Schools, government offices, libraries and the postal service are closed Monday.
Downtown Chicago, the 73rd annual Christopher Columbus Day parade stepped off at noon. It celebrated Chicago's Italian American heritage.
This year, Sicily got the spotlight as the region of honor.
ABC7 Chicago had live coverage of the Columbus Day parade, which passed right in front of the ABC7 studio on State Street and included performers and floats dedicated to Italian American culture in the area.
"It's comradery, meeting people you've never know. And it's a lot of fun," Nancy Rogers said.
Greg Dutra, Ryan Chiaverini and Tanja Babich hosted ABC7's coverage.
"You'll notice all our banners. It's our members and their heritage, their grandparents to how they came to this country and made a way of life," said Jay Roti, with the Will County Italian American Association.
"It just brings us back to our children and our roots, since we are not longer in the city, just brings us back together," Antonella Lapore said.
Before the parade was a Mass at Old St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
"It represents the strife, the challenges that faced our people, the Italian people that came to this great country to make a name for themselves," said Ron Onesti, with the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans.
Some reject Columbus Day due to the explorer's ties to the mistreatment of indigenous people.
Instead, they choose to honor those who were on this land first.
In Evanston, what had been the Mitchell Museum begins a new chapter as Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum.
Gichigamiin means Great Lakes in Objibwe.
"Today is a day to honor the strength and resilience of the indigenous people of the United States and North America and to acknowledge we're still here, not an invisible culture of the past," said Kim Vigue, executive director for Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum.
"I think it's a good foundation to teach youth to respect all cultures, not only their own but others," Calvin Thomas said.
"We believe it's important that Toussaint knows there have been people living on this land a long time," Charlotte Rivard-Hoster said.
Matthew Messner brought his daughter. He is an Oneida descendant.
"It's a moment to reflect on our heritage and to think about how we got to where we are today," Messner said.
For some, the big celebration Monday evening will be a community event at Evanston Township High School.
RELATED: Italian Americans, Native Americans in Chicago open dialogue over Columbus Day controversies
The Field Museum hosted its annual Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration and Fair.
Performers educated guests on indigenous culture and traditions.
The Chicago Children's Museum by Navy Pier has an event happening, as well.
A story lounge is open in the museum's great hall, with books that celebrate indigenous history and culture.
Attendees can also take home wildflower seeds to plant in their neighborhood.
Watch Chicago's Columbus Day parade
Chicago Columbus Day parade part 1
Chicago Columbus Day parade part 2
Chicago Columbus Day parade part 3
Chicago Columbus Day parade part 4
Chicago celebrates Columbus Day with a parade Monday.
West suburban restaurant celebrates Italian Heritage Month
West suburban restaurant celebrates Italian Heritage Month
October is Italian Heritage Month.
Melrose Park's Taverna on Division owners Jen and Greg Vayda joined ABC7 Chicago Monday, with their chef, Mario Galvez, to make a classic pasta carbonara.
Visit www.tavernaondivision.com for more information.