Lake Bluff Letter - October 30, 2020

Lake Bluff Letter

Halloween

We encourage residents to stay home or limit their Halloween plans this year due to the evolving COVID-19 situation. However, the Village's Halloween guidelines have not changed for tomorrow evening. Remember to drive slowly and watch for small children tomorrow night. There will be no hot dog roast at the Public Safety Building this year.

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions continue to rise in our area. New mitigations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are effective starting at midnight tonight. Notably, bars and restaurants must stop indoor seating and social gatherings are limited to no more than 25 people. Under the Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan, the earliest these mitigations will be re-evaluated by the State is November 14.

Please, support our local restaurants during this challenging time.

While bars and restaurants play a role in the transmission of COVID-19, state data shows that social gatherings - even small ones - are a leading contributor to transmission. If you must attend a gathering, do so outdoors and use a mask consistently.

COVID-19 cases continue to increase in our region and our county and COVID-19 will likely be prevalent through the holiday season. Carefully consider your holiday travel plans; we know that travel increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. The CDC has more information available here.

Voter Information

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Village Hall is not a polling place and will remain open for business.

Did you return a mail ballot already? You can track your mail ballot.
Do you still have your mail ballot? You can surrender it when you vote in person at a polling place; mail it with a postmark on or before Election Day; or deposit it postage-free in a ballot drop box (PDF list, interactive map).
Do you want to vote early in-person? You can view a list of early polling places and estimated wait times here.
Are you voting on election day? You can view your assigned polling place and a sample ballot here.
Are you not registered to vote? You can register to vote up to and including election day ("Grace period registration").

The Lake County Clerk's office is the authority responsible for elections in our area.
This information is provided only as a courtesy to Lake Bluff residents.

Village and Community Updates

C'MON, HAND IT OVER. Lake Bluff Farmers Market vendors will operate a pickup and delivery point in the Train Station Parking Lot starting next Friday, 9 to 10 a.m. Click here for information about participating vendors and how to pre-order.

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE. Lake Bluff has partnered with six other North Shore suburbs to create Illinois' largest municipally sponsored community solar program. Community solar allows residents and small businesses to subscribe and save 20% on their electricity supply charges through bill credits while supporting renewable energy development. For more information, visit lakebluff.org/CommunitySolar.

THE LAKE BLUFF GARDEN CLUB has brought the holiday spirit to the Village for over 50 years. On November 14th, club members will create and install festive seasonal arrangements for over 40 village sidewalk planters. On November 17th, club members will prep and cut garland for all Lake Bluff lampposts and signs.

Board and Committee Actions

For more information, visit the Village's meeting packets and videos page. Agendas and meeting materials are typically available the Friday before a meeting; videos within a week after the meeting; and minutes after they are approved at the next meeting of the public body. Not all meetings are recorded on video. Due to the COVID-19 emergency, meetings are primarily virtual. Click here for details on the format and how to participate.

Recent Finance Committee Meeting (Monday, October 26, 6 p.m.). The Finance Committee recommended that the Village Board:

Not increase the Village's property tax extension (the amount received) from last year.
Expand eligible expenses for the Village's local stimulus business grant program.

Recent Village Board Meeting (Monday, October 26, 7 p.m.). The Village Board:

Remanded the Historic Preservation Commission's proposed amendments to the Village's historic preservation regulations to the Commission to allow additional public input.
Extended the Village's declaration of emergency.
Authorized Prairie Espresso to add two tables for outdoor dining on the public sidewalk in front of 79 E. Scranton Ave.
Authorized use of the Train Station parking lot for winter order pickup by Farmers Market vendors.
Gave first reading approval to:
- Modify ambulance fees.
- Prohibit parking on the south side of East Woodland Road for 100 feet east of Sheridan Road.

Upcoming Architectural Board of Review Meeting (Rescheduled to Wednesday, November 4, 7 p.m.). The ABR will conduct site plan review for:

A dumpster enclosure at 303-305 Waukegan Road.
A fence at 702-706 Oak Avenue.

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Email: vlb@lakebluff.org • Web: lakebluff.org • Phone: (847) 234-0774
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
40 E. Center Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044