MACOMB – Macomb city officials announce Halloween Trick or Treating in Macomb will be held on October 30th (Friday) and October 31st (Saturday). Hours will be 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

All citizens are encouraged to follow the recommendations of the Illinois Department of Public Health relating to trick-or-treating as listed below:

• Anyone participating in trick-or-treating, including those passing out candy, should maintain 6-feet of social distance and wear proper face coverings.
• Consider leaving individually wrapped candy (spaced apart) on a table in driveways or in front of walkways, sidewalks, or any outdoor space where 6-feet of distance can be maintained.
• A Halloween costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. Ensure that breathing is not impaired if a cloth mask is worn under a costume mask. If so, discard the costume mask.
• Trick-or-treat in groups with household members only.
• Candy collected during trick-or-treating should not be eaten until after handwashing.
• An alternative to traditional trick-or-treating is to set up in a large parking lot or other outdoor setting with tables with individually wrapped candy (spaced apart) where participants with a parent/guardian can parade past while still keeping 6-feet of distance and wearing a face covering. It’s suggested to offer reserved time slots to limit everyone showing up at once.

Please leave a porch light on if you wish to hand out treats. Everyone is reminded to please use extra caution while driving through neighborhoods during the evenings of October 30 and 31.

For information regarding the Illinois Department of Public Health’s guidance pertaining to other Halloween festivities such as haunted houses, adult costume parties, social gatherings, Halloween parties at bars, pumpkin and orchards, and hayrides, please visit the IDPH website at
https://www.dph.illinois.gov/news/illinois-department-public-health-issues-covid-19-halloween-festivities-guidance.

Effective October 19, 2020, the hours of operation for the City of Macomb Office of Community Development will be from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The “No Sticker” Fall Yard Waste Collection will begin Monday, October 5, 2020 through Thursday, November 26, 2020.

Loose landscape waste, such as leaves, grass clippings, small branches not larger than ½ inches in diameter, etc. must be either bagged in Kraft paper bags, landscape waste bags or placed in trash containers labeled “yard waste” not weighing more than 50#. Brush and branches not exceeding three (3) inches in diameter may be bundled and tied with twine; such bundles shall be no longer than four (4) feet in length and three (3) feet in diameter. Bundles are to be tied with twine. Bundles tied with wire will not be collected. Do not place yard waste in the provided green Waste Management carts.

PLEASE NOTE WASTE MANAGEMENT WILL BE ENDING THEIR YARD WASTE PICKUP PROGRAM ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020, WITH OR WITHOUT A STICKER.

Round 2:  A $220 million second round of BIG aims to provide relief for all types of small businesses, but with a particular focus on businesses downstate, in disproportionately impacted areas (DIAs), and for heavily impacted industry and regions – representing businesses that have been unable to reopen or operating at a severely diminished capacity since the spring.  

The second wave of funds includes the following provisions to ensure a wide distribution of funds geographically and across business type:

• Heavily Impacted Industries – $60 million for heavily distressed industries, such as movie theatres, performing arts venues, concert venues, indoor recreation, amusement parks, and more.
• Disproportionately Impacted Areas – $70 million set aside for DIAs, defined by zip codes identified by the General Assembly for communities that are most economically distressed and vulnerable to COVID-19.  A map of DIAs can be accessed HERE.
• Downstate Communities – DCEO has committed to ensuring that at least half of all remaining funds, totaling more than $100 million, are reserved for businesses in downstate and rural communities of Illinois.
• Priority Businesses– Apart from the $60 million for heavily impacted industries, applications from the following types of businesses will be prioritized for review for remaining funds:  businesses directly affected by regional mitigations implemented by the state or local governments, independently owned retail, tourism- and hospitality-related industries including accommodations, and more.
• Agriculture – $5 million of the remainder of funds will be set aside for livestock production disruptions. Applications will be available in the coming weeks from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
• Grants and Loan Forgiveness for Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan recipients – As authorized by the General Assembly, DCEO will offer grants for businesses that have incurred eligible costs to offset loans received under the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan program.  This round of loan forgiveness and grants will go to businesses that have received loans or remain on the wait list and the program will sunset going forward as DCEO and its partners focus on making BIG awards.

Businesses outside the categories listed above are also eligible to apply and receive funding under the program but may be reviewed later than priority businesses. All businesses will receive a decision on their grant application within four to six weeks of application submission.

https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/C19DisadvantagedBusGrants.aspx

The Macomb City Council resumed meeting in person July 6th. Subsequently, effective Monday August 3rd the public can attend and make public comments in person. City Council meetings will no longer be available via “Zoom” and public comments will no longer be accepted via mail or email.

Due to COVID-19, social distancing measures and face coverings will be required in City Hall. Temperatures will be recorded for all attendees upon entry to the meeting room.

City Council meetings will continue to be streamed on the City’s YouTube page at bitly.com/macombyoutube and can be viewed on Comcast channel 15. Meeting agendas and minutes are available on this site.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing, earlier today, of the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian. “The Rev. Dr. Vivian distinguished himself by being a lifelong, passionate advocate for racial and social justice, an icon in the American Civil Rights movement and a force for social change– not only in the United States but around the world”, said Macomb Mayor Michael Inman “The world has lost a giant voice and a determined laborer for racial equity”, Inman added

The Rev. Dr. Vivian came to Macomb with his family as a small boy but left as a strong, determined man–having spent his formative years in Macomb—attending Lincoln grade school, graduating from Macomb High School and attending Western Illinois University.

The entire Macomb community sends our sincere condolences to the Rev. Dr. Vivian’s family and extends our gratitude to them for sharing him with us.

The Macomb City Council and staff will view a web-based presentation by Ibram X. Kendi, noted author of “How to Be an Antiracist” following the City Council meeting on Monday. Council and staff will view Mr. Kendi’s presentation, live, in the City Hall Community Room on Monday, July 20, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CDT.

Members of the public who wish to view the presentation at their homes may register to view the online broadcast at: bitly.com/antiracist2020.

The City of Macomb and Waste Management request the assistance of the citizens of Macomb in the Spring City-Wide Clean-Up Aug 10 – 13, 2020 followed by a second pickup on the Monday route on Aug 17. Residents should place their refuse and trash curbside no earlier than 48 hours before their regular garbage pickup day. Clean up begins at 6:00 a.m. on your normal pick up day. Unfortunately, some residents are not placing their refuse and trash out until after the crews have passed their homes, which necessitate contractors and city crews to retrace their steps, prolonging the time and resources devoted to the effort. Mayor Mike Inman encouraged city residents, “This is a beneficial service provided to the community. On-time placement of refuse and trash keeps the cost down and reduces the neighborhood unsightliness associated with the program.”

Residents are advised that refuse and trash should be placed in containers or bundles weighing less than 50 pounds. Sturdy bags, including plastic trash bags, will be permitted containers for this event only. “White goods” and bulk items are to be placed as close to the curb as possible. Loose refuse and electronics are not permitted.

Other items not included in the pick up are: Yard Waste, Liquid Waste (paint, motor oil, thinner), Hazardous Waste (gasoline, propane, chemical wastes, insecticides/pesticides), Electronics (TV’s, Computers, Fax/Copy Machines, Cell Phones, Stereo Equipment), Tires, Batteries, Large Auto Parts, Construction and Demolition Debris, or Concrete Preparation.