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Village of Wilmette E-news
Enews
Oct. 23, 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 Meetings Next Week 

Oct. 27 - Village Board Meeting 
The Village Board will hold its second meeting of the month on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams and broadcast live on the Village's YouTube channel and Channel 6. Agenda includes:
The public may participate/comment during the meeting via Microsoft Teams on your PC or mobile device, or comment via YouTube Chat. Comments can also be submitted in advance by emailing publiccomment@wilmette.com. Emailed comments will no longer be read aloud. Emailed comments submitted two hours before the meeting will be included in the meeting packet, and emailed comments submitted after that time will be included in the draft meeting minutes.

Oct. 28 - Budget Workshop 
The 2021 Proposed Operating Budget is now available for you to review. You're invited to tune in to the Village Board's virtual budget workshop on Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. when Trustees will review and discuss the spending plan and accept public comments. The annual budget is the most important guiding document the Village produces each year and developing the budget is an all-encompassing process that involves feedback from residents, business owners and community stakeholders. The Board is expected to adopt the final budget at its Nov. 24 meeting.
COVID-19 Update: Infection Rates Rise Across Illinois

COVID-19 infections continue to rise in Illinois, with the state averaging more than 4,000 new cases per day over the past week. Suburban Cook County (Region 10) continues to see increases in test positivity and hospital admissions metric levels. As of Oct. 19 (most recent available data), Suburban Cook County's seven-day rolling average for test positivity is 7.2%, just below the 8% threshold that could trigger additional restrictions.

It is more important than ever that everyone take personal responsibility to slow the spread of the virus. Preventative actions will save lives and help keep our businesses and schools open. Remember to wear you mask, wash your hands, watch your distance. 

We've turned this trend around before and can do it again!

COVID-19 in Wilmette: 
  • As of Oct. 22, Wilmette's seven-day rolling average of confirmed daily cases is 3 new cases per day. To date, Wilmette has had 401 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 21 new cases reported since Oct. 15.
  • The Village's seven-day rolling average for test positivity (percentage of those tested who test positive for COVID-19) is at 2.5%.
  • Overall, there have been 10,850 tests for Wilmette, with 849 new tests since Oct. 15.
Election 2020: Wilmette Cannabis Referendum and Voting Information

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.
Voting Information
Whether you plan to vote early, vote on Election Day (Nov. 3) or vote by mail, here's what you need to know:

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. 19 - 23: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Oct. 24 - 25: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • 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.
Election Day (Nov. 3) Voting
Look up your polling place here.

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. 
Want to Use Your Skills to Shape the Future? Consider Serving on a Village Board or Commission!

The Village is eager to fill board and commission vacancies as soon as possible! Serving on a volunteer board or commission is a rewarding way to use your skills and expertise to make a real difference in our community! If getting involved with our local government and helping shape the future of Wilmette interests you, please click here to learn more and apply today!

But Don't Take Our Word For It...
Julie Wolf has served on Village  boards and commissions for more than 16 years.
Julie Wolf has served on Village volunteer boards and commissions in many capacities for more than 16 years! She served on the Appearance Review Commission, was elected as a Village Board Trustee and was most recently appointed to the Environmental and Energy Commission. Of her experiences, Julie says:

"I've really enjoyed serving on several of Wilmette's boards and commissions. I've found it very interesting to work on various projects within the Village with my fellow commissioners and the Village staff, using my skills and adding to my own knowledge of the community. It also is a great feeling to be able to contribute to making Wilmette a great place to live. In the words of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 'One lives not just for oneself but for one's community.'" 

Wilmette Historical Museum Virtual Lecture - Luxembourgers in Chicago: From North Avenue to Wilmette

Mark your calendar! The Wilmette Historical Museum is hosting its second virtual lecture of the season on Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. Did you know that during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chicago and Cook County were home to the largest number of Luxembourg immigrants in America? Presenter Kevin Wester, who was born and raised in the Luxembourg settlement of Belgium, Wisconsin and was Executive Director of the Luxembourg American Cultural Society, will give a board overview of this fascinating aspect of our local history.

Tickets are free but advance registration is required. Learn more and register.
Green Tip: Mulching Leaves

It may look slightly messy, but mulching leaves has many benefits for the ecosystems in your yard! Insects spend the winter in leaf litter, plant stems or underground. Leaves in the yard will insulate them through the winter. If you have native plants such as goldenrod or coneflower, leave the stems standing for insects that use as a winter home. Mow over thin layers of leaf litter on your grass to mulch it. This will provide nutrients to the soil. If you have a lot of leaves, rake them onto plant beds and under shrubs instead of carting them away. 
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
  • Phase 2: Hibbard Park stormwater storage vault
    • If you were not able to attend the online public meeting for the Neighborhood Storage Project at Hibbard Park on Sept. 30, you can watch the recoding at your convenience on the project website.
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: 
  • 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. 27 - 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

Oct. 28 - Wilmette Fire Department Blood Drive
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1304 Lake Ave. (Bloodmobile). Donors will receive free COVID-19 antibody testing with a successful donation. Appointments are required and donors must wear face coverings. Call 877-258-4825 or visit vitalant.org and use group code 132D.

Oct. 28 - 2021 Budget Workshop
Join the Village Board for a virtual budget workshop 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. View the 2021 Proposed Budget here.

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.