Quick Phone Guide

VILLAGE SERVICES

Emergency Police/Fire/Paramedic 911

Building & Related Permits Northfield 847-784-3551 Winnetka 847-716-3520

Community Service Officer Northfield 847-446-2131 Winnetka 847-501-6034 (police dispatch)

Animal Licenses Northfield 847-446-9200 Winnetka 847-501-6000

Finance Department Northfield 847-784-3536 Winnetka 847-501-6000

Fire Department (non-emergency) Northfield 847-441-3800 Winnetka 847-501-6029 Forester Northfield 847-784-3810 Winnetka 847-716-3535

Library Northfield 847-446-4428 Winnetka 847-446-7220

North Shore Senior Center 847-784-6000

Park District Northfield 847-446-4428 Winnetka 847-501-2040 Glenview 847-724-5670

Police Department (non-emergency) Northfield 847-446-2131 Winnetka 847-501-6034

Post Office Northfield 847-446-3777 Winnetka 847-446-1721 Public Works (Sewer problems, sidewalk replacement, street maintenance and water main breaks) Northfield 847-441-3810 Winnetka 847-716-3568

Recycling/Refuse Collection Northfield 800-796-9696 Winnetka 847-716-3568

Township New Trier Township Assessor’s Office 847-446-8200 New Trier Township Government 847-446-8202 Northfield Township Government 847-724-8300

Utility Billing Northfield 847-784-3514 Winnetka 847-446-9550

Vehicle Sticker Northfield 847-784-3536 Winnetka 847-501-6000

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Village Clerk/Village Hall Northfield 847-446-9200 Winnetka 847-501-6000

Driver’s License/Plates Secretary of State 800-252-8980 cyberdriveillinois.com

HOSPITALS

Lake Forest Hospital 847-234-5600 NorthShore University Health Systems Evanston Hospital 847-570-2000 Glenbrook Hospital 847-657-5800 Highland Park Hospital 847-432-8000 Skokie Hospital 847-677-9600

St. Francis Hospital, Evanston 847-316-4000 TRANSPORTATION

Amtrak 800-872-7245 Greyhound Bus Line 800-231-2222 RTA Travel Information Center 847-836-7000

Pace 847-364-7223 Metra Fare & Schedule Information 312-322-6777 metrarail.com

UTILITIES

Electric — Northfield Commonwealth Edison 800-334-7661 Electric & Water — Winnetka Administration 847-716-3558 Billing 847-446-9550 Natural Gas North Shore Gas 866-556-6005

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Better Business Bureau 330 N Wabash Ave, Suite 3120 Chicago, IL 60611 312-832-0500

Illinois Consumer Fraud Division Hotline 800-386-5438

Food and Drug Administration fda.gov (file online complaints) All other inquiries 312-353-5863

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BUSINESS UPDATES WINNETKA

BY LIZ DECHANT

Last year was the most challenging year businesses have faced in recent memory: businesses became innovative and flexible in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Village’s support for businesses never wavered.

Since the moment Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued the first stay-at-home order in March 2020, Village staff worked tirelessly to help businesses adapt to the evolving demands the pandemic placed upon them. The Village partnered with the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce to address emerging issues for business owners and put forward creative solutions for common concerns including providing education on marketing strategies, offering advice and guidance to businesses, and identifying and sharing financial aid opportunities offered by state, federal, and private entities.

Village trustees acknowledged the financial burden on the small business community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and offered a Local Sales Tax Rebate Economic Relief program to eligible businesses. This program was open from Sept. 1-Dec. 1, 2020, and issued $297,500 to 76 businesses from a portion of the Village’s share of municipal sales tax received in 2019.

Restaurants were ordered to cease indoor dining in October 2020, and the Village moved quickly to support them. The Village created a one-time Restaurant Relief Grant in December 2020 and disbursed $100,000 to 29 locally owned restaurants, providing them with immediate cash for shortterm financial operational expenses. In 2021, residents are encouraged to participate in the “Take Out Challenge” as a way to support local restaurants by spending $150 at one or multiple Winnetka restaurant locations and entering to win prizes and local dining experiences.

Residents can now access business promotions sent via text as part of the “Distinctly Winnetka” text loyalty program. Text WINN to 55678 to sign up and be notified about deals, promotions and events at Winnetka businesses.

Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, the Village of Winnetka welcomed 14 new businesses in 2020: 501 Local, Alchemy and Cloth, Bunny & Babe, Casa Spazio, Engel & Völkers, Munder-Skiles, Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant, La Taquiza Mexican Restaurant, Maison du Prince, Sole + Luna Wellness, Spirit Elephant, Towne and Oak, Pedego E-Bikes and Perspective Eyes.

Several new businesses are slated to open in 2021. In Hubbard Woods, interior designer Rebel House will open in spring. In East Elm, Delos Therapy, Hometown Coffee and Juice, and Taco and Tequila Cantina are slated to open mid-year.

Winnetka is proud of our existing businesses, several of which were honored in Make It Better’s Annual Best of the North Shore reader’s poll in 2020, including Bella Bleu Bridal (Best Bridal Shop), One Magnificent MedSpa (Best Facial), The Grand Food Center (Best Grocery Store), Stacked & Folded (Best Sandwiches), Academic Approach (Best Tutor), Corepower Yoga (Best Yoga), Bedside Manor Ltd. (Best Home Organization Company) and Get Dwell (Best Handyman).

Business district revitalization was completed in the West Elm area, featuring widened sidewalks for easier pedestrian access, new brick crosswalks, streetlights, benches, bicycle racks, bollards, landscaping and trees. Implementation of the Village’s Downtown Master Plan and Downtown Streetscape Master Plan will continue in 2021. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2021 in East Elm along Lincoln Avenue and Elm Street.

The Village sponsored several outdoor shopping events hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, which supported local businesses and drew tens of thousands of visitors to the Village. The Winnetka Farmers’ Market was held from June to November in 2020: a record 23 weekends that attracted over 25,000 visitors. The market followed strict health guidelines to ensure the safety of shoppers and vendors. Three outdoor Winnetka “Shop and Stroll” weekends in late summer and early fall 2020 extended business sales outdoors. The Village co-sponsored the annual Red Invitation Sale and the first-ever Open Air Holiday Market in December.

The Village is hopeful that 2021 will offer more opportunities for businesses to connect to their customers. Outdoor dining is a priority for the Village, which has expedited the outdoor dining permit process and continues to work with businesses to provide creative solutions to help businesses reach customers despite the pandemic.

For the most up-to-date information on Winnetka businesses and events, be sure to subscribe to our monthly E-Developments newsletter, sign up for “Distinctly Winnetka,” and follow the Village of Winnetka on social media. Find links to all of these resources at villageofwinnetka.org/communications.

Liz DeChant is the economic development coordinator for the Village of Winnetka.