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Village of Wilmette E-News
Jan. 22, 2021
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 and Vaccination Updates

On Saturday, Jan. 23, Suburban Cook County (Region 10) is expected to move from Tier 2 to Tier 1 of the State’s COVID-19 mitigation plan. Some of the changes from Tier 2 to Tier 1 include:

Bars and Restaurants 
  • Indoor service limited to the lesser of 25% or 25 people per room 
  • Establishment must serve food for indoor service 
  • Reservations required and limited to two hours 
  • No tables exceeding four people indoors 
  • Bars and restaurants close at 11 p.m. and may reopen no earlier than 6 a.m. the following day 

Meeting and Social Gatherings
  • Limit of 25 guests or 25% of room capacity in place
  • No party buses

Organized Group Recreational Activities
  • Face coverings must be worn inside fitness centers, regardless of spacing
  • Recreation, fitness centers and outdoor activities should follow Phase 4 guidance
Let’s keep things moving in the right direction to move Region 10 to Phase 4. Visit the Illinois Department of Public health website to view criteria. Please continue to wear your mask, wash your hands and watch your distance. In order to move to Phase 4, a region must meet the following metrics:
  1. A test positivity rate less than or equal to 6.5% for three consecutive days, as measured by the 7-day rolling average; AND  
  2. At least 20% available staffed ICU and medical/surgical hospital beds for three consecutive days, on a 7-day rolling average; AND
  3. No sustained increase in the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 for seven out of 10 days, on a 7-day average.
Vaccination Updates
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) announced that they expect to move to Phase 1b of the vaccination distribution plan on Monday, Jan. 25. CCDPH is one of 97 certified health departments in the state that are allotted vaccines. Wilmette is among 126 Cook County suburbs that fall under CCDPH jurisdiction.

In Phase 1b, vaccines will be available to individuals ages 65+ and those who are considered frontline essential workers. In order to meet the needs of these Phase 1b, CCDPH is adding significant capacity to community vaccination distribution sites in anticipation of future increases in vaccine distribution by the federal government. Cook County has indicated that initial supplies of the vaccine are extremely limited and will not immediately be available for members of Phase 1b.

The Village is committed to using all of its financial and personnel resources to accelerate the rollout of the vaccine to our residents. To that end, Wilmette in partnership with the Villages of Winnetka, Northfield and Lincolnwood sent a letter to Cook County Department of Public Health earlier this month proposing to utilize our Certified Paramedics to administer vaccinations to Cook County residents. We have outstanding resources and personnel in our local Fire Departments and are working proactively with Cook County to leverage this asset.

Currently there is no public registration through CCDPH for the vaccination. As CCPDH updates their website with registration and clinic information, the Village will share that information with residents. The Village has also compiled information and FAQs on our website.
COVID-19 in Wilmette: 
  • As of Jan. 21, Wilmette's seven-day rolling average of confirmed daily cases is 6.7 new cases per day. To date, Wilmette has had 1,170 confirmed cases and 13 residents have died of complications related to COVID-19. 
  • As of Jan. 21, Wilmette's seven-day rolling average for test positivity (percentage of those tested who test positive for COVID-19) is at 5.40%. Since Jan. 14, there have been 47 new cases and 871 new tests.
Share Your Input at Upcoming Village Meetings
There’s a lot going on with Village infrastructure projects, policy planning and commissions – share your input and get involved by attending or submitting comments at these upcoming Village meetings! Click on the meeting heading below for links to agendas, remote participation and commenting details.

  • Jan. 26 Village Board Meeting: The Village President will introduce appointees to the newly reinvigorated Human Relations Commission; they will be formally appointed at the Feb. 9 Village Board meeting. The purpose of the commission is to foster and promote an inclusive community where all racial, ethnic, gender, religious, sexual orientation and cultural backgrounds feel safe and welcomed. The Commission also promotes increased participation in all aspects of community life and a sense of shared community among all residents. See the letter from President Bielinski with the recommended appointees.


  • Feb. 4 Village Board Committee of the Whole Meeting: The Committee will continue discussions on recreational cannabis in Wilmette, including: November 2020 referendum results on the sale of cannabis in Wilmette; new dispensary locations in the region; updates to cannabis financial data on a statewide and regional basis; public safety impacts; and timelines for future discussions based upon Village Board deliberations.
  • Specifics regarding locations and zoning will not be discussed at this meeting. Such discussions would take place at a later date depending on the outcome of the Village Board’s deliberations.
  • The Village has compiled information on surrounding communities' cannabis business policies, State recreational cannabis regulations, Village regulations regarding recreational cannabis and other relevant information. Visit our website for these resources.
  • If you would like to submit written comment on this discussion, please send comments to [email protected].

  • Feb. 9 Village Board Meeting: The Village Board will take public comment and review the Master Bike and Active Transportation Plan at this meeting, with final approval anticipated at the Feb. 23 Village Board meeting. Visit walkbikewilmette.com to learn more about the plan, which is shaped by community input and will guide future decision-making in the Village.
Wilmette Police Warn of Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims are on the rise across the country and in Illinois. Last year, Wilmette had over 300 UI fraud incidents documented. If you are a victim of UI Fraud, Wilmette Police recommend the following actions:


IDES also has frequently asked questions and other information on its website.
Join the Wilmette Historical Museum Annual Meeting on Jan. 31

The Wilmette Historical Museum will hold its Annual Meeting and lecture via Zoom on Sunday, Jan. 31, from 2 to 3 p.m. Susan Benjamin, noted historic preservationist and architectural historian, will discuss her new book Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses 1929-1975, which she co-authored with Michelangelo Sabatino. Beautifully illustrated with many historic images, the book surveys over 50 houses in the Chicago area, including several from Wilmette. The talk will explore the role that Chicago and its suburbs played in the development of the modern single-family home in the twentieth century. Advance registration is required for this free virtual lecture. Learn more and register.
Prevent Winter Home Fires
Home fires occur more in the winter than any other season. Heating, candles and winter storms all contribute to this increased risk. Check out these facts and tips from FEMA/U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association to help keep you and your family safe.
Wilmette Events and Happenings
Jan. 26 - Village Board Meeting
The Village Board will meet remotely on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams and broadcast live on the Village's YouTube and Channel 6.

Jan. 27 - Finance Committee of the Village Board
The Finance Committee will discuss a sewer lateral assistance program, the Village's budget reserve policy and Village financial reporting on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams and broadcast live on the Village's YouTube and Channel 6.

Jan. 28 - Historic Preservation Commission
The Historic Preservation Commission will meet on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams and broadcast live on the Village's YouTube and Channel 6.

Jan. 31 - Wilmette Historical Society Annual Meeting and Lecture
The Wilmette Historical Society will hold their Annual Meeting and Lecture (featuring noted historic preservationist and architectural historian, Susan Benjamin) on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. The event will be held via zoom and is free, but registration is required (see above for details).

Feb. 4 – Committee of the Whole Meeting 
There will be a Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss recreational cannabis on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams and broadcast live on the Village's YouTube and Channel 6.