March 26, 2020 Update from the Mayor
I hope this message finds you and your family healthy and safe. I would like to thank all of our residents who have followed the Governors Stay at Home order. It breaks our hearts that children cannot play at the park during this Stay at Home Order, but social distancing to prevent community spread is imperative even among our youth. Medical experts agree that our region is entering a very critical time period in this crisis. I do not enjoy writing messages in such stark terms, but the only opinions that should matter to us is the direction of public health officials who are trying to literally save tens of thousands of lives.
Even with the vast majority following the Stay at Home Order, Doctor Allison Arwadi, the Public Health Commissioner, said that the City of Chicago alone will likely have 22,000 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 in a month’s time. In addition, another 40,000 people will have tested positive and be required to be quarantined, but not hospitalized. The numbers outside of Chicago are projected to be roughly the same if nothing more is done to ensure people adhere to shelter in place and social distancing.
Our City truly cares about all of you so please reach out to City Hall at 708/598-4800 should you have any questions, concerns or need assistance. We have a list of volunteers who we trust that have offered to help seniors or shut ins with grocery pick up and errands. Call City Hall if you or someone you know could benefit from this assistance. Please be kind and check on your neighbors. They may not need assistance with errands, but receiving a call, e-mail or text from someone during these times can really make someone feel less isolated.
Mayor Mike
Below is some information that might be of interest.
Hickory Hills Restaurants Remain Open for Carry Out
These are hard times for all of us, but the restaurant business has been hit especially hard. In addition to some of our national chain restaurants with drive thrus, below are options in our town for ordering delicious carry out for pick up or delivery. Many are running great specials!!
Crispy Bitez | 8033 W. 87th Street | 907-5910 |
Denny’s | 7627 W. 95th Street | 599-8666 |
Highlander’s Grill | 7831 W. 95th Street | 430-9975 |
Jade Palace | 8625 W. 95th Street | 430-5076 |
Janosik Banquets | 9126 S. Roberts Road | 430-8888 |
Les Brothers | 7730 W. 95th Street | 233-0333 |
M&M Food and Beverage | 8031 W. 87th Street | 634-7316 |
Pepes | 8128 W. 95th Street | 430-0700 |
Pit Rib House | 9430 S. Roberts Road | 599-7576 |
Pita Land | 7831 W. 95th Street | 599-8054 |
Primetime | 7750 W. 95th Street | 599-2333 |
Sal’s Philly Steaks | 8609 W. 95th Street | 658-6137 |
Taqueria Don Tono | 8843 W. 87th Street | 233-1730 |
The Sock Bar & Grill | 9300 S. Roberts Road | 598-9300 |
Vito and Nicks | 9644 S. Roberts Road | 430-2800 |
Ward Mediterranean Grill | 9348 S. Roberts Road | 634-2727 |
Xando Café | 8729 95th St | 599-1205 |
TAX DAY DELAYED
A bit of good news. Both the federal and state government have delayed tax filings by three months from April 15 to July 15.
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
For those of you who own or work for a small business, please see the following link about the creation of new Emergency Small Business Assistance programs (information linked here) providing $90 million in loans and grants to small businesses throughout the state. These new programs will be available starting Friday, March 27.
STAY AT HOME ORDER CLARIFICATION
Today, the Governor’s Office has also updated their “Stay At Home” Order FAQ (available via this link) providing additional information and guidance, which is consistent with our document.
AT&T CUSTOMERS
This is not a pitch for AT&T, but there are many AT&T customers in the city so we wanted you to be aware of some measures that the company enacted to ease the financial burden.
Updated pledge to waive wireless overage fees
As of March 13, 2020, and for the next 60 days, we will waive domestic wireless plan overage charges for data, voice or text for residential or small business wireless customers incurred because of economic hardship related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The coronavirus pandemic is causing many hardships. If a customer finds themselves in financial trouble and unable to pay their bill, we’re here to help. Please have them contact us at 800-288-2020 for AT&T broadband, residential wireless or small business services and 611 from their AT&T device for wireless.
Download our consumer response one-pager.
VITAL RESOURCES FOR ORGANIZATIONS & BUSINESSES
- State Emergency Small Business Grants and Loan Assistance (DCEO)
- Hospitality Emergency Grant Program
- Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund
- Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program
- Illinois COVID Response Fund (for nonprofit/community organizations serving vulnerable populations)
- What is an Essential Business? (DCEO)
- Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program (IL Treasurer)
- COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits (IDES)
- Volunteer Opportunities (Serve Illinois)
- Donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Serve Illinois)
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Illinois Small Businesses
- Small Business Development Center Lookup
- Has your business been impacted? (DCEO)
- Illinois Manufacturing Association FAQ
- Facebook Grants for Small Businesses
- COVID-19 Implications for Commercial Leases
- COVID-19 Resources for Physicians
- Workplace Safety & COVID-19 (OSHA)
- Council for Development Finance Agencies Resources (CFDA)
- Guidance for Closed Restaurants and Bars
- US Chamber’s COVID-19 Toolkit
- US Government’s Response to COVID-19
- IL Government’s Response to COVID-19