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Village of Wilmette E-news
Enews
Oct. 30, 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.
Village Hall Service Update for Nov. 3

Village Hall will be open for Election Day voting on Tuesday, Nov. 3 but we will not be providing in-person services at Village Hall. This is to maintain the health and safety of our staff and visitors in response to the resurgence in COVID-19 and new capacity restrictions. Visit our website for information completing business online or by phone. Village Hall will resume normal services on Wednesday, Nov. 4. 
Election Day is Next Tuesday, Nov. 3

With Election Day just four days away, make sure you have a plan to cast your ballot!

Election Day (Nov. 3) Voting
Some polling places may have changed this year - be sure to look up your polling place here.

Early Voting Available Through Nov. 2
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, early voting is encouraged to prevent long lines and crowding on Election Day. View the full list of early voting locations. 
  • Early voting will be available in Wilmette at Centennial Ice Rinks (2300 Old Glenview Road). 
    • Oct. 26 30: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Oct. 31 - Nov. 1: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Nov. 2: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Check the Early Voting Wait Times Map.
Casting a Mail Ballot
You can return your mail ballot via USPS (must be postmarked by Nov. 3) or drop it off and a secure mail ballot drop box - view all Cook County drop box locations here. A secure drop box is available in Wilmette at Centennial Ice Rinks (2300 Old Glenview Road) during early voting hours.  

Voter Registration
The regular voter registration deadline has passed, but "Grace Period" registration is available through Election Day. Learn more. 
Cannabis Referendum

Wilmette voters are being asked to weigh in on whether the Village should allow the retail sale of cannabis in Wilmette. This non-binding referendum will help gauge public opinion for future Village Board policy discussions. The ballot questions reads: 

"Shall the retail sale of adult use recreational cannabis be permitted within the Village of Wilmette at a business licensed by the State of Illinois?"

As you consider how to vote, please visit our dedicated cannabis referendum webpage, which features information on State regulations, surrounding communities' policies and referenda and helpful FAQs.

The Village of Wilmette is looking forward to a safe and fun Halloween this year. Given the current COVID-19 environment, we encourage families to follow IDPH Halloween celebration guidelines and consider socially distant alternatives to traditional celebrations. 
COVID-19 Update: New Restrictions in Place in Suburban Cook County

This has been another record-breaking week for COVID-19 infections in Illinois, with the state hitting a new high of 6,943 infections today, twice the numbers we saw in May. Suburban Cook County's (Region 10) seven-day rolling average for test positivity is 8.3% (most recent data as of Oct. 26). This, combined with continued increases in test positivity and hospital admissions, triggered additional restrictions in Region 10 that started Wednesday. These include:
  • No indoor dining or bar service
  • Outdoor dining and bar service permitted until 11 p.m.
  • Tables must be six feet apart
  • In-person gatherings limited to 25 individuals
  • Indoor gatherings limited to 25% room capacity
COVID-19 in Wilmette: 
  • As of Oct. 29, Wilmette's seven-day rolling average of confirmed daily cases is 4.1 new cases per day. To date, Wilmette has had 430 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 29 new cases reported since Oct. 22.
  • The Village's seven-day rolling average for test positivity (percentage of those tested who test positive for COVID-19) is at 4%.
  • Overall, there have been 11,577 tests for Wilmette, with 727 new tests since Oct. 22.
Our individual actions are critical to keeping our community healthy and reversing this trend. Please avoid non-essential social gatherings and practice the 3 W's - Wear your mask. Watch your distance. Wash your hands.  

In partnership with the Wilmette Park District, Wilmette Public LibrarySchool District 39 and Avoca School District 37, we urge you to do your part to keep our community safe!
Local Restaurants and Businesses Need Our Support!

Wilmette restaurants and businesses need your support more than ever, especially with the additional restrictions imposed this week and indoor dining closures. Your support is critical to help them weather this challenging time and keep jobs in Wilmette!
Village Board Approves Downtown Optima Development

Rendering of the Optima Development at 1210 Central Ave.
The much talked about Downtown Optima Development got a green light from the Village Board this week. The Board granted final approval for the mixed-used development that includes commercial space and more than 100 new residential units in the Village Center. The plan also includes 28 new public parking spaces with two public electric vehicle parking stations. Additionally, the developers are donating $1.6 million toward the development of affordable housing and helping to fund infrastructure improvements in the Village Center. 
Don't Forget to Compost Your Pumpkins Next Weekend!
Help Keep Leaf Collection Moving Smoothly

