Wednesday, October 21, 2020

New Restrictions Begin Friday for DuPage County Due to COVID-19 Increase

A sustained increase in COVID-19 test positivity rates in our region has triggered additional restrictions for DuPage and Kane Counties beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Under the State’s Restore Illinois plan, additional restrictions are triggered if a region meets metrics representing a sustained increase in COVID-19 found within the Restore Illinois Mitigation Plan.

The additional restrictions that will begin on Friday, Oct. 23, include:

At restaurants/bars:

No indoor dining at restaurants and bars.
Reservations required for each party for outdoor dining.
No seating of multiple parties at one table.
No standing or congregating while waiting for an outdoor table.
Outdoor dining closes no later than 11:00 p.m.

For groups/gatherings:

Gatherings limited to the lesser of either 25 people or 25% overall room capacity for meetings/social events/gatherings

Carry-out orders, curbside pickup service, and outdoor dining (with reservations) are still allowed under the new restrictions.

You can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community by following the guidance of the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health with the three W’s:

Wear a mask.
Watch your distance from people outside your household.
Wash your hands frequently.

For additional resources on COVID-19, please visit www.wheaton.il.us/COVID-19.

Wheaton Police Investigating Incident Involving Jogger

The Wheaton Police Department is investigating a report of an incident that occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 20 in the area of Main Street and Geneva Road. At approximately 12:00 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, a woman reported that she was groped by a passing jogger. The suspect is described as a black male with short hair, medium build, appearing to be in his 30s, wearing a dark-colored jogging suit.

The police department is continuing to investigate. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has information that may be related to this incident is asked to call the Wheaton Police Department at 630-260-2161.

Wheaton Fire Department Responds to Structure Fire

At approximately 4:40 a.m. on Oct. 18, 2020, the Wheaton Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 1500 block of Gamon Road. Upon arrival, fire crews identified a heavily involved attached garage fire at a single-family home. The home was unoccupied and under renovation at the time of the fire. The fire did not result in any injuries, and there was no damage to adjoining properties.

For more details please visit the City’s website.

Wheaton Recycling Extravaganza is October 31

The City’s Recycling Extravaganza event will be happening in Wheaton from 8:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Taking place at Commuter Lot 9 (at Liberty Drive and Carlton Avenue), residents can bring a variety of materials to be reused or recycled to this drive-through event where volunteers will unload items to be safely disposed of at the event. Due to COVID-19, all participating residents are required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing at the event, and items are to be placed as far back in their trunks as possible for staff/volunteers to handle.

For more details about the event and a full list of recyclable items please visit the City’s website.

Make a Difference Day Virtual & In-Person Events Begin Tomorrow

Wheaton's Community Relations Commission is looking for your help to give back to the community for Make a Difference Day, which is October 24.

As part of the several events leading up to Make A Difference Day, the commission encourages the community to learn about the Student Excellence Foundation and how to help local neighbors in need through the Essential Needs Fund for Students and Families in Crisis. You can learn more about the Student Excellence Foundation’s program to provide District 200 students and families with food, clothing, and other essential needs during this critical timed by visiting their website. Other events this week include unloading food for neighbors in need at the People's Resource Center, and raking and weeding Adams Park. Due to COVID-19, pre-registration for these events was required and has since ended.

Although these specific events are no longer accepting registrations, there are many other ways you can make a difference in our community on Make A Difference Day and any other day!

To find out more about Make a Difference Day and its partnering organizations visit the City's website.

Illinois Restaurant Association Restaurant Employee Relief Grants

The Illinois Restaurant Association has opened the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, a program of the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. This program provides one-time grants of $500 to support restaurant employees facing an unforeseen hardship due to COVID-19. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.illinoisrestaurants.org/page/ReliefFundApplication.

To learn about the latest grants and resources available for the DuPage Business Community, please visit the DuPage County Business Toolkit at www.choosedupage.com.

Halloween Information & Guidance from Illinois Department of Public Health

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is providing guidance to help residents celebrate safely as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. While the IDPH advises that the safest way to celebrate is to stay home and plan virtual gatherings, if individuals decide to gather, the IDPH is issuing recommendations for safer ways to celebrate. Considerations include the three W's: wear a mask/face covering, watch your distance and wash your hands.

In addition, the City of Wheaton advises that it is up to each resident to decide whether you would like to engage in Halloween activities – including whether you allow trick-or-treaters to visit your home or not – and how you will do so. Trick-or-treating hours are from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. If you do not want trick-or-treaters to visit your home, hang a sign on your door indicating you are not participating and/or you can turn off your porch light. We are providing this sign to print out for your use, or you can pick up a copy at City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. We remind those who are participating in trick-or-treating not to approach homes or knock on doors of homes that have “no trick-or-treating here” signs or have exterior lights off. Please treat all neighbors with respect and courtesy.

DuPage County COVID-19 Testing Site

The DuPage County’s COVID-19 drive-through testing site in Wheaton is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to noon, or until 600 tests are completed each day. The drive-through test site is located at the DuPage County Complex for anyone to be tested for COVID-19. The COVID-19 test is free, and no appointment, doctor referral, or insurance is needed. The site is run by the DuPage County Health Department.

For more information on COVID-19 testing in DuPage County, visit www.dupagehealth.org/covid19testing.

City of Wheaton Videos

Upcoming Meetings

Bicycle Advisory Commission Virtual Meeting

Wednesday, October 21

7:00 p.m.

City Council Planning Session
Monday, October 26
7:00 p.m.

Fine & Cultural Arts Commission Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, October 27
6:00 p.m.

Planning & Zoning Board Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, October 27
7:00 p.m.

Environmental Improvement Commission In-Person / Virtual meeting
Tuesday, October 27
7:30 p.m.

Contact Us

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