Mayor Nicholas J. Helmer's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Under the guidance of Mayor Nicholas J. Helmer, the City continues to take proactive measures to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus

  • The lobby of City Hall is routinely disinfected
  • Masks are required at CIty Hall
  • A temperature check is located in the lobby
  • City meetings are being held via Zoom
  • The City is continually keeping our local businesses informed of the Governor's current regulations
  • Residents can utilize online, mail-in, or dropbox payment as options for utility bills, vehicle stickers and pet tags

Your Mayor, Nicholas J. Helmer

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Governor Announces Bridge Plan to Phase 5

On March 19, 2021, Governor Pritzker relaxed certain Phase 4 mitigation requirements, mainly related to capacity limits, as a bridge from Phase 4 to Phase 5 (full open). The relaxed capacity requirements move most restrictions from 50% capacity to 60% capacity for dining, health and fitness, retail and service, and spectator events to name a few.

METRICS TO MOVE FORWARD

Vaccination metrics: Once 70% of residents 65 and older statewide have received their first dose of the vaccine and no increase in COVID-19 metrics is recorded, the state could move into the Bridge Phase. Once 50% of residents 16 and older have received their first dose of the vaccine and no increase in COVID-19 metrics is recorded, the state could move into Phase 5.

COVID-19 metrics: The state could advance if there is a non-increasing trend in hospital admissions for COVID-19 like illness, COVID-19 patients in the hospital and mortality rate while ICU bed availability must remain greater than or equal to 20%. The state will consider new knowledge of variants, vaccine effectiveness and the potential necessity of a booster shot as we move forward.

Monitoring period: COVID-19 metrics will be considered over a 28-day monitoring period before the state can advance to the next phase. The current monitoring period began when all regions of the state moved into Phase 4.

We are doing our part in preventing the spread and we hope you will too!

Help decrease the spread of Coronavirus in your workplace, homes, and schools. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has provided common sense guidelines to help people to decrease the spread of the Coronavirus. Information about Coronavirus and recommendations on preventing the spread of this illness is available below:

Click here for Mayor Helmer’s Press Release

Know How it Spreads

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  • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
  • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
    • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
    • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
  • Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Everyone Should

protect-wash-handsClean your hands often


  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
protect-quarantineAvoid close contact


  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Put distance between yourself and other people.
    • Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
    • Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
cloth-face-coverCover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
  • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
  • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
    • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
  • Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
  • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

COVIDweb_06_coverCoughCover coughs and sneezes


  • If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
COVIDweb_09_cleanClean and disinfect


  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.