Effective March 2, 2021 CCDPH also expanded indoor dining to 50% capacity or 50 people, whichever is less. Read the latest Phase 4 mitigation order here.

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is sharing energy efficiency and emergency assistance tips to help residents save money and energy during these difficult times. At their residential energy webpage, you can find content about several programs that can help you lower your utility bills. Rebates and grants are also available for qualified residents who make energy efficient upgrades to their homes in 2021.

ComEd is urging customers to take advantage of Millions in bill-assistance dollars. ComEd recognizes that a year after the start of COVID-19, many families are still dealing with continued financial challenges. Customers with past-due balances are urged to call the energy company so they can be connected to available financial assistance.

Read their full press release here or visit ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance.

ComEd is offering a free, week-long STEM Leadership Academy for young women in 10th and 11th grade interested in STEM. Applications for the summer 2021 Exelon Foundation STEM Leadership Academy are now open through April 25. Visit their website for more details or to apply.

On March 2 the Palos Park Police Department recognized "World Teen Mental Wellness Day." New CDC data reveals that almost one in five teens across the nation have seriously considered attempting suicide. Numbers can be higher for students identifying as female, black, or non-heterosexual.

In March 2016 the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) launched the One Mind Campaign in response to the growing number and frequency of interactions between police and individuals with mental illness and substance use disorder. In 2018 Mayor John Mahoney announced all Palos Park Police Officers would be certified in mental health first aid and trained as resource specialists who can provide immediate and effective response to calls involving a mental health crisis.

All Palos Park Police officers continue to be trained as Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officers to work with individuals who have a mental illness. The training prepares officers and offers insight for an officer outside of the typical field encounter and allows them to better understand the nuances of specific disorders.

The 42-year-old PLOWS Council on Aging has officially become Pathlights, a rebranding to help build more awareness for the options, or multiple paths, that older adults and their families can resource as they age.

If you or someone you know can benefit from Pathlights' services, call (708) 361-0219 or visit www.pathlights.org.

Thanks to a change in the law, property owners have two extra months to pay their First Installment Cook County property tax bills without a late fee, through May 3, 2021. Late fees will also be waived for two months for the Second Installment, due later this year.

According to Treasurer Maria Pappas, "While we hope for better days ahead, the pandemic continues to test us. This waiver of late fees offers some relief to the thousands of homeowners and business people who are struggling to pay their bills."

The Village of Palos Park provides the following options for residents and customers to contact us via email, or over the phone for most day-to-day services, inquiries, credit and debit payments. Payments may also be dropped at the drop boxes at the Kaptur Center and the Metra Station.

Contractor Registrations and building permit forms can be found on our website and can be emailed to permits@palospark.org.

Permits for our Public Works department can also be found online and emailed to publicworks@palospark.org.

Direct Debit forms are also available to have your utility bill directly debited from your bank account on the day your bill is due.

You can reach the Village Hall at (708) 671-3700. Please visit our website at www.palospark.org.

Our local merchants are here for you and your family. For a full listing of all Palos Park Businesses, visit our website.