Access Point Fall 2021

Access Point News and Information for Residents from the City of Des Plaines

Fall 2021 Phone: 847.391.5300 | Web: desplaines.org | Address: 1420 Miner Street, Des Plaines IL | Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Prairie Lakes Park, Des Plaines

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Mayor

Andrew Goczkowski desplaines.org agoczkowski@desplaines.org

847.391.5301

There is a lot happening this fall in our city and at the City!

The City’s renovation on the Des Plaines Historic Theatre is complete and we are celebrating its grand opening! Tickets are on sale now at desplainestheatre.com. I am so very proud of this project and thankful to the City’s leaders – past and present – for committing to invest in this tremendous community asset, along with Rivers Casino for their financial contribution to this project.

I’m also very excited about the future of Des Plaines as a vibrant destination for our residents and others across Chicagoland.

This time of year is budget season. Council met over a series of meetings in October to review and discuss. The annual budget is one of the most important City Council decisions. It determines the City’s financial policy and direction, and influences virtually every City activity during that fiscal year. I’m proud to report that the proposed budget does not increase the property tax levy over last year’s levy.

I encourage you to visit desplaines.org to check out our reader-friendly budget overview with information presented for ease of use, as well as detailed revenue and expenditure data for a fully transparent and comprehensive document. The final budget will be adopted in mid-November with public hearings in November and December. All meeting dates can be viewed on the City’s calendar at desplaines.org.

Council recently met to review our Five-Year Strategic Plan. This is also an important document that sets the direction for the City and influences our priorities and where and how we invest resources.

City Council meets to discuss Five-Year Strategic Plan

I will share highlights with you on our strategic plan and annual budget through our regular E-News. (If you’re not signed up for this, visit desplaines.org/mycity). And, in our continued effort to enhance communications/engagement, improve transparency and build public trust, we are also working on an Annual Report to share the City’s progress on our strategic goals and budget highlights. Be on the lookout for that early next year.

October is designated as Global Diversity Awareness Month. I embrace and take pride in our City’s diversity. I strongly believe our diversity in all forms – race, ethnicity, gender, transgender, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, ability, and disability – contributes to our uniqueness and strength. While October is designated to celebrate and promote diversity, I am committed to this every day of the year! I recently announced the creation of a Des Plaines Multicultural Advisory Group whose primary purpose is to celebrate Des Plaines’ diversity and foster a more inclusive community. I’m seeking residents who represent different backgrounds and cultures to serve on this ad-hoc advisory group. To learn more and submit a letter of interest, visit desplaines.org/diversity.

I hope you enjoy your fall. Check out our list of things to do to fall in love with Des Plaines on page five, and continue reading for other City news and information. As always, feel free to contact me directly at agoczkowski@desplaines.org or 847-391-5301.

Andrew Goczkowski, Mayor

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Ci ty S n ap s h o t s JULY

Des Plaines and Cook County officials participated in a “Clap-Out” ceremony to thank the Illinois National Guard and Cook County Department of Public Health staff who worked at the Mass Vaccination Site from March through mid-July. More than 180,000 doses were administered here and it was the County’s busiest site.

AUGUST

AUGUST

Thank you to all those who supported the Des Plaines Police Department and the Special Olympics Illinois through the #CoffeeForChampions campaign. And, thank you to our dedicated men and women at DPPD for everything you do to protect Des Plaines and keep us safe!

City elected officials and City personnel celebrated the official opening of the City’s new parking garage behind City Hall downtown.

The garage has 274 spaces for Police Department and City Hall employees and visitors. It will also provide additional parking for the patrons of the remodeled theatre.

SEPTEMBER

City officials gathered to “turn-on” the long-awaited traffic signal at the intersection of Forest and Lee Street. Thank you to past and present City elected officials, the Engineering Department and the residents of Des Plaines for contributing to its success.

In case you missed it, learn more about how the City is wisely and strategically investing in our infrastructure systems so that they are sound and sustainable for YOU! Scan the QR code for video.

SEPTEMBER

Thank you to WTTW Chicago Tonight for featuring Des Plaines as part of its “In Your Neighborhood” series. The piece featured an interview with Mayor Andrew Goczkowski outside of the Des Plaines Theatre, and included interviews with several other community partners.

Viewers got to see what WE already know, Des Plaines is a great place to live, work and play!

