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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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Village Board Votes to Approve Advisory Cannabis Referendum
In November, Wilmette voters will be able to weigh in on whether to allow the retail sale of recreational cannabis in the Village.
The Village Board approved placing the advisory (
non-binding) cannabis referendum on the November ballot at its meeting this week. The purpose is for the Village to gauge general public opinion on this issue and
guide future discussions by the Village. The referendum language is:
"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?"
The 2020 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 - register to vote
here. This referendum question will be included on all Wilmette ballots. Look out for more information and educational materials in the coming weeks. As a reminder, adults over the age of 21 can legally possess and use cannabis in Wilmette
within the limitations of State law.
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Please Continue to Do Your Part to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 and Keep Wilmette's Cases Low - Stay Informed with Local Data
As Illinois sees an uptick in COVID-19 cases, Wilmette's number of
confirmed cases is at
203 according to the latest numbers from the
Cook County Department of Public Health. This is lower than many of our neighboring communities. Please continue to do your part to keep our community safe and healthy, and our economy open. Remember, it's not too much to mask! Also, practice social distancing and wash your hands. Let's not go backward!
State and local officials are monitoring key metrics to determine if and when additional mitigation measures are necessary to slow the spread. The metrics are intended to raise local awareness, guide decision-making and promote healthy behaviors. For example, if a local area is in the "warning" level, officials recommend asking yourself these questions: Should I still attend or host a large gathering? Are there additional precautions I should take given my personal/family health risks? Should I wait to dine out or go to a movie?
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Suburban Cook County COVID-19 Risk Metrics
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Visit these resources to better understand the local-level data:
State Launches Coronavirus Helpline
If you need emotional support and quick answers to questions about the coronavirus pandemic, text "TALK" to 55-2020 (or "HABLAR" for Spanish), and within 24 hours you will receive a call from a counselor. Residents can also text keywords such as "UNEMPLOYMENT," "FOOD" or "SHELTER," to the same number to receive additional information about those topics.
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Dry, Dunk, Dispose to Prevent Oily Rag Spontaneous Combustion
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Oily Rags Auto-Ignition Demonstration
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Did you know that oil-soaked rags can catch fire on their own? Two significant house fires in Wilmette were caused by this kind of chemical reaction. In response, the Wilmette Police Department and UL, a global safety science leader, partnered to create educational materials to help people understand these risks and take precautions. Next time you're working with wood stain, wiping up motor oil or using other oil-based products, remember to "Dry, Dunk, Dispose!"
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Check Out The New Downtown Streetscape Plan Website!
Construction Starts in August - Stay Connected
The Village and our consultant project team are excited to introduce a
new website for the Downtown Streetscape Plan!
This project will enhance lighting, sidewalks, roadways, plantings and amenities on Wilmette and Central avenues within downtown.
On this site, you can share your input, view photos and plan renderings, check out past presentations on the project, sign up for updates and more!
Stage 1 of construction will begin in August and is expected to wrap up in December 2020 - view construction maps here. The Village and design team are committed to working with residents and business to minimize construction impacts. Please sign up to receive email updates here and select "Central Avenue Project Updates."
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Tableside Tunes in Downtown Wilmette Friday and Saturday Nights
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| Lonesome Rodeo |
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Come dine outdoors in downtown Wilmette tonight (Friday, July 31) and tomorrow night (
Saturday, Aug. 1) f
rom 6 to 8 p.m. and listen to some great musical artists!
Friday, July 31: Lonesome Rodeo (Wilmette's own Chris Karabas and fiddle player Emma Smoler) will bring their heartland style to downtown diners.
Saturday, Aug. 1:
Dewdropper: Jazz ensemble comprised of New Trier students.
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Dewdropper
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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.
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Traffic Alert - Lake Avenue Closure Tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 1)
Lake Avenue between Skokie Boulevard and Hibbard Road will be closed to all traffic this Saturday, Aug. 1 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. as the Village's contractor works on watermain replacement on Lake Avenue. A detour route will be posted directing drivers to use Hibbard Road and Skokie Boulevard to bypass the closed section of Lake Avenue. Delays are expected so please plan accordingly and allow more time to travel or use alternate routes if possible. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Questions about this work can be directed to Resident Engineer Tracy Wais at (847) 878-0501 or [email protected]. Question about the project in general can also be directed to Village Engineer Dan Manis at (847) 853-7602 or [email protected].
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Enter for a chance to win a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport!
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The Annual Housing Our Own-Wilmette Jeep Raffle is One Month Away!
Housing Our Own-Wilmette
is selling raffle tickets for its annual fundraiser. The organization
provides financial assistance to low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Housing Our Own-Wilmette is 100% funded through private donations and relies on the generous support of the community.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to helping Wilmette residents stay in their homes.
Show your support and enter for a chance to win a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
Visit the raffle page
to purchase tickets in advance of the Aug. 31 drawing!
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Now that's what we call #WilmetteStrong! Shop local to help Wilmette businesses thrive - and show them some virtual love! Snap a photo at a local business, share on social media, tag the business and use #Wilmetteonomics!
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We've Passed Our Census Response Target - Great Job, Wilmette!
Wilmette residents have helped the Village hit - and surpass! - our 2020 census response target of 82.8%! We're currently at
83.1%, and the remaining 17% is critical to receiving resources and political representation that accurately reflects our population. If you haven't already, you can still complete your census online, by phone or by mail - visit
2020census.gov to get started. Census workers will begin visiting homes that have not responded in August.
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Neighborhood Storage Project Construction Update
Community Playfield:
The contractor is scheduled to work Saturday, Aug. 1 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Special approval has been granted for the contractor to begin work one hour earlier than the Saturday hours published in the Village Code. We thank you for your understanding in this matter.
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Highlights from this week:
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Phase 1A: Sewer work |
Phase 1A Highlights - Storm Sewer and Watermain Improvements (Read the full
construction update here)
- For the watermain improvement work on Lake Avenue, crews continued digging trenches to locate existing utilities. Crews also continued directional boring - a low-impact method of installing underground pipes - and installed the watermain across Lake Avenue. Next week, crews will flush and test the new watermain and begin watermain installation on the north side of the Hibbard Road and Lake Avenue intersection.
- Traffic impacts:
- The Lake Avenue eastbound right lane will be closed from west of Skokie Boulevard to Hibbard Road.
- Skokie Boulevard southbound and northbound right lanes will be closed at Lake Avenue.
- The north side of Hibbard Road will be closed and a detour will be in effect for one week beginning Aug. 5.
Phase 1 Highlights (Read the full construction update here).
Community Playfield Improvements
- This week, crews completed drain tile installation and backfilling around the detention vault and installed sewer and watermain pipes. The team placed topsoil over the vault and will continue this work next week. Crews also continued restoring the Highcrest School parking lot and the bike path. Crews will continue parking lot restoration work next week, including curb and sidewalk replacement.
Note: The intersection of Illinois Road and Hunter Road will remain closed through mid-August.
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Phase 1: The stormwater storage vault is complete! Crews are connecting it to the sewer system and restoring the Highcrest School parking lot.
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Storm Sewer Improvements
- This week, crews completed replacement of asphalt driveway aprons along the Wilshire and Meadow Drives and placed the final layer of asphalt along the Wilshire Drives, Meadow Drives and Wilmette Avenue. Now that the major work is complete, crews will work on cleanup and tree pruning next week.
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Wilmette Events & Happenings
Aug. 11 - Transportation Commission Meeting
The Transportation Commission will meet remotely on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. to review the Master Bike and Active Transportation Plan. The meeting will be broadcast live on the Village's YouTube channel 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.
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