Using the not-so-catchy slogan, "Protect their health on the 12th," the City of Chicago has designated today Vaccination Awareness Day.

• The city has closed Chicago Public Schools, organized dozens of vaccination-related events and is offering municipal workers two paid hours off today, all in the name of increasing COVID-19 vaccinations.

Why it matters: The effort could lead to a big jump in local vaccinations, which health officials say is key to "protecting our communities," and getting life back to normal.

• Plus the events make it easy for parents to get newly-eligible youngsters protected.

Details: The day's main activity is, um, getting vaccinated at one of many sites. But planners have also organized four other events for today, including:

• Tour of the City Colleges of Chicago for CPS high schoolers.
• Free visit to the Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Science and Industry for all CPS students.
• Special activities for kids at dozens of Chicago Park District locations (most require registration).
• Grab-and-go activity kits at Chicago Public Libraries, plus a curated list of books on germs, viruses and vaccines.

The last Sears department store in Illinois is closing on Sunday.

Why it matters: Once the largest retailer in the United States, Sears was founded in Chicago. The first store opened in the city in 1925 and the store at Woodfield Mall served as the anchor for the largest mall in the state.

• But in 2018, Sears filed for bankruptcy after two decades of financial woes.
• As of this fall, there are only 34 Sears stores left in the U.S.

Backstory: Woodfield Mall opened in 1971 and was named after the chairman of Sears at the time, Robert E. Wood. The Woodfield location was the biggest Sears in the U.S.

What's next: There are no immediate plans to repurpose the multi-story anchor store. So of course, Justin had some quick ideas:

• Vaccination Station: We will need booster shots. And more vaccines. So why not just turn the department store perfume counter into vaccine counters? You'll be protected from COVID-19 and smell good too.
• Haunted House: The frights are less jump-scares and zombies and more about sticker shock terror. They want how much for a pair of jeans?
• Escape Room: You have an hour to get out of the old Sears and the only tools at your disposal are leftover kitchen appliances.
• Bigger Starbucks: It worked downtown.

Flashback: For many of us, Sears was the go-to store of our youth.

• Monica remembers going to Sears for Kenmore appliances and back to school clothing shopping because she was stylish like that.
• Justin remembers the store in Ravenswood. They not only had clothes and appliances, but also sold tires!

📬 What are your favorite memories of shopping at Sears in Illinois? Share your Sears memories with us by replying to this email and we’ll feature the best ones next week!

👩‍⚖️ Closing arguments are expected today in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. (Chicago Tribune)

🏞 Chicago Park District Board President Avis LaVelle quits amid lifeguard scandal. (WBEZ)

🎣 A massive bighead carp was caught in the Humboldt Park lagoon. The invasive species isn't supposed to be there. (Sun-Times)

🍺 Bells sells! The Michigan-based craft beer giant will now be run by New Belgium. (Axios Denver)

🏀 The 8-3 Chicago Bulls head out West for their dreaded "circus trip." First up: Golden State tonight. Starting center Nikola Vučević tested positive for COVID-19 and will be out at least 10 days. (ESPN)

🧸 The Illinois Attorney General's office put out its annual Safe Shopping Guide. The list of unsafe toys includes hot flashlights, a lacerating shepherd boy doll and magnets.

We recently interviewed food journalist Steve Dolinsky about his tasty new "Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide."

• And while we were at it, we asked "The Food Guy" to describe his picks for a Best Day Ever in Chicago.
• Amazingly, it didn't even involve pizza!

Breakfast: "Coffee and pastries at Lost Larson (specifically the almond lingonberry cake) in either Wicker Park or Andersonville."

Morning activity: "Take the train to Logan Square and walk the Sunday Farmer’s Market."

Lunch: "Lula Cafe, of course."

Afternoon activity: "Bike ride along lakeshore path, getting on at Randolph, then going south to Promontory Point, with a stop at 39th Street along the way for the best view of the city. Need to get my appetite going again."

Dinner: "Korean BBQ at Chicago Kalbi."

Evening activity: "Live music at The Green Mill."

If you liked the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit — where the Dutch painter's work is projected dramatically onto room walls — then you will probably love ice skating downtown this year.

• The Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon will project Van Gogh works on the ice this fall and winter in partnership with the "Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Chicago" that has been extended to February 2022.

Details: It doesn't open until Nov. 19, but organizers are asking skaters to make reservations in advance. They opened this week and are already filling up.

• Limited walk-up spots might be available.
• Skating sessions last 2 hours. $18-$22 with rental.