April 16, 2020 Update from the Mayor

Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced 1,140 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois. Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 25,733 cases, including 1,072 deaths, in 90 counties in Illinois.
We now have 32 confirmed COVID cases in Hickory Hills.

Governor JB Pritzker and six other governors announced they have joined together in creating a regional coordination plan to eventually reopen the economy in the Midwest (Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana and Kentucky). Leaders in those states will work in close coordination utilizing a fact-based, data-driven approach to protect families from the spread of COVID-19 while reopening the economy. The governors stated that they would use four factors when determining when best to reopen. Those factors are:

1. Sustained control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations
2. Enhanced ability to test and trace
3. Sufficient health care capacity to handle resurgence
4. Best practices for social distancing in the workplace

Support Our Local Food Pantry

So many kind people have reached out to the city about wanting to donate money or food to help our fellow neighbors in need. We all want to provide as much support as possible, but it is important to do so in an intelligent, efficient manner. Rather than create a temporary food assistance program, we feel that it is far more important to support the well-respected Elsie’s Food Pantry located at 10040 S. 88th Avenue in Palos Hills. Elsie’s has long served those in need in Hickory Hills and the greater Palos region. Currently, the pantry is open for drive through pickup on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Those needing food in these difficult times need only drive up and a pre-packaged box of food will be placed in the trunk of your car (no personal contact).

The Director of Elsie’s Food Pantry told me that the pantry receives food donations from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, but that food demand has been high so the pantry has needed to purchase more food in local grocery stores to keep up with demand. The Director told me that while food donations are appreciated, the greatest benefit would be for a direct monetary donation to Elsie’s Food Pantry. This way, Elsie’s staff can purchase the exact type of food that they need for that particular week. Monetary donations are used directly for the purchase of food alone. If you are able, I would encourage you to make a monetary donation to Elsie’s Food Pantry and simply drop the donation off in the drop box at Hickory Hills City Hall. Clerk Catizone or a member of her staff will drop off all checks directly with the Director of Elsie’s Food Pantry.

Finally, while Elsie’s Food Pantry is housed at the Savior Divine Lutheran Church, the food pantry is there to serve needy area residents regardless of religious affiliation. In addition, the pantry provides food for dogs and cats.

Chamber Fundraiser

Continuing on the theme of how you might be able to help our local community, our local chamber of commerce, known as the Hills Chamber, is having a T-Shirt/Hoodie sale to benefit our local chamber organization who in turn assists many of our local businesses. The shirt and hoodie says “Hickory Hills STRONG”. The back of the shirt and hoodie list all of the 2020 chamber members … all 106 of them. For ease of ordering simply visit the website at www.thehillschamber.org; click order shirts here tab; and then click “go” next to the Hill Chamber of Commerce online store.

Joseph’s Machines…Saw this guy on WGN Morning News the other day

The below has 75 million views and counting

For me each day of the Stay at Home feels like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. Since it looks like we may be social distancing for the foreseeable future, the one silver lining is that we will be saved from awkward encounters like this:

It is almost the weekend!

Mayor Mike