Check it out here bit.ly/3lVahNW.

SEPTEMBER

On Sept. 11, the City reflected on the 20-year-anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Elected officials, the City’s police and fire chiefs and community members gathered at the Des Plaines 9/11 Monument downtown to pay tribute to the victims and the heroes of that tragic day.

Des Plaines is only one of a handful of communities that has a permanent 9/11 memorial. Our monument, located between the Des Plaines Police Department and City Hall (1420 Miner St.) in downtown Des Plaines, features a piece of steel that was among the supports that held up the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

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It’s Not Too Much to Mask, Des Plaines

COVID-19 continues to be a serious health threat in Illinois and across the world.

All Illinois residents, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks indoors.

While face coverings are not required outdoors, masks are strongly encouraged in crowded outdoor settings like festivals and concerts, as well as for activities that require close contact with people who are not vaccinated.

The CDC’s changing mask guidance has been confusing for many people. The CDC recommended that fully vaccinated people start wearing masks again after an increasing number of breakthrough cases (due to the Delta variant) in people who were vaccinated. The CDC found that community masking leads to fewer diagnosed cases and reduces the likelihood of contracting the virus.

In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has determined that the Delta variant is the most dominant strain of COVID-19 in Illinois and has spread quickly among unvaccinated people of all ages across our state. The Delta variant is more aggressive and more transmissible than previously circulating strains, and poses significant new risks in the ongoing effort to stop and slow spread of the virus. The Delta variant also may cause more severe disease than prior strains of the virus. Therefore, the State has issued the indoor mask mandate regardless of vaccination status to help mitigate the spread of the virus.

Did You Know?

• The Delta variant spreads more than twice as easily from person to person • Almost all hospitalization and deaths are among unvaccinated people • Vaccines are safe, free, and effective against the Delta variant • Wearing a mask slows spread of COVID-19 and its variants * Illinois Department of Public Health

Please get your vaccine and please wear your mask. We’re in this together, Des Plaines! If you are not vaccinated, find a location here: vaccine.cookcountyil.gov.

Des Plaines Police: Protect Yourself from Fraud and Theft Unfortunately, the Des Plaines Police Department (DPPD) hears from too many residents who are victims of financial fraud. Perpetrators of financial fraud and electronic related theft are often based in other countries outside of the Des Plaines Police Department’s jurisdiction. This means that our local police department cannot prosecute these crimes.

However, victims should report incidents to state and federal agencies that track these crimes and may offer assistance to victims. Visit www.desplaines.org/police to connect with resources or contact DPPD at 847.391.5400.

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The DPPD also warns residents to be aware of phone scams and gift card scams that typically increase around the holidays and “giving season.” Be aware of imposters posing as charities and scammers claiming to be a business or government agency demanding that you pay them with gift cards. If they ask you to do this, they’re trying to scam you.

Package thefts also tend to rise during the holiday season. Offenders follow delivery trucks around and take the packages off of porches. Be on the lookout for anyone that isn’t typically seen in the area or may be slowly driving/stopping frequently on a side street. And, call DPPD so we can check it out!

Des Plaines Dashboard Native Bor n:

67. 5%

Po p ul at i o n :

60, 675

Foreign Bor n:

32. 5%

Des Plaines is at its highest population ever.

This opens up opportunities for additional state and federal resources.

To tal H o us eho l ds : 23,599

+ 2 ,3 1 1

residents since 2011 (+3.95%) Av erag e H o us eho l d S i ze: 2.5

* Pe rcent C hang e s ince 2 0 0 0

R ace & Et h n icit y* 63.1% 19.2% 2.0% 13.2% 2.5%

Whit e ( Non- Hispa nic )

12. 9%*

Hispa nic or La t ino

5. 2%*

B la c k ( Non- Hispa nic )

1. 0%*

Asia n ( Non- Hispa nic )

5. 6%*

O t he r /Mult iple R a c e s ( Non- Hispa nic )

1. 1%*

Popu lat ion by Age* 21.6%

19 and Under

36.6%

20 to 49

31.8%

9. 9%

50 to 74

75 and Over

L an d Use & Valu e* Single-Family Residential: 33.4% Multi-Family Residential: 2.4% Commercial: 6.7% Industrial: 9.7% The recent Census data shows more people are realizing what we already know - Des Plaines is a great place to live! Our population grew by nearly 4% or 2,311 people, topping 60,000 residents – our highest population ever. The data shows that several of our neighboring communities lost residents. Whether you’re newer to the city or a long-time resident, we’re happy you call Des Plaines home.

