The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is painting the Windy City green.
In honor of Money Smart week, an annual event meant to promote financial literacy, the Chicago Fed has persuaded those who run a number of local landmarks to bathe them in green light.
The Sears Tower, Marshall Field's on State Street, LaSalle Bank's downtown headquarters, and two shopping meccas on Michigan Avenue - Water Tower Place and 900 North Michigan Ave. - will be green from May 23 through May 28.
This year's schedule includes over 200 workshops and other activities in English and Spanish at schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
Topics will include saving, avoiding identity theft, and managing credit.
Debbie Baratz, a media relations specialist with the Chicago Fed, said the green lighting is meant to stoke curiosity and "get people to think about their personal finances."
The hope is that they will ask about the lighting and hear about it in the local media, she said.
This is the fourth Money Smart week, and the Chicago Fed was looking for new ways to promote it, Ms. Baratz said. Staff members came up with the idea of lighting the buildings after hearing of other nonprofits doing it.
Some building managements balked, she said, but if "everyone sees how cool it is," others will want to participate, "so hopefully next year we'll have even more."
