E-Newsletter: December 4, 2020
2,351 cases reported in Elmhurst as of 12/2/20.
The State of Illinois is currently under Tier 3 COVID-19 Resurgence Mitigations.

Protecting Yourself from COVID-19
To help reduce mitigation measures, the spread of COVID-19 must decrease. Please do your part to stop the spread and protect your community by remembering to:
  • Maintain a 6 foot social distance minimum.
  • Wear a face mask when in public. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Clean and sanitize commonly used surfaces.
  • Quarantine for 14 days if returning from a COVID-19 hotspot.
  • Avoid group gatherings.
  • Stay home when you are sick or experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
  • Get tested https://www.dupagehealth.org/601/COVID-19-Testing.
  • Avoid contact with others that are sick or experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Holiday Safety Reminders During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Since COVID-19 has impacted our society, we have missed out on many community and family traditions. Fall and winter celebrations typically include large gatherings of families and friends, crowded parties, and travel that may put people at increased risk for COVID-19. We understand that this year, holiday gatherings may not be what anyone had hoped for, however we are asking our community members to take the safety precautions necessary to protect themselves, their friends, family and our community from COVID-19. Before you celebrate, please consider this Holiday Season Safety information provided by IDPH.

Mental Health
The COVID-19 pandemic may be stressful for people. The fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. However, these actions are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. 

Knowing the facts about COVID-19 and stopping the spread of rumors can help reduce stress and stigma. Understanding the risk to yourself and people you care about can help you connect with others and make an outbreak less stressful.

Mental health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It may also affect how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices during an emergency. People with pre-existing mental health conditions or substance use disorders may be particularly vulnerable in an emergency. Mental health conditions (such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia) affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior in a way that influences their ability to relate to others and function each day. These conditions may be situational (short-term) or long-lasting (chronic). People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. If you think you have new or worse symptoms, call your healthcare provider.

Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row. Free and confidential resources can also help you or a loved one connect with a skilled, trained counselor in your area. Get immediate help in a crisis by calling 911. Please visit cdc.gov for more information on how to cope with anxiety and depression and resources for help. Local resources include the Illinois Department of Human Services line (800) 843-6154 or DuPage County Mental Health Center (630) 627-1700.

Wellness Checks
Now more than ever, it is important for our community to look out for each other. If you see suspicious activity or are concerned about your neighbor's wellbeing, please contact the Elmhurst Police Department by calling 9-1-1 for an immediate response. Non-emergency information may be provided at (630) 530-3050 or email policeinfo@elmhurst.org. 

COVID-19 Testing Site Dec 20th
Illiinois Mobile COVID-19 in cooperation with City of Elmhurst, District 205 and theVillage of Bensenville will be hosting a one day testing site at Churchville Middle School, 155 Victory Pkwy. The testing site is open to anyone wishing to have a test regardless of symptoms and is free of charge. The site will be open from 8am - 4pm. Details...
Santa and his holiday friends are coming to your neighborhood on Thursday, December 17th from 4-5:30 pm. (Friday, December 18th rain date)
 
He has asked to use city vehicles to bring you the joy of the holiday season safely and close to your home. 
 