Population aged 25+ with an associate’s degree or higher: 47.2%*

Institutional: 9.5% Transportation and Other: 27.3% Open Space: 9.3% Vacant and Mixed Use: 1.7% Population with at least moderat ely high transit availability: 83.9%*

*US Census and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning analysis

Meet Your New Community and Economic Development Director John Carlisle is the City’s new Director of Community and Economic Development. After interviewing multiple candidates, it became clear that the best person for the job was right here!

John joined Des Plaines earlier this year as its Economic Development Manager and has served as Acting Director over the last several months. John is a Certified Planner with extensive experience in economic and community development and urban and regional planning, working both in local government and for our region’s planning agency (CMAP). The City will certainly benefit from John’s impressive knowledge and expertise, as well as his passion for public service.

John Carlisle Community & Economic Development Director Access Point | 4

Fall in Love with Des Plaines Enjoy the sweater-weather, vibrant autumn colors and fall activities right here in Des Plaines!

Enjoy the autumn colors and cooler temps on your bike or a long walk on one of our many bike/walking trails. Visit desplaines.org/bikeroutes.

Visit Lake Park and have a picnic, go fishing, sailing, and boating, or just enjoy a relaxing walk and take in all nature has to offer.

Visit the Des Plaines History Center, and check out their Des Plaines Takes Flight exhibit. It’s free and open Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sundays, 1-4 p.m.

Go canoeing or kayaking at Beck Lake, Big Bend Lake or on the Des Plaines River from the Northwestern Woods Forest Preserve.

Bring your dog (or dogs) to Beck Lake Off-Leash Dog Area to enjoy 40 acres of open space. (Annual membership required).

Dine outside at one of our many restaurants and take in some of the last few days and nights of nice temperatures before winter.

A New Face on a Historic Place!

The Des Plaines Elected Officials (serving from 2017 - 2021), in partnership with the City Manager, Michael G. Bartholomew, proudly celebrate the grand opening of the historic Des Plaines Theatre and the reinvestment in our downtown.

“The City of Des Plaines is thrilled to celebrate the reopening and restoration of the Des Plaines Theatre. We can’t wait to open the doors and welcome audiences from near and far to enjoy great entertainment and dining in downtown Des Plaines. Thank you to our elected leaders who had the foresight and commitment to invest in the theatre’s transformation and bring this special place (back) to life. Our gratitude also goes out to Rivers Casino for their financial partnership in this project.”

- Mayor Andrew Goczkowski Access Point | 5

Fire Department Adds New State-of-the-Art, Multi-Functional Squad to Fleet In October, the Des Plaines Fire Department rolled out its newest piece of apparatus – a very versatile Rescue Pumper known as “Squad 63.”

Located at Station 63 on Thacker Street, this $790,000 state-of-the-art equipment has the capability to fulfill the roles of multiple units all in one unit, making it multi-functional and extremely efficient. Squad 63 is deployed citywide for all working fire responses, extrication responses and all specialty team responses, in addition to responding to normal day-to-day incidents as dispatched. It acts as a traditional engine with hoses and water for fire suppression; it serves as EMS response, search and rescue, and carries equipment for various special operations hazardous materials, and technical and dive rescues – equipment which previously was stored in three special operations trailers.

Squad 63 is the first step in a multi-step restructuring of the fire department’s deployment model, which aims to deliver enhanced safety and response, as well as maximize efficiencies of the department’s staffing and operations.

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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID DES PLAINES, IL PERMIT #5

Reminders: Leaf Collection & Snow Removal There are several options to dispose of your leaves this fall and winter.

Weekly Bagged Leaf Collection Drop off at Public Works Facility City's Bulk Curbside Collection Visit desplaines.org/leafcollection for details.

And, grab your boots and shovels, snow season will be here soon. (In 2019, we got several inches of snow on Halloween).

For snowfall +2”, park vehicles away from snow routes until snow removal operations are completed.

Please place snow on parkways, leaving the street free for plow trucks. Visit desplaines.org/snowroutes for everything you need to know!

Phone: 847.391.5300

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Web: desplaines.org

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Address: 1420 Miner Street, Des Plaines IL

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Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.