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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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Illinois' Modified Executive Order Begins Today
Here's What You Need to Know:
Face Coverings: Anyone age two or older is required to wear a face covering or a mask when in public places like stores where a six-foot social distance can't be maintained.
Outdoor Recreation
Golf Courses:
Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines and social distancing requirements. The Wilmette Golf Club
is open for golf starting today, with a number of provisions to protect the safety of customers, employees and the community. Visit the
Golf Club's website
for specific guidelines and restrictions.
State Parks:
Some state parks will open on Friday. Visit the
Department of Natural Resources
for a list. Guests will be allowed to engage in activities, such as wildlife observation, hiking, biking, horseback riding and fishing. All visitor centers, campgrounds, playgrounds, shelter reservations, interpretive educational programs, beaches, special events and concessions will remain closed. (Please note,
Wilmette Park District
playgrounds and facilities - excluding the Wilmette Golf Club course - remain closed through May 30).
Essential Businesses: Greenhouses, nurseries, garden centers and animal groomers may reopen with required social distancing. Employees and customers are also required to wear a face covering.
Retail Businesses: Non-essential retail stores may reopen to fulfill telephone and online orders through pickup outside the store and delivery, but cannot allow customers in the store.
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Update on Economic Relief Programs
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to provide direct support to Wilmette's small businesses, the Village Board approved an economic relief package totaling $531,000.
The Small Business Tax Rebate Program provides immediate financial support to restaurants, retail stores and other local merchants through a municipal sales tax rebate program. Since its launch in late March, 53 businesses have been approved and the Village has approved over $200,000 in rebates.
The Board expanded the economic package in mid-April to include the Service Business Assistance Grant Program that provides immediate financial support to various service-based businesses. So far, 25 service-based businesses have been approved, and the Village has approved $30,000 in grant funding to these businesses.
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Wilmette Businesses: Learn More About Assistance Programs
The Village is committed to supporting our local businesses during this very challenging time and making it simple and seamless to access information and apply for these programs.
Visit the
Village's website to access details about both the Village's Small Business Tax Rebate Program and Service Business Assistance Grant Program, including rules and application information.
The Village has developed a helpful
resource summary document that includes information on local, state and federal programs, FAQs and applications.
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Village Service Updates
Recycling Toters: If your recycling toter is filling up more quickly these days, consider upgrading to a larger size for free! Contact Public Works at 847-853-7500 or [email protected]. You can also lease an additional recycling toter for a small annual fee. Learn more.
Online Bill Pay Reminder: You can easily pay your utility bills, vehicle stickers, yard waste stickers and more through the Village's
online payment portal.
Lawn Sprinkler System Compliance:
The Village requires that cross connection control devices (CCCDs) be installed on all lawn sprinkler systems, swimming pools, spas and fixtures that connect to the water supply to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the Village's water supply. This requirement is still in place as licensed CCCD testing contractors are considered essential workers under the Stay at Home Order. Owners are also still required to annually test backflow preventers, regardless of whether you use an irrigation system, swimming pool, etc. This CCCD test must be performed and submitted prior to turning any sprinkler system, pool, spa or the like on for the season.
Learn more
.
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Fraud Surrounding COVID-19 Increasing - Protect Yourself
The COVID-19 crisis and recent economic stimulus have created opportunities for fraud and scams. Here are some tips and resources to help you protect yourself:
How to Detect Counterfeit U.S. Treasury Checks Millions of Americans will receive paper U.S. Treasury checks from the CARES Act. There are key things to look for to make sure it is real, including the U.S. Treasury Seal to the right of the Statue of Liberty that reads "Bureau of the Fiscal Service" and a "U.S. TREASURY" watermark, which can be seen from both front and back when held up to a light source. Get more tips and resources and read the U.S. Secret Service Press Release.
Be Wary of Sharing Personal Information
Think twice about participating in social media challenges like the #Classof2020 senior picture trend because high school name and graduation year are common security questions that could help scammers gain access to your personal accounts. Also, be on the lookout for scam phone calls and emails "phishing" for your personal and financial information.
