Coronavirus In IL: City Of McHenry Puts Restrictions In Place

MCHENRY, IL — Mayor Wayne Jett and the City of McHenry announced that as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the City of McHenry closed public access to City Hall in an attempt to reduce the spread of the coronavirus to City employees, community residents and to help secure the City's critical facilities and their operations, according to a news release from the City.

Because the single most important function of a municipality is ensuring the safety of its citizens, City administration and staff have acted quickly to maintain community safety, secure facilities and ensure a healthy workforce, following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State of Illinois and the McHenry County Department of Health, the news release said.

"While this is an inconvenience, there are too many unknowns associated with this outbreak and it is in the best interest of the community that we take this next step," the news release states.

• Coronavirus In Illinois March 18: 1 Death, 160 Cases

While City Hall will be closed to the public, all City services will continue (with some modifications) and McHenry residents will always receive the excellent customer service they have come to expect from us. The following City departments are taking specific actions detailed below:

City Administration

The City Administration, which includes the Offices of the Mayor, City Administrator, Finance Director, Economic Development Director and Human Resources Director will continue to be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. via telephone at 815-363-2108 or through email at info@cityofmchenry.org.

Related:

• Coronavirus: Huntley Closures Amid Local State Of Emergency
  
• Illinois Coronavirus 'Will Get Much Worse Before It Gets Better'
• McHenry Co. Health Dept. Probes COVID-19 Cases

Water sewer bills

The City of McHenry will not be shutting off water to any resident for non-payment, and late fees will not be assessed while we remain under the current COVID-19 situation. For payments, the City would like to encourage residents to pay their utility bill online. Residents can also mail in a check, place a check in the drop box in the City Hall parking lot, or call 815-363-2100 to make a credit card payment over the phone.

Garbage disposal stickers

In addition, residents in need of Prairieland Waste Disposal Stickers will be able to acquire these
stickers during store hours at Meijer Store, Ace Hardware, Jewel and Angelo’s Fresh Market in McHenry.

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Community Development

The Community Development Department will continue to conduct business on a modified basis.
Community Development can be reached Monday through Friday via telephone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, at 815-363-2100 and via email at ced@cityofmchenry.org. Permit drop off and the issuance of permits may be done by appointment only. Building inspections will be limited to Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays in the morning hours only.

Police Department

The McHenry Police Department lobby will remain open for residents to conduct police-related business. If you are calling about a non-emergency situation, a police officer may be able to take your information and complete a police report over the phone without responding to your location. Please contact 815-363-2200 for all non-emergency situations. All police services will remain fully functional 24/7.

Public Works

All City Public Works Facilities were closed to the public as of March 12 but will remain in fully operations and continue to serve the public. Contact with Public Works can be made by calling 815-363-2186 Monday through Friday from 730am to 330pm. Services such as water, sewer, and garbage pickup will continue uninterrupted. Yard waste curbside collection will still continue as planned beginning April 6.

Parks and Recreation Department
The Parks and Recreation Department has taken an aggressive stance in their prevention effort related to COVID-19. On March 12 significant changes to programs and services included cancellations and modifications to implement CDC compliant social distancing practice and preventive measures.

In response to the Executive Order issued by Governor Pritzker requiring public gatherings to crowd sizes under 50 people, the Recreational Center has taken a proactive approach to ensure they exceed this requirement. Effective March 17 all remaining Recreational Center Fitness Classes and Programs have been reduced to 15 people or fewer and steps have been implemented to ensure that no more than 30 members participate in the use of the main gym facility at one time. In addition, the City has implemented a new enhanced cleaning protocol that calls for an electrostatic cleaning and fumigation of the entire facility at the close of business each day. The electrostatic system provides rapid uniform application of fast acting chemicals that allows for exceptional coverage. The City is committed to offering fitness services to its residents in the safest manner possible. Should the risk rise and warrant a full closure, the City has pre-established a plan that can be enacted immediately. Until such time healthy members who do not experience any symptoms associated with COVID-19 are welcome to attend. As everyone has now realized the mitigation of COVID-19 if an ever changing plan. In the event further actions is taken by the City we will update our residents as soon as possible.

Follow-up questions can be directed to City Administrator Derik Morefield at 815-363-2108.