City Council Update
Council met on Jan. 18. Here are highlights from action taken:
- Consent on the proposed 2022 Events Plan which includes Taste of Des Plaines, a 4th of July Parade and fireworks, an outdoor farmer’s market and other initiatives. Watch the presentation and stay tuned for updates!
- $136,500 awarded to the Frisbee Senior Center for senior services and programing, including the Meals on Wheels program and other health and support services.
- The planned presentation on Metropolitan Square was postponed to the next meeting.
Council will meet again on Monday, Feb. 7. The agenda will be posted here. Watch the meeting live.
COVID Updates
Des Plaines Vaccination Site to Re-Open
On Saturday, Cook County Department of Public Health will reopen its COVID-19 vaccination site at the old Kmart location at 1155 East Oakton St. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available to anyone age five and older. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred and prioritized. Visit vaccine.cookcountyil.gov to make an appointment and for more information.
What You Should Know about Pop-Up COVID-19 Testing Sites
COVID-19 testing sites are popping up across our area. Generally, these facilities are not licensed or regulated by any government agency. In Des Plaines, these businesses are required to get a permit to operate in the city. We review and approve requests based on our zoning rules that consider location, parking, access and other factors.
Additionally, the City is only issuing permits for facilities that meet certain standards, including reporting information to the State. We will close down facilities that have not received the proper permit.
The Illinois Attorney General has provided the following guidance to the public on pop-up COVID testing locations:
◼ Ask questions. A list of questions to ask the testing site (and the full press release) can be found here.
◼ Be cautious of places that want you to pay out of pocket--this is a red flag that the site may not be legitimate.
The Illinois Attorney General encourages residents to utilize state-sponsored testing sites or to contact your healthcare provider. Find a state-sponsored testing location near you by visiting the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) or the Cook County Department of Public Health.
 Register for Your Free COVID-19 Home Test
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Visit www.covidtests.gov.
Bridge Projects Get a Major Funding Boost
Mayor Goczkowski and other city officials, along with state and federal officials, gathered near a 93-year-old bridge on Rand Road over the river last week to announce historic federal funding that will be used to repair bridges in poor condition. Illinois will receive $1.4 billion over five years to repair bridges as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Funding from the infrastructure law will allow IDOT to repair or replace more bridges, including this one in Des Plaines, which is scheduled to begin later this year or next year. Watch video from the event.
On a related note, Des Plaines is working to build bridges. Specifically, an overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad between Mount Prospect Road and Wolf Road – removing that at-grade crossing to move traffic, reduce congestion and improve response times for emergency vehicles. We are in the first stages of the engineering study, which was approved by Council last fall. We will be looking to our federal partners for support to fund this very expensive project estimated at $35 million. Learn more: Proposed Algonquin Road Grade Separation | Des Plaines, IL
 Front row from left to right: Alderman Sean Oskerka (Ward 3), Mayor Goczkowski, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Alderwoman Patsy Smith (Ward 7), Congressman Mike Quigley, City Clerk Jessica Mastalski
Back row: Congressman Brad Schneider, State Senator Murphy, Alderman Artur Zadrozny (Ward 4), Bob Reiter, President, Chicago Federation of Labor.
Welcome to Buffalo Wild Wings Go!
City officials gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony last week to celebrate the opening of the Buffalo Wild Wings Go at 1387 Lee St. in Des Plaines.
 And a warm welcome to our other new businesses!
- At 7 Bar & Grill
- Grace's Tailor LLC
- 7 Eleven at 1585 Rand Road
- 7 Eleven at 2392 Wolf Road
- Trilab LLC
February Reminders
- 2/7 City Council Meeting 7 p.m.
- 2/21 President’s Day – City Offices Closed
- 2/22 City Council Meeting 7 p.m. (Tuesday Meeting)
Visit desplaines.org and check out our calendar to see what’s happening at the City and around town.
|
