Important COVID-19 Community Updates
Please note that the City will not be issuing a COVID E-Newsletter tomorrow, June 5.

Lake Forest and the entire state has moved into Phase 3 of the Governor's "Restore Illinois Plan". Restaurants, retailers, and other businesses have re-opened with certain accommodations and restrictions. Read the details here .

It's up to everyone - business owners, employee, and customers - to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.

See who's open for business! (Courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce website .)

It is important to keep moving forward to reach the final phase of the Plan. During this "Recovery Phase", residents should continue to practice 6-foot physical distancing, wear face coverings when maintaining physical distancing is not possible, and continue to wash your hands and sanitize frequently.

Also, beginning this week, some City buildings re-opened with limited staffing and safety protocols in place. Other City staff will continue to work remotely. Until further notice, the City encourages residents to continue using online City services as often as possible.

The City's COVID Updates E-Newsletter will continue to be issued every Monday, Wednesday and Friday or as necessary.

Please dial 9-1-1 in case of emergencies only and continue to call 847.234.2601 for non-emergencies.

Check the City's website for additional information and continue to send any inquiries to cityhall@cityoflakeforest.com .

Photo of City Hall courtesy of Kerri Sherman
A New Message from the Mayor
Some City Facilities Have Re-Opened
City Hall and the Municipal Services Building re-opened to the public yesterday, and have resumed regular hours: Monday-Friday from 8 am.-4:30 p.m.

The safety of the public and City employees is paramount, and residents are encouraged to continue using non-contact methods of conducting business, including online transactions, phone and email.

All building visitors and employees are required to wear a face covering, and to physical distance. The public will be asked to sign in with contact information to enable contact tracing if needed.
COVID-19 Community Forum
"Moving Forward. Together. An Update on COVID-19 and Next Steps with Leaders of the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff Communities."

Lake Forest Mayor George Pandaleon and Village President Kathy O'Hara hosted a virtual community update on June 2 with local municipal, medical and education leaders. You may view it below.
Update from Northwestern Medicine
Lake Forest Hospital
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital continues to appreciate the strong support we have received from the Lake Forest community. Our caregivers have been exceptionally well supported with meals, snacks and countless other kind gestures, and are especially thankful for the cards sent to post in our patient rooms. 
 
Hospital Safety Measures Set in Place
Consistent with the State’s Restore Illinois plan, Lake Forest Hospital has begun rescheduling treatment for patients whose care had been postponed, and for whom further delay in care would be medically inadvisable. The safety and well-being of our patients, physicians and workforce remains our highest priority, and we have undertaken extensive steps to ensure a safe environment, which are detailed in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkTu5W32o-4.  

These steps include:

  • Entry Screening Procedures: Any person entering Lake Forest Hospital, whether staff or patient, will be screened for fever and asked about COVID-19 symptoms. Those with symptoms will be triaged for care or asked to return home. Masks and hand sanitizer are available at all entry points.
  • Universal Masking: With the exception of patients in their hospital rooms, every person is required to wear a mask while in Lake Forest Hospital. 
  • Testing: Patients undergoing surgeries or procedures will undergo testing for COVID prior to arrival.
  • No-Visitor Policy: The no-visitor policy remains in effect with limited exceptions.
  • Disinfecting: Our Environmental Services teams continue to perform rigorous cleaning of our facilities, and have increased the frequency of disinfecting high-touch surfaces. Exam rooms are fully disinfected after each patient. Magazines and other materials that cannot be cleaned properly have been removed from waiting areas.
  • Physical Distancing: Seating areas have been modified to reduce the amount of furniture and allow for physical distancing, and elevator use will be restricted to two people. Signage has been placed throughout the hospital buildings to signify appropriate physical distancing.
  • Separate areas for patients with COVID symptoms: Testing of patients with flu or COVID symptoms are conducted in safe, designated locations.

