March 23, 2020 Letter from the Mayor:
March 20, 2020 Update:
The City Offices are now closed to the public, per Governor Pritzker’s March 20th order. However, we are making every effort to continue to provide our services as expected. You may not be able to meet with staff in person, but feel free to use our website, call us, or email a staff member your questions. It is humbling to see all the kindness displayed throughout this troubling time. We are an exceptional community. We will all come through this together.
Phone inquiries can be made at 630-553-4350 (City Hall), 630-553-4370 (Public Works), 630-553-4357 (Parks and Recreation), 630-553-8545 (Building and Zoning) and 630-553-4340 (Police) during normal business hours. All of the City’s services are listed on the City website and all of the City employees can be reached via email, staff directory located here.We are here for you.
Here’s a list of some of the City services available without having to visit us in-person:
1. Water and sewer bills can be placed in the drop box in the City Hall parking lot or online .
2. Please submit all permit applications, surveys, and plans via e-mail: bzpermits@yorkville.il.us You will be contacted when your permit is approved via phone or e-mail. Payment can be made over the phone with a credit card by calling 630-553-8545. Upon payment, permits will be e-mailed to you.
3. Inspections can be scheduled over the phone (630-553-8545) or via e-mail (bzpermits@yorkville.il.us). All Inspections will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. All internal inspections for occupied residential homes shall be halted during this time. These inspections will be deferred to a later date.
4. Please be assured that our Police Department will remain staffed and ready to protect the community. Residents should not hesitate to call 911 if there is an emergency.
5. Parks & Recreation have suspended all programs until further notice. For our preschoolers, we have updated virtual activities posted daily on our Facebook page
6. The Parks are open to the public. Following the recommendations from the CDC, we are asking all patrons visiting our parks and playgrounds to keep group gatherings to under 10 people in order to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. When using a park or playground, please wash your hands regularly and stay at home if you are ill, as it not common practice to sanitize any park amenity (Playground, Benches, Tables and etc.).
7. The Mayor has ordered all solicitation to cease until further notice.
8. Continue to report all concerns via our request tracker on the website here.
On Friday, March 20, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced that the state of Illinois will be under a Stay at Home Order beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. Residents are required to stay at home, non-essential business operations must cease, and gatherings and most travel are prohibited. If you have questions about whether your work, travel, or other activities are considered essential and permitted under the Stay at Home Order, visit the State of Illinois’ Coronavirus website.
Read the state’s Frequently Asked Questions
Read the full text of the governor’s order
March 17, 2020 Letter from the Mayor:
Dear Residents and Business Owners,
The City of Yorkville has been tracking the COVID-19 updates from the CDC, and we are participating in the Governor’s weekly phone conference for municipal officials.
The spirit of cooperation has been very impressive. The response of local organizations and agencies is what we have seen through the years when challenges occur in our greater community. We ask everyone to please follow the CDC’s coronavirus health instructions by frequently washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and keeping a courteous social distance from those around you.
Effective immediately:
- The public is encouraged to complete applications and make payments online, via phone, or they may be dropped off in the deposit box located in the parking lot at City Hall.
- The Police Department will remain open and respond to emergencies.
- Employees and residents are encouraged to limit unnecessary social interaction.
- Please call to check on elderly neighbors or relatives who live alone.
We, along with the Yorkville Chamber of Commerce, encourage you to continue to support local businesses by utilizing curb-side pick-up, delivery or drive-thru where available. Here are some tips to help our local businesses during these difficult times:
- GIVE THE GIFT OF BUSINESS – If you typically frequent a business, buy a gift card that covers your usual patronage. Then spread out the use of the gift card over time. In addition, give one as a gift to someone that might not normally shop there.
- KEEP YOUR SUBSCRIPTION/MEMBERSHIP – Many small businesses rely on your support to keep their doors open. If you have a subscription or membership to a gym, exercise class, music lessons, dance academy, etc. – pay and keep them current. Your subscription could save a business.
- BUY NOW PICK UP LATER – If you planned on buying a manufactured product like a guitar, clothing, or specialized good – call instead and buy it, have them set it aside, and pick it up later. Shopping local businesses online is a great option as well.
We will continue to provide updates by email, on www.Yorkville.il.us and through our social media platforms as we monitor this rapidly changing situation. Thank you very much for your assistance. We’re all in this together, let’s help one another out.
John Purcell, Mayor
Mayor’s Letter (PDF)
FROM OUR PARTNERS AT THE KENDALL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
Kendall County Health Department COVID-19 Website
COVID19 is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Symptoms can include; fever, cough and shortness of breath. CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection. As a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday healthy behaviors to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60%alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- If you think you have been exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, you may face some limitations on your movement and activity. Please follow instructions during this time. Your cooperation is integral to the ongoing public health response to try to slow the spread of this virus. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, and tell them about your symptoms and your travel or exposure to a COVID-19 patient.
- Also, it’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine, taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.
- Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE real-time map