Illuminate Chicago Lighting Program
Illuminate Chicago Information
Chicago has the world-wide reputation as the "Windy City" and the home of the first skyscraper. But all Chicago residents know and can easily envision the true gem of our city – the Chicago skyline and our beautiful buildings that light up the night.
BOMA/Chicago Building Members include all of the city’s iconic office buildings that comprise our skyline. This is why many organizations reach out to us in regards to lighting up the skyline for their various civic and philanthropic causes.
In an effort to assist our members with the multitude of light requests they receive on a monthly basis, BOMA/Chicago created the Illuminate Chicago Lighting Program. This program allows BOMA/Chicago to collect and review all light requests and subsequently provide our members with light recommendations. It is important to note that all of our Building Members are independently owned and managed and that BOMA/Chicago does not mandate that Building Members light up for the initiatives we approve.
Buildings are reminded to abide by our Lights Out Chicago program to avoid bird collisions by extinguishing decorative lighting on rooftops and upper floors by 11 p.m. each night during Spring and Fall migration seasons.
Submit an Illuminate Chicago Application
BOMA/Chicago’s building lighting program, Illuminate Chicago, was created nearly a decade ago to coordinate building lighting opportunities to support civic and charitable causes. We invite you to review the Illuminate Chicago requirements. If you meet all of these requirements, you can apply to have your request approved. The application can be accessed here. Please note that there is a $100 non-refundable administrative fee for organizations submitting light requests.
If you have any questions about this application, please contact Rob Johnson, Director of Civic Engagement, at rjohnson@bomachicago.org or 312-870-9600.
Upcoming Requests
World Kidney Day
Sponsor: National Kidney Foundation of Illinois
Dates: March 6, 2025 - March 13, 2025
Colors: Orange
Phrase: Kidney Month
Contact: Sara Jane Castro at SJCastro@nkfi.org
Website: www.nkfi.org
MS Awareness Day
Sponsor: National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Dates: March 9, 2025 - March 15, 2025
Colors: Orange
Phrase: END MS
Contact: Rachel Gardner at Rachel.Gardner@nmss.org
Website: www.nationalmssociety.org
St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
Dates: March 14, 2025 - March 17, 2025
Colors: Green
Contact: Rob Johnson at rjohnson@bomachicago.org
Problem Gambling Awareness Month
Sponsor: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
Dates: March 20, 2025 - March 25, 2025
Colors: Teal
Contact: James Wilkerson at Jim.Wilkerson@illinois.gov
Website: IDHS Gambling Help Page
World Periodic Paralysis Day
Sponsor: Periodic Paralysis Association
Dates: March 21, 2025 - March 23, 2025
Colors: Turquoise
Contact: Cienna Ditri at Cienna@periodicparalysis.org
Website: www.periodicparalysis.org
NMOSD & MOGAD Awareness
Sponsor: Sumaira Foundation
Dates: April 7, 2025 - April 13, 2025
Colors: Pink
Contact: Sumaira Ahmed at Sumaira.Ahmed@sumairafoundation.org
Website: www.sumairafoundation.org
National Infertility Awareness Week
Sponsor: RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Dates: April 20, 2025 - April 26, 2025
Colors: Orange
Phrase: #NIAW
Contact: Ryan Ferrante at Ryan@RyanFerranteLaw.com
Website: www.resolve.org
Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters (May 4)
Sponsor: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Dates: May 2, 2025 - May 5, 2025
Colors: Red
Contact: Donna Clark at DClark@firehero.org
Website: www.firehero.org
Teal Lights Campaign
Sponsor: National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Dates: May 7, 2025 - May 11, 2025
Colors: Teal
Phrase: NOCC or #teallights
Contact: Anita Owens at IL.TealLights@ovarian.org
Website: www.ovarian.org
Light Up for Rare
Sponsor: American Porphyria Foundation
Dates: May 15, 2025 - May 17, 2025
Colors: Purple
Contact: Nicole Castellano at Nicole@porphyriafoundation.org
Website: www.porphyriafoundation.org
Memorial Day (May 26)
Dates: May 23, 2025 - May 26, 2025
Colors: Red
Contact: Rob Johnson at rjohnson@bomachicago.org
Pride Month
Dates: Month of June 2025
Colors: Rainbow
Phrase: PRIDE
Contact: Rob Johnson at rjohnson@bomachicago.org
Juneteenth (June 19th)
Dates: June 19, 2025 - June 22, 2025
Colors: Red
Contact: Rob Johnson at rjohnson@bomachicago.org
World FSHD Day (June 20th)
Sponsor: FSHD Society
Dates: June 20, 2025 - June 23, 2025
Colors: Orange
Phrase: Cure FSHD
Contact: Kim Shanley at Kim.Shanley@fshdsociety.org
Website: www.fshdsociety.org
Independence Day (July 4th)
Dates: July 3, 2025 - July 6, 2025
Colors: Red, White, and Blue
Contact: Rob Johnson at rjohnson@bomachicago.org
Labor Day (September 1)
Dates: August 29, 2025 - September 1, 2025
Colors: Red, White, and Blue
Contact: Rob Johnson at rjohnson@bomachicago.org
Hispanic Heritage Month
Dates: September 15, 2025 - October 15, 2025
Colors: Orange
Contact: Rob Johnson at rjohnson@bomachicago.org
Domestic Violence Awareness
Sponsor: Love and Protect Wisdom
Dates: October 20, 2025 - October 26, 2025
Colors: Purple
Phrase: END DV #LPW
Contact: Loné Williams at Info@LoveProtectWisdom.com
Website: www.loveprotectwisdom.com
Halloween
Dates: October 29, 2025 - November 1, 2025
Colors: Orange
Contact: Rob Johnson at rjohnson@bomachicago.org
National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregiver Month
Sponsor: Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter
Dates: November 2, 2025 - November 8, 2025
Colors: Purple
Phrase: #ENDALZ
Contact: Nancy Rainwater at NRainwater@alz.org
Website: www.alz.org/illinois
Holiday Season and New Year
Dates: December 14, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Colors: Red, Green, and White
Contact: Rob Johnson at rjohnson@bomachicago.org