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Staying Safe and Active Outdoors During COVID-19
Spring has sprung, and we can expect to see beautiful weather over the coming days. We understand that you want to be outside and enjoy the warmer temperatures, but please remember that we remain under a Stay at Home Order to help protect the health and safety of our community.
Please follow these dos and don'ts to keep yourself and others safe:
The Wilmette Park District reminds residents to please adhere to guidelines and avoid large groups in Wilmette's open spaces. Park District staff continue to monitor Gillson Beach and parks to ensure the proper use of facilities and make sure there are no group gatherings. If social distancing is not followed, the Park District will take additional measures, including closing the parks and beach.
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Spring Brings Coyote Denning and Pupping
Have you seen more wildlife since you've been staying at home? According to the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, it's possible that we're just noticing wildlife that have been nearby all along. But, spring is also coyote denning and pupping season, so coyotes are more active around and protective of their den sites. During this time of year, it's especially important to keep pets on leashes during walks and supervise them when outside and do not leave food outside.
Get more tips and information about how to coexist with coyotes.
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Skokie Boulevard Resurfacing Project Beginning Week of May 4
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is set to begin asphalt resurfacing work on Skokie Boulevard next week. The work area is from the Village limits south of Old Glenview Road to the Village limits at Illinois Road. This project involves pavement replacement and patching and curb, sidewalk and utility structure repairs, as well as repairs to the Edens Expressway off-ramp at Skokie Boulevard.
Schedule
Work is scheduled to begin the week of May 4 and is anticipated to be complete by September 2020. The Edens off-ramp closure is tentatively scheduled to begin the week of May 11 and is expected to be in place for 10 days.
Traffic Impacts
Skokie Boulevard is anticipated to remain open during construction with daytime lane closures. Traffic delays are expected, so please plan accordingly to allow more travel time or use alternate routes if possible.
Parkway Plantings
The Village plans to install gateway landscape plantings in the medians at the north end of this project and is seeking a grant to cover the costs of the plants. The plantings will feature native grasses and flowers to promote sustainability and beautify these areas.
Questions can be directed to Village Engineer Dan Manis at 847-853-7602 or
[email protected]. Questions or concerns during construction should be directed to IDOT's resident engineer, Dino Abazovic at 847-460-2096 or
[email protected].
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The Village plans to replace the existing concrete medians at the north end of the project area with native plantings. |
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Neighborhood Storage Project Construction Update
Construction on the West Side Neighborhood Storage Project continues. For more information, visit
wsnsp.com. Here are highlights from this week:
Phase 1A Highlights - Storm Sewer Improvements (Read the full construction update
here
)
- This week, crews worked on pavement restoration and manhole reconstruction on Lavergne, Washington and Lamon avenues. On Blackhawk and Ramona roads, crews set up the detour, installed protective tree fencing and prepared for storm sewer installation.
- Next week, crews will continue removing existing pavement Lavergne, Washington and Lamon avenues and prepare for asphalt paving scheduled for May 8 -12. Storm sewer work will continue on Blackhawk and Romona roads.
- The two southbound lanes of Lake Avenue will be closed at Romona Road (two-way traffic will use the northbound lanes). The southbound intersection at this location will remain closed for the next month.
Phase 1 Highlights (Read the full construction update here)
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Residents can now view real-time and time-lapse video of the Community Playfield project. Watch here. |
Community Playfield Improvements
- This week, crews continued removing soil in preparation for the stormwater storage vault construction, but had to stop due to heavy rain. Next week, the contractor will begin excavating the vault on the south side of the park.
Storm Sewer Improvements
- The contractor installed new water mains from the intersection of Wilmette Avenue and Wilshire Drive and southward along Wilshire Drive, removed asphalt from the roadway and complete minor storm sewer work. Next week, crews will excavate and install the storm sewer along Wilmette Avenue.
- Wilmette Avenue between Locust Road and Glenview Road will be closed through late June 2020. Both Wilmette Avenue and Wilshire Drive will remain closed for the next few weeks as storm sewer work continues.
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If you're looking for some new activities to do this weekend, here are some ideas:
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Happy Friday, Wilmette!
Remember, we are in this together! Stay #WilmetteStrong. And, please don't forget to support our local restaurants, merchants and retailers.
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