News Flash

April 9, 2020 Letter from the Mayor:

Dear Residents and Business Owners,

The City of Yorkville is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation.  Per Governor’s Pritzker’s order we are “sheltering in place” in order to flatten the curve. However, we are making every effort to continue to provide our services as expected.

Our Parks and Recreation staff have put together some fun spring-time activities for all to participate in:

1. EASTER BUNNY SIGHTING AT BEECHER PARK: Have you heard? The Easter Bunny is going to be at Beecher Community Park TODAY, April 9^th from 10:00am-Noon! Drive on by and wave hi! This is a FREE and fun event for everyone! To see the Easter Bunny, cars should enter through the Yorkville Library entrance (902 Game Farm Road, Yorkville) and then slowly proceed north through the parking lot to the Beecher Community Building exiting back onto Game Farm Road. All visitors are asked to stay in their vehicles as the Bunny is practicing social distancing guidelines.

2. A HOPPY EASTER SURPRISE: Get your family hopping in excitement this Easter! The Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department is offering a chance for the Easter Bunny to surprise your family with an egg hunt and sighting in your very own front yard! Hunts will take place from April 13-14 and are $15 per household! Egg Hunts will include 20 eggs and due to social distance guidelines, all bunny interactions must be through the door or window. Visits are limited, so reserve your visit today at www.yorkville.il.us/HomeEggHunt!

Please note: You will register for the day you want us to visit and a time range will be emailed to you once a route for the day is confirmed. Please include the cell phone number staff can update you the day of the event on the specific timing of your visit. You can request a specific time; however, it will not be guaranteed as times will be dependent on house location and route. Households must have a Yorkville mailing address to participate. 

3. YORKVILLE’S GREAT EGG-SCAPE: Friday, April 10^th through Sunday, April 19^th businesses throughout Yorkville are invited to take part in a Virtual Easter Egg Hunt. A list of participating businesses will be shared with the public. “Egg-Scapers” will post photos of eggs they find on storefront doorsteps or windows and be entered to win a $25 gift card to one of the participating businesses. Business Registration Information (FREE) - contact membernews@yorkvillechamber.org.  Must place a large decorative Easter Egg at entrance or in window (in view from vehicles). The public will be invited to hunt for eggs (from their vehicles) and take photos to post on social media. Both open and closed businesses may participate. Eggs may be plastic, paper, or your material of choice. Creativity is encouraged!

Together we stand, united, during this difficult time to support what makes Yorkville the community we call home.  In Yorkville, we appreciate our amazing and unique local businesses, we look after our loving neighbors and respect our first responders working hard to ensure our safety.  Yorkville is a strong community that is even stronger when we are united. #UnitedYorkville

John Purcell, Mayor

March 30, 2020 Letter from the Mayor:

Dear Residents and Business Owners,

The City of Yorkville is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation.  Per Governor’s Pritzker’s order we are “sheltering in place” in order to flatten the curve. 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 (www.yorkville.il.us, call us or email a staff member your questions. 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. City employees can be reached via email, staff directory located here: https://www.yorkville.il.us/directory.aspx.  We are here for you.

Understanding the importance of the physical and mental health of Yorkville residents, all City parks outdoor recreation areas and trails will remain open. We ask all residents to follow the Governor’s Executive Order and recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and when visiting a City park open area or trail not to congregate in groups, wash your hands regularly, and stay home if you are ill. Please note that staff may not be able to maintain parks and trails during this period. The City does not sanitize any park amenity, so we encourage those using the park to bring their own hand sanitizer and to observe safe social distancing measures.

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. A friendly reminder to visit the Yorkville Connect business Facebook page and Yorkville To Go restaurant Facebook page.  The Chamber has also set-up a COVID-19 Resource Page on their website: https://www.yorkvillechamber.org/blog/covid-19-resource-page/.  There you will find State and Local information as it relates to business assistance.  Just yesterday, the Governor announced COVID-19 emergency small business assistance initiatives. You can find detailed information on that and more on the resource page listed above.

We need and appreciate the cooperation of everyone who lives and works in the City of Yorkville to act immediately by staying at home, remaining calm, and staying in touch with one another remotely.

John Purcell, Mayor

March 30, 2020 Mayor’s Letter (PDF)

March 23, 2020 Letter from the Mayor:

Dear Residents and Business Owners,

The COVID-19 virus has changed our lives in many ways. Our conversations, our shopping habits, our gatherings, and our thoughts are now centered around health precautions.

Our continued desire is to provide residents the city-services that are expected and that they are used to having. The city website has current information, phone numbers, and communication notices from the city, county, state, and national leaders. It would be advisable to check it often.

Our current plans are to hold meetings of our City Council, as usual, in our Council Chambers. We will be inviting public participation through “virtual attendance”.  We are working on a platform and will get that information out to the public soon.

It is humbling to see all the kindness displayed through this troubling time. We are an exceptional community. We will all come through this together. 

John Purcell, Mayor

March 23, 2020 Mayor’s Letter (PDF)

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:

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