April 28, 2021 Update from the Mayor

April 28, 2021 Update from the Mayor

COVID Update

On Tuesday, Illinois public health officials reported 2,556 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 23 additional deaths. Officials also said there were 81,152 doses of the vaccine administered Monday.

Meanwhile, Illinois officials also said Tuesday that nearly 1 in 3 people in the state has been fully vaccinated. The City of Hickory Hills now has 1,254 cumulative cases of COVID-19 and 22 related deaths.

Arbor Day Food Drive this Saturday, May 1

Due to the pandemic, we have changed our annual Arbor Day celebration to an event that celebrates our environment and helps those in need in our community.  Special thanks to Alderman Debbie Ferrero, Public Works Director Sue Lehr and the city’s Community Affairs Committee volunteers for their creativity in helping modify this event so that it can safely benefit the earth and people in need.  All food donations will be donated to the Elsie’s Food Pantry which serves local needy residents and families.  Please stop by Saturday morning to make a food donation if you are able. 

I also would like to thank our Hickory Hills Jewel-Osco who have been collecting food donations for the local food shelter.  See details for the event below and a photo of the donations near the checkout lanes at Jewel.

Hickory-Hills-Food-Drive

Local Road Construction Updates

Roberts Rd Update – Cook County continues with its Roberts Road reconstruction through our town.  This certainly has been in inconvenience for our residents and adjacent businesses, but the end result will be a dramatic improvement over pavement conditions prior to the work.  We anticipate that there will be another 2 months of construction and lane changes before the project is complete. 

Tollway Update – TheNorthbound tollway road and bridge reconstruction project is progressing. We can anticipate closures at 87th Street and Roberts Rd during demolition and reconstruction of the bridge. For the majority of the project they will maintain one through lane of traffic but there will be times detours are utilized for beam removal and erection. Message boards are on site and will preemptively notify motorists of a traffic pattern change. Roberts Park has also  been in close contact with the tollway authorities in regards to the construction. Activities will take place in both daytime and overnight hours. You may hear construction activities such as concrete breaking and back-up alarms. Residents near the project have been notified.  The tollway posts the daily lane closures on its website and the below link is a press release with a general overview. 20210414 – Northbound Counterflow Begins on Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Between 95th Street and the 83rd Street Toll Plaza (1).pdf

Return of Endangered Piping Plovers to Lakefront

Game of Chase

To our friends and neighbors celebrating Ramadan, I wish you a blessed remainder of the holiday.

Stay safe!

Mayor Mike