February E-News from the City of Elmhurst
Dear Subscriber,

Thank you for subscribing to our weekly E-Newsletter. Here you will find some highlights on events and activities from the City.
STATE OF OUR CITY ADDRESS
Mayor Steve Morley delivered his "2020 State of Our City Address" on January 16th, hosted by Community Bank of Elmhurst and the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce.

Check in out on ElmhurstTV!
EVERYONE COUNTS, ELMHURST!
We are gearing up for Census 2020! Each week leading up to the Census deadline, you can learn more about your fellow Elmhurst residents who are likewise committed to being counted in 2020. Counting EVERYONE who resides in Elmhurst is essential for determining the City's share of federal state funding and local representation. Please join us in being counted!

Coming to your mailbox in March 2020.
WINTER WEATHER IS HERE
Please help us keep hydrants clear of snow and do not blow or shovel snow into the street. As we continue to move through the winter season, bitter cold temperatures will become more prevalent. The Elmhurst Fire Department urges all citizens to take steps to prepare themselves for extreme cold temperatures. When outside, dress appropriately and maintain personal awareness. Prepare an emergency supply for your home and a winter kit for your vehicle(s). Residents are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and family members to ensure they are safe and as comfortable as possible. If anyone needs urgent medical treatment, contact 911 immediately. 

Visit the City's website to learn how to prepare for extreme cold temperatures, including how to prevent your pipes from freezing. Also learn where the City's designated warming center facilities are located.
CITY SNOW REMOVAL PROCEDURES
Following a snowfall, main roads are cleared first, followed by neighborhood streets and other less-traveled roadways. Snow is typically removed from the center to the curb in a series of four passes. Residents are reminded to please wait until city crews have completed their work before clearing your driveway approach because it is not possible to complete plowing without pushing some snow onto driveway approaches. During plowing operations, windrows of snow may be created in the center of the street and then removed during the night time hours when there are fewer vehicles to impede the process. Please avoid shoveling or blowing snow into the street when you are clearing your property. Residents can also help by clearing snow from fire hydrants to help firefighters locate them quickly in an emergency. Please remember, too, that parking is not permitted on city streets for eight hours following a snowfall of two inches or more. 
DO YOU CLEAN YOUR FIREPLACE? Be sure to get your fireplace cleaned and inspected before you light those winter fires. Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires, which damage structures and destroy homes and property. Indications of a chimney fire have been described as creating loud cracking and popping noise with a lot of dense smoke, and an intense odor. Fireplaces, and vents should be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs should be done if necessary. Even if you don’t use your chimney much, animals may build nests in the flue or there may be other types of deterioration that could make the chimney unsafe to use. 
BEWARE OF PHONE SCAMS
A commonly reported phone scams involves a young adult calling for Grandma or Grandpa and asking for help because they’ve been arrested out of the country and need bond money to be wired.

Victims of phone scams also commonly report that they received calls from the IRS saying “you owe money and will be arrested if you don’t wire money or provide a credit card or banking information immediately”.

If you receive calls of this nature, you are being targeted in a phone scam. Please hang up! 
NEXT STOP ELMHURST: AN EXPLORATION OF ELMHURST RAILROADS PAST AND PRESENT
New Throwback Thursday Lecture series!  Join Elmhurst History Museum’s curator of exhibits, Dan Bartlett on Feb 13th at 3pm at the Elmhurst History Museum Education Center. Dan will talk about the earliest history of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad through the western suburbs, its operations, and how the coming of that first rail line from Chicago affected the communities along its path. Free program, online registration is required.
WATCH ELMHURST CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS LIVE ON ELMHURSTTV.
The City of Elmhurst's Regular City Council Meetings can now be seen live on the City's YouTube Channel, ElmhurstTV.

Regular City Council Meetings typically take place on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:30pm unless the Monday falls on a holiday. Please check the City's website for meeting dates and agenda items.

For information on Community Events, please visit  ExploreElmhurst.com .
Subscribe to "News & Announcements" and notifications on the City's "Calendar of Events & Public Meetings" on the City's new website.  Subscribe Here
Thank you for your interest in our community.  If our office can be of assistance to you, please don't hesitate to contact us via  email   or by phone, (630) 530-3000.

Sincerely,

Jim Grabowski
City Manager
City of Elmhurst
630-530-3000 
Weekdays: 8:30am - 5pm