E-News
PALOS PARK WEEKLY | October 16, 2020
Jesse White announced expired Driver's Licenses and ID Cards will be extended until February 1, 2021. License plate stickers remain extended until November 1, 2020. Visit The Illinois Secretary of State for more information.
The Plan Commission Meeting originally scheduled for October 15, 2020 has been rescheduled to November 5, 2020 at 7:00 pm.

Early Voting

Early Voting in our area begins Monday, October 19. Scroll down for locations and times closest to Palos Park, and click the graph for additional information and locations.
Thank you to the Village of Palos Park business community for providing exceptional goods and services! As we make our way into the holiday season, please remember to "Shop The Park" and support local businesses.

For a full listing of all businesses located within Palos Park visit our business directory.
Daylight Savings is Sunday, November 1, 2020
Turn Clocks Back 1 Hour
Ethical Policing is Courageous (EPIC)

Palos Park police officers will undergo training on policing with integrity. The training reinforces what moral courage looks like, with officers taught how to react with one another on calls and intervene when needed. 
 
The program, “Ethical Policing is Courageous,” works to stimulate moral courage and a spirit of professionalism and help officers understand that individual moral courage is inextricably related to the organizations and cultures in which individuals function. "Stepping in," is the main takeaway behind the training model's philosophy.
 
Police Chief Joe Miller said, “EPIC encourages officers to have the courage to see it and recognize it, but also to step up and do something about it." Those long in the career may reflect back on a call or incident that in hindsight they wish they had stepped in earlier. Miller noted the end goal of the program is to sustain the commitment and capacity to do what is right, despite fear or concern about social pressure or peer disapproval from other officers.
 
Police Commissioner Dan Polk said, "the training is not offered because officers have done wrong, but rather, it is intended to build on strengths and to assure that officers continue to act in ways that serve members of our community, and all they interact with."
 
“Ethical Policing is Courageous” simply focuses on making sure that an officer has that strong foundation, so they have the confidence to make those decisions when they are out on the street.


Metra Southwest
Service Line

Metra trains are currently operating on an alternate weekday and weekend schedule due to COVID-19. Weekday trains are limited and there is currently no weekend service on the Southwest Service Line. Click the schedule for more details.
Public Works Reminders
The FINAL chipper service for 2020 will begin on November 2. The Chipper will start on the West side of the Village and work its way East until all public streets have been serviced. Please have chipping materials placed on the ROW by 7:00 am on Monday, November 2.

All of the branch chipping regulations are available online. Please call (708) 671-3721 with any questions.


Woodchips Available

During the last chipping week, woodchips will be available for delivery. One truck load is 8 yards of mixed (whatever type of branches are on the street) woodchips. Please call (708) 671-3721 and leave your name, phone number where you can be reached during the day, your address, and if you would like to receive one or two loads of woodchips.

Yard Waste

Yard waste pickup ends November 28. Yard waste will be picked up along with your regular garbage until the week of Thanksgiving. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday garbage and yard waste pickup will be delayed by one day. Regular Thursday service will be picked up on Friday and regular Friday service will be picked up on Saturday.
The State of Illinois is sponsoring a community Drive-Thru
COVID-19 test site in our area.

5500-5550 East Avenue (old City Hall)
Countryside, IL 60525

Dates: Saturday, October 17 & Sunday, October 18
Testing Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Simple nasal swabs will be used.
You will be called with results within 4-7 days.
No cost for testing.
Bring your insurance card, but you can still be treated if you don't have insurance.

Anyone can be tested; you don't have to have symptoms or be sick. Visit dph.illinois.gov/covid19.
Key Dates for the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election
October 18: Last Day to Register to Vote by Online Application
October 19: First Day of Early Voting
October 29: Last Day to Request a Mail Ballot

November 2: Last Day of Early Voting
November 3: Last Day Mail Ballots can be Postmarked or Dropped Off in a Secure Mail Ballot Drop Box
November 3: Election Day

Click here for more details.
Halloween Guidance

Because some of the traditional ways to celebrate Halloween do not allow for proper social distancing, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is providing the following guidance to allow for safe Halloween celebrations. Click for a full description of recommendations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers additional guidance.

Here are some Village guidelines to consider for your upcoming Halloween plans:

  • The three most important steps to reduce the spread of the virus are cloth masks (covering the nose and mouth), social distancing, and hand washing. All three should continue to be practiced when trick-or-treating, by both the "tricker" and the "treater."

  • Children who harbor the virus generally have larger viral loads than adults (even if asymptomatic) so reduce exposure to older adults or those with medical risk factors. Porch lights may be off for a reason, so please be aware as you are out.

  • While outdoor activities generally lessen the effective transmission of the virus, indoor activities, especially involving large groups, are known to increase viral exposure.

  • Children should travel in small groups, preferably less than 6, refrain from lingering on porches or paths, and be accompanied by an adult who can remind them to wear their cloth masks and sanitize between touches.

  • While the Village of Palos Park has traditionally not set hours for trick-or-treating, please be aware that sunset on October 31 is at 5:45 pm.
Secure Dropboxes for Cook County Mail Ballots

Secure dropboxes will be located at over 50 early voting sites spread throughout Cook County where voters can drop off their completed mail ballots from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends. Locations closest to Palos Park include Palos Heights Recreation Center and Orland Township.

As a reminder to voters who have already requested a mail in ballot, a letter was mistakenly sent out stating some voters hadn't requested a ballot even though they had. If you have requested a mail in ballot from the Cook County Clerk, there is no need for further action. Ballots began to get mailed out on September 24.

Click here for all dropbox locations. To apply online for a mail ballot visit cookcountyclerkil.gov/VoteByMail
For the most current voter information visit:
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT