A Message from Mayor Rosenthal

Friends and neighbors,

Yesterday I declared a state of emergency in the Village which allows temporary powers for Village officials to more quickly address life, health and safety issues arising in connection with the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Today, I’m asking our community to come together to help each other minimize the risk of spreading the virus. Neighbors helping neighbors builds strong, resilient communities. And while we may all be practicing social distancing, there is still a lot we can do for each other at a distance of six feet or greater.

The outpouring of residents volunteering to help has been amazing. We are maintaining a list of people who wish to help in any way. I am working with our staff and sister government agencies to find opportunities to tap our community’s spirit of service to others. We will announce details shortly.

Please take the opportunity to call or check in on your elderly, disabled, and homebound neighbors regularly to see if there is anything they need. A phone call, text or e-mail can help us all feel connected. If you know of anyone who needs a daily check in, let us know and we’ll make that happen. If you can’t reach a loved one, call the non-emergency police line at 847.945.8636 and an officer will do a well-being check.

We know kids are home from college and local schools are closed. This is not a time for parties and large gatherings. We encourage you to keep kids at home to help reduce the risk to older adults and people with underlying health issues. Enjoy family time and protect our community.

Support our local restaurants! The DBR Chamber has compiled a list of Deerfield restaurants that offer drive-thru, delivery and curbside pickup options. It is available here. Please consider ordering out or buying a gift card online for later use to support our restaurants in this uncertain time. Check back often for the updated list.

When we must go out for food and medication, please implement social distancing practices. Stay a few feet from those in line and be courteous as we get through this together. Please purchase only what you need.

Essential Village services will continue to be offered. There will be no reduction or changes to critical emergency services, water distribution or garbage collection. The Village encourages residents to conduct business online or by phone when possible. As this is a developing situation, the Village will continue to share updates to its website at www.deerfield.il.us and on social media. Residents are encouraged to sign-up for e-notifications via the website as well. 

In addition to its own pandemic response planning, the Village has also established contingency plans in close collaboration with neighboring communities and sister governments. Residents should continue to call 911 in an emergency.
Anyone with questions, ideas or concerns should reach out to me at hrosenthal@deerfield.il.us.
 
My sincerest appreciation to our Village staff, first responders, those in the healthcare field and other levels of government for working so hard to keep our community safe.

We’re in this together  – even if at a distance. And let’s work toward flattening the curve.

Stay safe,
Harriet