Elmhurst Loves Local Contest! 
Put your money where your heart is this holiday season! 
Kicking off on Small Business Saturday, this virtual contest encourages individuals to support all Elmhurst businesses. How do you participate? Take a photo showing how you or a family member are loving local by supporting Elmhurst businesses. Photos are then emailed to econdev@elmhurst.org by 10:00 p.m. that night for a chance to win a daily prize. Contest runs daily from November 28th – December 21st. Participants can enter new pictures every day for a chance to win one of two daily prizes - a $50 gift card to the Elmhurst small business retailer, entertainment venue, service provider, or restaurant/bar of their choice. More info...
The Elmhurst Fire Department has organized a toy drive to benefit children at Elmhurst Hospital this holiday season. New, unwrapped toys for children of all ages will be collected at Fire Station #1, 404 N. York Street, Fire Station #2, 601 S. York Street, and City Hall 209 N. York St. Toys will be accepted now through December 10th. For more information about the toy collection, please call 630-530-3090.
Help kids, teens, and adults stay warm this winter by donating gloves, mittens, scarves and socks to our Mitten Tree. Fasten your donations on the Christmas tree in the center foyer of City Hall (209 N. York St.). Clothes pins are in the basket at the Fire Department Administration counter. Mittens, socks, scarves and gloves will be distributed by Yorkfield Food Pantry in Elmhurst.The Mitten tree will accept donations until December 31st.
The Elmhurst Police Department is once again proud to be an official “Toys for Tots” drop-off location. We invite participants who would like to donate a gift to visit our lobby (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) from now through December 6th.
Toys for Tots accepts new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls from infants to age 12. Toys for Tots cannot accept food, clothing, or realistic-looking toy weapons, and unpackaged stuffed animals and gift cards are discouraged. Please contact the Elmhurst Police at (630) 530-3050 with any questions.


The City of Elmhurst’s Commission on Youth is currently seeking nominees for its 2020 Youth of the Year Award. Eligbility requirements include:
  • Volunteer must be an Elmhurst resident (Elmhurst address), live within School District 205 boundaries, or attend an Elmhurst school.
  • Volunteer must be elementary school age through senior in high school.
  • The award is focused on individual achievement.
  • The service must be voluntary and unpaid.
  • The service must have occurred between March 13, 2020, and the present.
  • The service must be COVID-19 related.
For more information, visit elmhurst.org. Deadline for submissions is February 1, 2020.
The Elmhurst Fire Department's fire 
safety program is taught throughout 
the school year to approximately 
700 Elmhurst 4th grade students in 
all District 205, private and parochial 
schools. Topics covered during the 
program include the fire triangle, 
fire classifications, hazards found in 
the home, home escape planning 
and burn prevention. Each year, 
the "Learn Not to Burn" poster 
contest is held where students submit their drawings. Congratulations to this year's winner Katherine from Immaculate Conception School! Her award winning drawing themed, "First Run! Then dial 911" took 1st place!
Those seeking to run for local political office at the April 6th, 2021 Consolidated Election may pickup candidate packets at City Hall’s Administration Office (second floor). Eight (8) Aldermanic seats one (1) for each of the seven (7) Wards and two (2) in the 1st Ward, Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer are up for election. Candidate filing will take place Monday, December 14th, 2020 thru Monday, December 21st, 2020, at the Administration Office (second floor) in City Hall, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. For more details, please visit elmhurst.org. 
Recycle holiday lights at Courts Plus (186 S. West Avenue), Elmhurst Park District Admin Office (375 W First St.), Wagner Community Center (615 N. West Ave.), The Abbey (407 W Saint Charles Rd), or City Hall (209 N. York St.) thru Monday, January 25.
The Elmhurst 2021 Restaurant Guide is available online with updated restaurant information - please support our local restaurants with delivery or takeout - Choose to Eat Local!
DU-COMM is accepting applicant registrations from now until December 21, 2020 at 3 pm for Full-time entry level Telecommunicators. A career as a Telecommunicator might be right for you if:
  • You crave a fast-paced multi-tasking position that will test your skills and abilities.
  • You are looking for a rewarding career where you can help someone every day.
  • You are looking for an employer who provides stability, continuing training, challenges and opportunities.

Telecommunicator job duties include answering 9-1-1 telephones, transmitting vital information to emergency personnel via the radio, relaying information via the Computer-Aided Dispatch terminal, monitoring fire/burglar alarms, and answering administrative lines serving the police/fire personnel. Registration deadline is 12/21/20 @ 3PM.For more information visit https://www.ducomm.org/careers
City of Elmhurst
630-530-3000 
Weekdays: 8:30am - 5pm