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Village of Wilmette E-news
Enews
July 17, 2020
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 .

COVID-19 Updates: New Response Regions, Travel Guidance, Additional Symptoms Announced, Testing

State Announces New COVID-19 Response Plan
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health announced this week that the State will be divided into 11 separate COVID-19 response regions (previously four regions) to take a more targeted approach to mitigating new COVID-19 spikes. Wilmette will now be in the Suburban Cook Region (#10) and separate from Chicago. The Governor's updated response plan also outlines testing and hospital capacity triggers that would move a region into a more restrictive tier (e.g. business and activity restrictions/suspensions). Please continue to practice physical distancing, wash your hands frequently, wear your face mask and stay home if you feel sick to keep our region on track! Visit our website for a summary of the plan.
 
Travel Guidance
The Cook County Department of Public Health issued emergency travel guidance today directing travelers entering or returning to suburban Cook County from states with surging COVID-19 rates to quarantine for 14 days since their last contact within the identified. Learn more. 

CDC: New COVID-19 Symptoms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently added congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea to the list of COVID-19 symptoms. Other symptoms may include fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath. Some people have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Visit the CDC website for the full list of symptoms, view the self-checker, see instructions on when to seek medical attention and more. Y ou can get a COVID-19 test at several community-based testing sites regardless of symptoms or doctor's referral. Visit the Cook County Department of Public Health website for a map and information on local COVID-19 testing sites. 

Do You Have COVID-19 Antibodies? Donate Blood and Learn Your Status!
Curious if you have developed antibodies to COVID-19, whether you have had symptoms or not? The presence of COVID-19 antibodies means you have already been infected and may be immune to future infections. For a limited time, you can get a free antibody test through  the American Red Cross when you schedule a blood, platelet or plasma donation. There is a critical need for blood daily for surgeries, emergencies, medical procedures and cancer treatments. Note: This test is not for diagnosing individuals who feel ill. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to make an appointment.

Help keep our community healthy and moving toward recovery - wear your mask properly in public places where physical distance can't be maintained
Elmwood Dunes Preserve Closing for Summer Beginning July 21

For the safety of residents, visitors and staff, the Village has decided to close Elmwood Dunes Preserve for the remainder of the summer beginning Monday, July 21. Factors contributing to this decision include crowd control concerns/containing the spread of COVID-19 and incidents of individuals swimming in the water off the dunes, which is against Village code. The Village hopes to reopen Elmwood Dunes Preserve in the fall so residents can enjoy this peaceful nature preserve safely.

Visit the Wilmette Park District webpage for information on parks and beaches in Wilmette.

Looking to snag some great deals and support Wilmette businesses while you're at it? Stop by Downtown Wilmette, Plaza del Lago, West Wilmette and Ridge Road shopping districts today and tomorrow (Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Social Distance Sidewalk Sale! This event is hosted by the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Wilmette businesses. Thank you for practicing safety guidelines while shopping. 

While you're shopping, show our great local businesses some virtual love! Snap a photo and share on social media - be sure to tag the business and use #Wilmetteonomics. Learn more about the Village's new #Wilmetteonomics campaign and view daily messages on these pages: Wilmettonomics, Wilmette Biz, DiscoverWilmette.
Tableside Tunes in Downtown Wilmette Saturday Night

Musician Matthew Davis
Come dine outdoors in downtown Wilmette Saturday, July 18 f rom 6 to 8 p.m. and listen to multi-instrumentalist and singer Mathew Davis perform classic and contemporary Motown, soul, jazz and Caribbean sounds. From relaxing to upbeat, this eclectic mix will have something for everyone to enjoy.

Davis will play near the corner of Wilmette and Central avenues. Diners are invited to use outdoor seating at Village Hall and Veteran's Park. Thank you for not gathering, as this is not a concert but ambient background music, and Phase 4 health and safety guidelines will be enforced.
Skokie & Lake Intersection Improvement Public Meeting Next Thursday, July 23

The Village will hold a public information meeting on Thursday, July 23 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for the U.S. Route 41 (Skokie Boulevard) and Lake Avenue Intersection Improvement. The meeting will be held outdoors at the Public Works Parking Lot (711 Laramie Ave.), attendance will be limited to 50 people at a time and masks and physical distancing will be required.

The project team will introduce the project and seek public input about planned project improvements, including resurfacing Lake Avenue, minor changes to the intersection geometry, pedestrian safety enhancements and construction of a multi-use path on Skokie Boulevard north of Lake Avenue.

RSVP: 847-853-7500 / [email protected]

Learn more about the meeting. Learn more about the project.
Transportation Commission Meeting August 11

The Village is pleased to announce that the process of approving the Master Bike and Active Transportation Plan is moving forward. The Plan was initially reviewed by the Transportation Commission on Feb. 18 and then placed on hold as a result of the pandemic. In keeping with the State's Open Meetings Act, the Commission will continue its review of the Plan on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. in an online meeting via Microsoft Teams.

