DOWNTOWN — It's an oft-asked question: Why are the lights on the high rises in Chicago blue? Or green? Or [fill in the color]?
As it turns out, they're on a schedule, with each color representing a cause. The ever-changing schemes are organized by the Building Owners and Management Association of Chicago.
The association, a group of 235 buildings, created the "Building Lighting Partner Program," which not only keeps the schedule of colors but also special phrases as seen on some of Chicago's most recognizable towers.
Updated monthly, the schedule that teal lights this week are for awareness of trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic pain condition that affects nerves in the head. Purple lights are for domestic violence awareness. Green lights are for mental health awareness, and blue lights (you might've guessed) are for the playoff-bound Cubs.
Here's the full schedule through the end of the year:
[Courtesy of BOMA]
The association only approves lighting requests for "civic and philanthropic causes," but individual buildings can highlight sports teams, holidays or whatever they want.
Here's a form to submit your cause. And here are more pictures of Chicago's skyline at night, courtesy of street photographer Barry Butler:
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