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Village of Wilmette E-news
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The following email provides timely information on general news and community events from the Village of Wilmette. For more information, please visit the Village of Wilmette website.
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Village Responds and Adapts to COVID-19
There's no question that COVID-19 has transformed how we live and work (at least
temporarily). At the Village, we are responding and have adapted to meet the needs of the community and continue to deliver the highest level of services.
In response to this crisis, we've developed and implemented new and innovative policies and programs to provide much-needed support to our local businesses, and others, including our vulnerable population.
For example, last month, the Village Board unanimously approved an unprecedented economic relief package to support Wilmette's small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the public health crisis. The grant program is providing immediate financial support to restaurants, retail stores and other local merchants through a municipal sales tax rebate program. So far, 56 businesses have submitted applications and the Village has approved $188,000 in rebates. And this week, the Village Board unanimously approved an additional $156,000 to expand the program to include service-based businesses from entertainment to fitness to personal service like dry cleaning, as well as spa and beauty services. Wilmette businesses are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and apply for the program at the
Village's website.
Read the news release.
The Village also launched the Community Caretaker Program to match at-risk residents who need help with volunteers to assist with requests, such as picking up groceries and medicine. So far, we've had 70
volunteers register and 20 residents have submitted requests.
Learn more about the program.
We are also leveraging technology to provide continuity of operations, including virtual board meetings and video conference staff meetings, remote work, building inspections with photos and video, enhanced communication and more.
The bottom line is that our team is here and continuing to work for you! In case you missed our team video from a few weeks ago, check it out here.
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Wilmette First Responders Bring Birthday Wishes in a Memorable Way
The Wilmette Police Department and Wilmette Fire Department have been making birthdays a little more special for children during this time by doing drive-by celebrations. Years from now, these kids will hopefully look back on this stay-at-home experience and appreciate the memory of that special visit from Wilmette first responders.
If you would like to schedule a special birthday drive-by, email Diane Anderson at [email protected]. They can be scheduled Monday through Friday from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. The departments encourage making a $15 donation to the Special Olympics. Donate here.
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Play the Village of Wilmette Bingo Game
The Village has created a Social Distancing Bingo Game to support our local businesses, partners and have some fun! Do the activities in each box - some are clickable and will directly connect you with more information - and get five across, down or diagonal. As you play, post pictures to your social media channels and tag us on Facebook and Twitter using @VofWilmette and use the hashtag #WilmetteStrong. We would love to see your pictures!
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This Weekend, Remember to Shop Local
The Stay at Home order continues to have a devastating impact on our business community - including retail, restaurants and others. Please continue to support our local businesses by ordering takeout or delivery from one of our fabulous Wilmette restaurants, or shop online from one of our outstanding merchants. Connect with these places by visiting the Village's
interactive web map.
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Thank You to Telecommunicators for Answering the Call
We are proud to celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week! We are thankful for the dedicated telecommunicators who answer emergency calls and serve as the vital link between our community and first responders. Thank you for the being the calm voice on the other end of the line.
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Stay #WilmetteStrong and #AllinIllinois - It's Working!
Social distancing measures appear to be helping to "flatten the curve" in Illinois, but this does not mean it's time to loosen up the rules. These precautions are as important as ever to our community's safety. Remember that the Governor's
Stay at Home Order
- which requires residents to stay at home except for essential work, errands or medical appointments - remains in effect until April 30.
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Ask Yourself - Is This Trip Really Essential?
When you're considering going out, ask yourself...
- Do I really need...?
- Can it be delivered?
- Can I plan to go to the store at non-peak hours?
- Can I stock up to reduce future trips?
- Do I have a mask/face covering and hand sanitizer/wipes to bring along?
We understand that this is a difficult mental shift and that we all crave the normalcy of popping into the store for a quick errand. But please do whatever you can to reduce your trips out - our efforts now will help life get back to normal sooner!
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COVID-19 and Pet Safety
The CDC advises that we should treat pets as we would our human family members and not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household. If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.
The CDC states that further studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by the COVID-19 virus. So, to be absolutely safe, please keep dogs on a leash and maintain required social distancing when walking your dog. In other words, do not let them interact with other people or animals. More information on animals and COVID-19 can be found here.
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Need Help Coping with COVID-19? Mental Health Support is Available
Illinois Call4Calm Text Line: If you find yourself overwhelmed by what you're experiencing due to COVID-19 and need emotional support, you can access services through the Illinois Department of Public Health by sending a message to the Illinois Call4Calm Text Line service. Text "TALK" (or "HABLAR" for support in Spanish) to 552020. This is not a crisis line, but a resource for anyone experiencing stress and in need of someone to listen. You should receive a call from a counselor within 24 hours of sending your text.