Telehealth Appointments
In order to provide on-going care for our patients, we are offer phone, video chat and e-visit options. Additional safety and access to care information can be found at: https://www.nm.org/patients-and-visitors/patient-safety-during-covid-19.

Appointment Scheduling
Lake Forest Hospital is slowly and carefully reopening patient care services in our hospital and outpatient areas. A multidisciplinary team of physicians and staff is coordinating this process in a gradual, thoughtful way. Each patient is evaluated for the appropriate type of visit: in-person or by phone/video chat. 
 
COVID-19 Testing
Testing for COVID-19 and for antibodies is available for patients with a physician’s order. Individuals should discuss testing options with their physician.
 
Hospital Campus Enhancement Projects
Work is underway on a portion of Westmoreland Road north of Deerpath to add turn lanes and a pedestrian crossing. During this project, traffic is being temporarily routed to the Waukegan Road entrance. The Lake Forest Club is also accessible via the Waukegan Road entrance. The project is planned to be completed by the end of June, weather dependent.

A new walking and bike pathway from Deerpath north into the campus will also be completed as part of this project. We are pleased to provide this path for the use of our community, and hope it will provide many opportunities for enjoyment of our campus grounds for walking and biking. 
Waukegan COVID-Testing Site Relocates
SPRINGFIELD – Ten of the eleven state-managed Community Based Testing Sites will resume normal operations on Wednesday, June 3. This includes Harwood Heights, Aurora, Rockford, East St. Louis, Bloomington, South Holland, Auburn/Gresham/Chatham, Champaign, Rolling Meadows and Peoria.

The Waukegan site will reopen on Thursday, June 4 in a new location to accommodate the restoration of vehicle emission testing at the IEPA-managed facility on Northwestern Avenue. The new location of the Waukegan Community Based Testing Site is 102 W. Water Street. The new site will be open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., or until 750 test kits are completed for the day. The Illinois National Guard administers the tests, and results are provided by phone in 4-7 days. Testing is free and available regardless of immigration status. A phone number and name are required in order to receive testing results. 


All individuals are encouraged to seek testing at these Community Based Testing Sites. Additional accommodations have been made for the following individuals with or without COVID-like symptoms.
Administrative Hearings Resume on Thursday,
June 11
In-person hearings will begin on June 11, and will take place in the City Council Chamber (2nd floor) at City Hall, 220 E. Deerpath. Please check the City's website for more information, as certain changes will be in effect. 

If you are scheduled to appear to prove compliance, please drop off your completed documents at the Police Department, 255 W. Deerpath, by Wednesday, June 10. Your appearance will be waived.

If you have questions concerning your citation or other hearing matters, you may contact the Administrative Hearing Clerk by calling 847.810.3834 or by email to tappaa@cityoflakeforest.com .
Sanitation/Compost/Recycling Reminder
A reminder that the last day for free curbside service for items intended for the Compost Center was last Thursday, as the Compost/Recycling Center (located on the south side of Rte. 60, west of Waukegan Road) re-opened on Saturday, May 30!

Regular summer hours are Saturdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and pickup dates for sanitation and yard waste with stickers on bags are back in effect.

Call the Hotline for Missed Pickups/Special Pickups, Move-in Pickups/Move-out Pickups: 847-615-4264.
Don't Forget...
It's as Easy as
It's Important



The Census paper questionnaire was mailed on April 8 to anyone who has not yet responded. Please complete the questionnaire and return it or respond online at my2020census.gov or by phone at 844.330.2020.

In the coming months, when it is safe to do so, Census takers will follow up with in-person visits to addresses for which responses have not been received.

Completing the Census questionnaire is easy, secure and important. Thank you for helping Lake Forest and Illinois achieve a Complete Count!
Lake County Interactive Map
The Lake County Health Department's interactive map shares the number of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 in each municipality. According to the LCHD website, it is best viewed on a computer. You can view the map   here .
Local Resources
State/Federal Resources
The City of Lake Forest, Illinois | Website