The Village is now three weeks into the fall leaf collection program. Even though leaf volume has been higher than typical, Public Works crews have remained on schedule! A couple reminders to keep things moving along smoothly:
  • Please remember to rake your loose leaves to the curb by 7 a.m. on the first day of a two-day collection window. Your leaves will only be collected on one of the two scheduled days. 
  • Occasionally, leaf collection crews may be in your area ahead of schedule. When this happens, we will always return on one of your scheduled collection days, so please be mindful of posted parking restrictions. 
  • Do not park on the street until the street has been swept.

Visit our website for more tips and guidelines and to view the leaf collection schedule.

Cook County Resident Cash Assistance Program

Cook County is accepting applications for its COVID-19 Resident Cash Assistance Program for residents of suburban Cook County. The program provides one-time, $600 payments to eligible households who meet income requirements and who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Learn more about eligibility requirements and apply. Don't wait - funds are limited!
Village Board Recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Village Board approved a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Wilmette. Nearly one in four women and one in seven men, have suffered from domestic violence by an intimate partner. The Village joins with other communities across Illinois and the nation in supporting the victims of domestic violence. If you or someone you know has suffered from domestic violence, help is available at the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic.
When It's Time to Change the Clocks, It's Time to Check Your Alarms!

With daylight savings Sunday, Nov. 1, the Wilmette Fire Department urges residents to take this opportunity to check smoke alarms throughout your home. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. As you check your smoke alarms, keep these guidelines in mind:
  • Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
  • Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings-remember, smoke rises. Wall-mounted alarms should be installed no more than 12 inches away from the ceiling.
  • Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years. When purchasing new alarms, choose 10-year, built-in battery devices. (Tip: write the installation month and year on the alarm to keep track of its age).
  • Don't forget about your carbon monoxide detectors. Install one per floor and make sure they are close to or in bedrooms.
  • When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
Daylight Saving PSA


 

Village Construction Projects
The Neighborhood Storage Project is the Village's largest ever infrastructure investment and will bring flooding relief to thousands of Wilmette residents while improving access and safety for our entire community. Visit the project website for construction updates
The Central Avenue Reconstruction and Downtown Streetscape Project will enhance lighting, sidewalks, roadways, plantings and amenities on Wilmette and Central avenues within downtown. Visit the project website for more information.  
Traffic Impacts: 
  • Crews will be paving the north side of Central Avenue and the north side of its intersection with Wilmette Avenue on Monday, Nov. 2. Wilmette Avenue will be closed to thru traffic on the north side of Central Avenue from approximately 8 a.m. to the early afternoon. Expect traffic congestion and temporary intersection closures.
  • Central Avenue is closed to eastbound traffic between Sheridan Road and Green Bay Road. Please follow the detour and allow extra time for travel.
  • Expect congestion, temporary lane shifts and temporary blocking of parking stalls in the work area.
  • Downtown parking on Central Avenue now accommodates vehicles traveling westbound.
Every year the Village completes road, sidewalk and alley repairs, brick street maintenance, sewer lining and many other infrastructure improvements. View project timelines and completion status, and check out an interactive map of all Village construction projects.
Wilmette Events and Happenings
Oct. 31 - Halloween
The CDC does not recommend trick-ot-treating this year. If you choose to trick-or-treat, hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Please review and adhere to Halloween safety guidelines. 

Nov. 3 - Election Day
Look up your Election Day polling place here

Nov. 7 - Pumpkin Pitch Composting Event
Join the Village and Go Green Wilmette from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to compost your pumpkins and keep them out of the landfill! There will be two locations this year: Village Hall (1200 Wilmette Ave.) and Centennial Park (2300 Old Glenview Road). Please remove decorations (candles, yarn, stickers, non-biodegradable materials, etc.) before dropping off.

Nov. 8 - Wilmette Historical Museum Virtual Lecture
"Luxembourgers in Chicago: From North Avenue to Wilmette." 2 to 3 p.m. Free virtual lecture, advance registration required. Learn more and register. 

Nov. 10 - Village Board Meeting
The Village Board will meet remotely on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams and broadcast live on the Village's YouTube and Channel 6. For more information on submitting public comment and remote participation via Microsoft Teams or YouTube Chat, please click here. View the agenda and materials here