Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the "Restore Illinois" plan this week which outlines  five  phases for reopening the state and is divided into four regions, including  Northeast Illinois, North-Central Illinois, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois.

The Northeast quadrant is sub-divided into additional regions and Wilmette is in Region 10. The plan calls for certain regions to be able to open businesses and schools and return to more normalcy as they meet certain thresholds. The Illinois Department of Public Health will track data and advise when a region can advance to new phases. Illinois is currently in the second of the five phases of reopening.

 

The Village, along with businesses and other government agencies, is experiencing economic pressure from the pandemic and Illinois' Stay at Home Order. Village staff has conducted an analysis of the potential financial impact on the Village and our budget. As a result of the Village Board's consistent and strategic commitment to fiscal responsibility and good governance, the Village is in a strong position to weather an economic slowdown due to COVID-19. The Village's strong reserve levels, diverse revenue streams and prudent financial decisions will provide flexibility to the Village during these uncertain times. We will continue to monitor, analyze and report the financial implications of COVID-19 to the Village Board and residents over the coming months. The staff financial analysis presentation to the Board from April 28, 2020 can be viewed here.

Advanced Disposal has determined that is safe for their drivers to resume bulk collection beginning Monday, May 11 while continuing to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Please help Advanced Disposal's crews transition back to bulk collection service by refraining from putting out large piles all at once. 

From Advanced Disposal: "We want to continue to express our thanks to our municipal customers for the support they have shown our front-line workers."

NorthShore University HealthSystem is currently accepting donations of specific, critical supplies, including cloth mask donations. These will be given to patients without masks that come to NorthShore facilities and medical practices. 

 
To ensure the safety of patients and staff, NorthShore has outlined the specific supplies it can accept and how to make a donation. NorthShore is also accepting financial and food donations for hospital, emergency department and immediate care center employees.

Visit the NorthShore website to learn more and to view the current list of needs.

You can also show your support for our health care heroes! Send a special message to the NorthShore team and let them know you're thinking of them, appreciate them and value their help by sending an email to [email protected] .

Handwashing, bathing, cooking, washing clothes, and drinking - examples of ways we use drinking water every day! This week is national Drinking Water Week. This annual observance recognizes the critical role drinking water plays in our daily lives and the water professionals who work around-the-clock to ensure high-quality drinking water is always available at your tap, right when you need it.

The Village of Wilmette provides delicious and safe drinking water to over 100,000 residents in Wilmette and some of our neighboring communities. You probably don't give much thought to how water gets from Lake Michigan to your faucet, but our Water Management Department sure does! These dedicated employees are responsible for managing the operation and maintenance of our water facilities and infrastructure, including the Carbon P. Dubbs Water Treatment Plant, more than 100 miles of water main and pipes, pumping stations, and water meters and metering vaults. The Village continues to meet and exceed USEPA standards for drinking water.

Learn more about Village water services and read our water quality reports. Also, teach your kids about the importance of drinking water with this coloring sheet.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) began asphalt resurfacing work on Skokie Boulevard this 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. 

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. 

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. 

Construction on the West Side Neighborhood Storage Project continues. For more information, visit wsnsp.com. Here are highlights from this week:

	Underground junction chamber construction (Lake Avenue)

Phase 1A Highlights - Storm Sewer Improvements (Read the full construction update  here )

• This week, crews removed pavement and prepared new asphalt on Lavergne, Washington and Lamon avenues and began building the large underground junction chamber on the south side of Lake Avenue. 
• Next week, the contractor will begin installing asphalt on Lavergne, Washington and Lamon avenues and continue storm sewer work on Blackhawk and Romona roads. Check out this week's update for traffic impacts.

Phase 1 Highlights (Read the full construction update here)

Community Playfield Improvements

• This week, the contractor continued removing and stockpiling soil and made a construction access road in preparation for stormwater vault installation. All work next week will take place within the fenced work area to accommodate Highcrest School's Parent Access Days.

Storm Sewer Improvements

• This week, crews installed storm sewer along Wilshire Drive and Wilmette Avenue. Next week, sewer installation will begin in West Meadow Drive. Residents will receive additional notifications from the project team. 
• 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.
   

Happy Mother's Day to the amazing mothers and mother figures who make Wilmette such a special place to live! We value your contributions to our workplaces, communities and families and we wish all of you a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

Also, consider ordering a special meal from one of our fabulous local restaurants this weekend (and ask about Mother's Day specials), and purchase a Mother's Day gift to pick up from one of our local shops!