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Village of Wilmette E-news
Enews
July 2, 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 .
Independence Day is around the corner! Though this year's celebrations will look different than past years, the Village wishes you and your family a fun and safe weekend! H ere's what's happening in Wilmette:

Village Service Updates
  • Village Hall will be closed tomorrow (Friday, July 3) in observance of Independence Day. 
  • Village Hall is currently operating on a limited hours schedule; however, on Monday, July 6, Village Hall will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
  • Trash collection will not be impacted by the holiday.
Celebrate Safely

Wilmette Police Department and the Village urge you to celebrate the Fourth of July safely:
  • Do not purchase or use commercial fireworks - they are illegal in Illinois and dangerous. Please report illegal fireworks to the Wilmette Police Department.
  • Remember Phase 4 reopening guidelines limit gatherings to 50 people or fewer. Physical distancing and the use of face coverings in public places where physical distance cannot be maintained remain critical to our community's health and safety.
  • However you celebrate our country's freedom, please choose to get a ride - don't drink and drive. 
Activities
  • In accordance with State Phase 4 re-opening guidelines, capacity to Elmwood Dunes will be limited to 50 people over the holiday weekend; as a reminder, swimming is not permitted at the Dunes. 
  • Wilmette Park District's annual July 3 fireworks and Independence Day activities have been canceled. 
  • The Park District will host its annual Yankee Doodle Dash virtually! Learn more.  

Phase 4 of the State's reopening plan, which went into effect last Friday, brings some changes as outlined above. Essential safety practices remain in place, like social distancing, frequently washing hands and wearing face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While indoor dining and all outdoor activities are now allowed, these also come with safety guidelines and restrictions. Here are some of the key details:
 
Indoor & Outdoor Dining
  • Indoor dining is permitted for parties of up to 10 people and with tables spaced six feet apart. Staff and diners must wear face coverings (except when eating). View indoor and outdoor dining guidelines here.
  • The Village continues to offer outdoor dining spaces at the Village Green and Veteran's Park.
Outdoor Recreation
  • Wilmette Park District playgrounds are now open and Wilmette beaches are open with lifeguards on duty. Visit the Wilmette Park District website for more details.
Want More Information?
  • Check out the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Phase 4 quick guide for an overview of the guidelines.
  • Review the DCEO Business Toolkit with detailed guidelines for all industries, as well as printable posters and signage to help staff and patrons follow Phase 4 guidelines.
Administration Committee Meeting Monday, July 6

The Village will hold an Administration Committee
meeting on Monday, July 6 at 2 p.m. The Committee will discuss the Village's volunteer boards and commissions. This discussion will include a review of existing boards and commissions, including opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The Committee will also discuss recognition of resident volunteers who serve and the recruitment process for boards and commissions.  This meeting will be held remotely and will be broadcast live on Channel 6 and the Village's YouTube channel . 

Remote participation information:
To submit comments:
  • Email comments at least 30 minutes in advance of the meeting to [email protected]. 
  • Comment during the meeting through YouTube Live. 
Learn more about how to participate in Village meetings remotely. The agenda and meeting packet will be posted here.
Aaron Dorfman
Tableside Tunes in Downtown Wilmette Friday and Saturday Nights

Come dine outdoors in downtown Wilmette Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4  from 6-8 p.m. and listen to music from some great local artists!

Friday, July 3: Native Chicagoan Aaron Dorfman will delight with a variety of music, from rock  and pop favorites to classic bluegrass, country and folk. 

Ethan Burfield
Saturday, July 4: Ethan Burfield will entertain diners with folk and rock music from both sides of the Atlantic. 

Musicians  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.
Support Local Businesses this Independence Day

Let Wilmette's local businesses help you step up the fun this weekend! Whether you're stocking the cooler for a social-distancing picnic, setting up the patio for a day of grilling or treating the kids to a scoop - or three! - of ice cream, Wilmette businesses offer everything you need for a fantastic Fourth of July. Small businesses and thriving local shopping districts are at the heart of what we cherish in America. Shopping local helps our whole community thrive!
Neighborhood Storage Project Construction Update
Highlights from this week:
Phase 1A: New rain gardens

There will not be Phase 1A construction on Friday, July 3 due to the Independence Day holiday.

Phase 1A Highlights - Storm Sewer and Watermain Improvements (Read the full
 construction update here)
  • This week, crews installed rain gardens  on Lavergne, Washington and Lamon avenues. Also, crews performed grinding of existing pavement and patched pavement along Blackhawk and Romona roads. This will continue next week along with installing the first layer of asphalt.
  • Work on the watermain improvements at Orchard Lane and Romona Road included pavement removal and preparing and grading the stone base. Installing the first layer of asphalt pavement will occur at the end of next week.
  • For the watermain improvement work on Lake Avenue, crews will be shutting down watermain valves next week. Businesses and residents who will be affected will receive advance notification.
There will not be construction activity at Community Park on July 4 and there will not be storm sewer construction activities on July 3 and 4.

Phase 1 Highlights (Read the full construction update here). 

Phase 1: View looking into the StormTrap vault
Community Playfield Improvements
  • The Village achieved a big milestone this week with 50% vault pieces (1125 of 2250 total) installed at Community Playfield.
  • Also this week, crews installed drain tile, backfilled around the detention vault and removed the bike path. They also installed the 36-inch storm sewer piping and structures to deliver stormwater to the detention vault.
  • Next week, crews will install detention vault sections, excavate and prepare aggregate base for detention vault, and place filter fabric and topsoil over installed detention vault.
Storm Sewer Improvements
  • Last week, crews continued restoring the road along Wilshire Drive, Wilshire Drive West and along the Meadow Drives. They completed road restoration along Wilmette Avenue and it is now open to thru traffic. Work also included landscape restoration along Wilmette Avenue.
  • Next week, crews will continue road restoration along the Meadow Drives and they will begin landscape restoration along Wilshire Drive and Wilshire Drive West. Landscape restoration will also continue along Wilmette Avenue. 
Wilmette Events & Happenings

July 6 - Administration Committee Meeting
The Administration Committee will meet remotely on Monday, July 6 at 2 p.m.  to discuss volunteer boards and commissions. The meeting will be broadcast live at  youtube.com/user/villageofwilmette/live  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 8 - Neighborhood Storage Project Phase 2 Open House
Meet the engineers and Park District staff, discuss the upcoming stormwater project, view the in-progress plans and ask questions. Open House will be  held under a tent in the north fields of Hibbard Park (300 Glenview Road) from 5:30-7 p.m. RSVP by calling Public Works at 847-853-7500 or emailing [email protected]. 

July 14 - Village Board Meeting
The Village Board will meet remotely on Tuesday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast live at youtube.com/user/villageofwilmette/live and on Channel 6 and then published on the Village's website.  Discussion will include a possible non-binding referendum on the November ballot concerning cannabis businesses.  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.