Village to Distribute Masks to Residents
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family healthy. The pandemic has presented many challenges for our community. The residents and businesses of Franklin Park have been remarkable in facing these challenges and finding innovative ways to support their neighbors. I want to say thank you to our first responders, healthcare professionals, grocery and pharmacy workers and mail carriers. Thank you to those who have delivered groceries and packages, made masks, produced birthday parades and offered friendly phone calls. You have helped maintain our caring, compassionate community and I am grateful.
Throughout this health crisis, protecting our residents and businesses has been the highest priority of our staff and this administration. The Governor’s Order mandates that all individuals wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth in public places and outdoors where you are unable to maintain a six-foot social distance. The Village wants to help ease that burden by offering free masks to residents who may not have enough for their household. The Village Board will distribute free face masks on Saturday, June 13 at a drive through distribution site at the west end of the Police Station, in the covered parking lot.
Residents who live south of the railroad tracks are invited to pick-up masks from 10 AM to Noon and residents that live north of the tracks can pick them up from Noon to 2 PM. Drivers, who should be wearing a face covering to interact with staff, will be allowed up to five masks per household. If you have questions, please call my office at 847-671-8236.
Watch for Changes at Village Hall
We will be carefully following the CDC’s public health guidelines and recommendations for safety in buildings when we reopen Village Hall to foot traffic later this summer. At that time, visitors will find several changes including a strict adherence to social distancing. You will also notice floor markings that will guide you when you are in the lobby. Since the number of people who are allowed inside Village Hall will be limited, you may need to wait outside. That area will also be marked off in compliance with social distancing. Masks or face coverings will always be required for staff and visitors. Hand sanitizer will be available at all counters.
I urge you to continue to use our online services and the payment drop box if possible. Maintaining social distancing for a little while longer will continue to help us slow the spread of the virus. When you do go out, please remember to support our local businesses and restaurants. A list of restaurants open for carry-out or delivery can be found on our website and you may soon see some restaurants opening for outdoor seating only.
Supporting Businesses to Reopen
Now that Illinois has moved to Phase 3 of the Governor’s Reopening Plan, the EPA recommends that building owners, building managers, and businesses take steps to flush the building’s plumbing system of stagnant water which can be unsafe or unusable. The Village’s website has useful information and guidance to help building owners address potential water quality issues prior to re-opening buildings. These measures will keep our community safe and allow businesses to begin normalizing their operations.
New Retention Ponds Reduced Flooding
After a record breaking 13.9 inches of rain on May 16, much of the industrial areas and residential sections of town that usually experienced flooding in the past remained dry this time. This is due to the addition of two new water retention ponds last year that support the Jack B Williams Reservoir and provide flood relief to the Silver Creek, Copenhagen and Westbrook areas of town and the Marconi subdivision.
Business Supports Our Community
Franklin Park based Travelon generously donated masks, latex gloves and sanitizer to be used by our firefighters and paramedics. Front-line emergency workers put themselves at risk everyday protecting our health and safety and Travelon went out of their way to help protect theirs. Thank you Travelon for being a great Franklin Park business.
Stay healthy and be well,