Learn more about the meeting, including how to participate and provide public comments. Visit the project website to view the most recent version of the Plan. 
Now Hiring: Wilmette Firefighter/Paramedic (Full-time)


Are you or someone you know looking for a rewarding career with the Village of Wilmette as a firefighter/paramedic? The Village is looking for qualified individuals to be part of the Village's firefighter eligibility list. The Village will be conducting a competitive testing process to establish its list beginning in August 2020. Visit our website for more information, including eligibility requirements and a link to the application. 
Neighborhood Storage Project Construction Update

Community Playfield:  The contractor is scheduled to work Saturday, July 18 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Special approval has been granted for the contractor to begin work one hour earlier than the Saturday hours published in the Village Code. We thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Highlights from this week:
Phase 1A: Crews installed new driveway asphalt.

Phase 1A Highlights - Storm Sewer and Watermain Improvements (Read the full
 construction update here)
  • On Blackhawk and Romona roads, crews installed asphalt in the Lake Avenue and Romona Road intersection and at driveways. Next week, crews will prepare for sod planting and the final asphalt, which is anticipated to be installed Tuesday, July 21.
    • Traffic impacts: The roadway will be closed to through traffic on Orchard Lane East or Romona Road to Redbud Lane.
  • On Orchard Lane and Romona Road, crews prepared for final asphalt, which is anticipated to be installed Tuesday, July 21.
    • Traffic impacts: Romona Road will be closed to thru-traffic north of Lake Avenue.
  • For the watermain improvement work on Lake Avenue, crews performed exploratory trenching to locate underground utilities. They also began directional boring - a low-impact method of installing underground pipes - for the water main along Lake Avenue and will continue this work next week. 
    • Traffic impacts: The outside two lanes on Lake Avenue will be closed until Wednesday, July 22. The Lake Avenue eastbound right lane will be closed from west of Skokie Boulevard to Hibbard Road. Skokie Boulevard southbound and northbound right lanes will be closed at Lake Avenue.
Phase 1 Highlights (Read the full construction update here). 

Community Playfield Improvements
  • This week, crews continued to deliver and install the detention vault sections - nearly 85% of pieces have been installed! They also backfilled around the detention vault, prepared the base for the remaining areas and installed storm sewer piping to deliver stormwater to the vault. Next week, crews will continue this work. 
Phase 1: Preparing the base for installing the remaining 15% of the vault.

Storm Sewer Improvements
  • This week, crews worked on road restoration along the Meadow Drives, Wilmette Avenue and the Wilshire Drives, and next week they will work on landscape restoration in the same area. Crews also worked on water main relocation at the intersection of Hunter and Illinois roads and will continue this work next week.
Phase 1: Road restoration

Note: The intersection of Illinois Road and Hunter Road will remain closed through mid-August.
Wilmette Events & Happenings

July 23 - Skokie & Lake Intersection Improvement Public Meeting
The Village will hold a public information meeting on Thursday, July 23 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for the U.S. Route 41 (Skokie Blvd.) and Lake Ave. Intersection Improvement. The meeting will be held outdoors at the Public Works Parking Lot (711 Laramie Ave.), attendance will be limited to 50 people at a time and masks and physical distancing will be required. RSVP: 847-853-7500 / [email protected]. Learn more about the meeting. Learn more about the project.

July 28 - Village Board Meeting
The Village Board will meet remotely on Tuesday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast live on the Village's YouTube channel and on Channel 6 and then published on the Village's website. The Board will hold a final vote on including a non-binding advisory cannabis referendum on the November 2020 ballot. Members of the public may submit public comment in advance of the meeting by emailing [email protected] or participate via Microsoft Teams. Details on remote participation here. Visit the Village's website to view agenda materials.

July 30 - Administration Committee Meeting
The Administration Committee will meet remotely on Thursday, July 30 at 2 p.m. to continue discussions regarding the Village's boards and commissions, with a focus on the Housing and Human Relations Commissions.  The meeting will be broadcast live on the Village's 
YouTube channel  and on Channel 6 and then published on the Village's website. Members of the public may submit public comment in advance of the meeting by emailing  [email protected]  or participate via Microsoft Teams. Details on remote participation  here . Visit the Village's  website  to view agenda materials.

July 30 - Downtown Streetscape Plan Open House Meetings
The Village will hold two open house meetings at the Village Green on Thursday, July 30. The first meeting will be for downtown businesses from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and the second will be for residents from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Village staff and the consultant team will discuss the upcoming streetscape and roadway reconstruction between the U.P. Railroad and Sheridan Road. Masks and physical distancing will be required, and attendance will be limited to 50 people at a time. RSVP to 847-853-7500 or [email protected]. Learn more about the Plan.

August 11 - Transportation Commission Meeting
The Transportation Commission will meet remotely on Tuesday, August 11 at 7 p.m. to discuss a review of the Master Bike and Active Transportation Plan. The meeting will be broadcast live on the Village's YouTube channel and on Channel 6 and then published on the Village's website. Members of the public may submit public comment in advance of the meeting by emailing [email protected] or participate via Microsoft Teams. Details on remote participation here. Visit the Village's website to view agenda materials.