24/7 Crisis Text Line: If you are experiencing a crisis, including any painful emotion and need support, the Crisis Text Line provides access to free, 24/7 support via text. Simply text "HELLO" to 741741 and connect with trained crisis counselors.
Support for First Responders: The Josselyn Center is providing free services during the COVID-19 crisis for first responders and hospital staff who are experiencing extreme stress. If you are a first responder or are working at a hospital in northern Illinois, call The Josselyn Center at 847-441-5600. You will be referred to a volunteer licensed therapist for three free counseling sessions via phone or online.
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Wilmette Census Update
If you completed the U.S. Census, thank you! As of today, 69.6
% of Wilmette residents
have responded. That's higher than the State's 53.9
% response rate and higher than the national rate, but we need your help to get to 100%!
Wilmette Census Fun Facts (as of the morning of Friday, April 17):
For communities with a population over 25,000, Wilmette ranks 3rd out of 90 in the State of Illinois and 31st out of 1,515 nationally.
Please visit
2020census.gov
and take 10 minutes to complete the census and be counted! Your voice matters! Also, please snap, post, tweet and share your message of how the Census helps US - because there's "US" in the 2020 CENSUS! Use the hashtags #2020Census and #MakeIllinoisCount.
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Village Water Quality Tests Exceed USEPA Standards
The Village is pleased to report that again, for the year 2019, the water plant met or exceeded the USEPA standards, and did not have a violation of a contaminant level or any other water quality standard. Read the Village's Annual Water Quality Report. The Wilmette Water Plant is committed to providing you with the safest and most reliable water supply. Since 1998, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has required the Village's water plant, as a water producing and treatment agency, to conduct water quality tests and to inform residents of the test results.
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Wilmette Village Board to Meet Virtually April 28 at 7 p.m.
The Village Board will meet remotely on Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast live on the Village's YouTube channel and Channel 6. The public may submit comments in advance of the meeting by emailing [email protected] or submitting comments during the meeting through YouTube Live. The meeting video will also be archived on the Village's website.
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Wilmette French Market Opening Delayed
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening of the 2020 Wilmette French Market is delayed until at least May. Please visit the
Village's web page for updates on the market season. In addition, you can follow updates on the
market operator's website.
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Wilmette Public School District 39 Provides Free Webinar
Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m. / Connecting Kids: How to Virtually Connect Kids at a Time When They Can't Be Physically Connected
Tony DeMonte from Wilmette School District will be joined by Dr. Dominguez from Family Service Center to talk about strategies for maintaining social relationships during these unique times. Tips on how to facilitate digital connections and example apps/tools will be discussed.
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Neighborhood Storage Project Construction Update
Construction on the Neighborhood Storage Project continues. Here are highlights from this week:
Phase 1A - Storm Sewer Improvements
- This week, contractors performed concrete removal work on the east side of Lavergne Avenue and the south side of Washington Avenue and poured the concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter and driveway aprons on the east side of Lavergne Avenue. All driveway access on the west side of Lavergne Avenue was opened back up to the residents this week. All concrete work is anticipated to be completed by the end of next week.
Phase 1
Community Playfield Improvements
- Contractors conducted preconstruction preparation activities, including installing perimeter fencing and taking steps to protect the trees in the construction area. Other work included locating utilities, structure layout and pre-excavation planning.
Storm Sewer Improvements
- Contractors staged traffic detour signage along Wilmette Avenue and Wilshire Drive and performed exploration activities of the existing storm sewer. They also took steps to protect trees in the construction area.
- Next week, the 60-inch storm sewer will be delivered and installed at the intersection of Wilmette Avenue and Wilshire Drive.
Traffic Alert - Wilmette Avenue Road Closure
Wilmette Avenue between Locust Road and Hunter Road will be closed to thru traffic starting on Monday, April 20. Local access for residents will be maintained. A detour route will be posted using Glenview Road to direct thru traffic around the work zone. The road closure is necessary to accommodate construction activities on Wilmette Avenue between Wilshire Drive and West Meadow Drive and provide a safe work zone. The closure and detour are anticipated to be in place for several weeks until work on Wilmette Avenue is complete. Delays are expected so please use alternate routes if possible or plan accordingly to allow more travel time. Questions about this work can be directed to the project team at www.wsnsp.com or the resident engineer Jeff Yonke, at 847-417-9715 or
[email protected]
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For more information on the West Side Neighborhood Storage Project, visit
wsnsp.com.
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Take a Self-guided Walking Tour
Looking for a bit of fresh air, exercise, history and fun? Drop by the Wilmette Historical Museum entrance at 609 Ridge Road to pick up free, self-guided walking tours. You can explore the history of Ridge Road, St. Joseph Cemetery and our historic lakefront. Please remember to keep Wilmette safe by observing social distancing guidelines and wearing a face mask. And, just like when you are shopping at the grocery store, we encourage you to bring hand sanitizer to use before and after picking up the brochures.
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