicago 2024 Host Committee. “The annual Clean & Green event is a great way to beautify our communities each year, and we look forward to showing off all Chicago has to offer to Convention attendees in August.” 

Residents and local community organizations can also organize a clean-up event at any time of the year. To get involved, call 3-1-1 and ask for Clean & Green.  

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