Joan Cusack joins Daley for Chicago tree lighting

Joan Cusack will light Chicago's Christmas tree this year along with Mayor Richard Daley.

The mayor's office says the Academy Award-nominated actress and Chicago resident will join Daley for his final tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday in downtown's Daley Plaza. Daley announced earlier this year that he would not seek another term as mayor. It will be the city's 97th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

The ceremony planned for the day before Thanksgiving will include holiday music with the After School Matters Opera, cast members from Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" and Santa Claus. This year's tree was donated by the John Colomer Family of McHenry. They will also attend the tree lighting.