Click logo above to view a larger collage of the day's festivities!

Choice Neighborhoods Picnic

Last weekend, the City of Chicago Heights and HACC hosted a Choice Neighborhoods kickoff celebration and picnic. Residents and visitors enjoyed an afternoon filled with great food, games, and idea sharing! The giant slide and pony rides were a huge hit with the children, as were the tours of CHFD's fire truck and ambulance along with seeing CHPD's mobile command center.

The grownups also participated in games designed to give them opportunities to brainstorm and share thoughts while building on ideas for the neighborhood.
The community picnic is the first of several other idea sharing events to come as we celebrate Choice Neighborhoods!

For more information, visit C hiHeightsChoice.com.

Fireworks

Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks displays. But along with all the festivities are plenty of visits to emergency rooms – especially during July. When setting off fireworks for your own personal use, please be mindful of a few safety tips.

Never use fireworks while impaired.
Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.
Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
Never light them indoors.
Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material.
Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
Never ignite devices in a container.
Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire.

Better yet, grab a blanket and some chairs and kick back and let the experts handle the show. The City of Chicago Heights annual Independence Day Fireworks display will be held at Bloom High School's North Field on Tuesday, July 3^rd this year. Bring the family for music, food, and an award winning fireworks display.

Summer Heat/Summer Safety

As the temperatures continue to rise, be mindful of heat related illnesses. Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat. Take frequent breaks if working outdoors. Heat-related illnesses can escalate rapidly, leading to delirium, organ damage and even death. Those most at risk include infants and children, the elderly, pets, individuals with heart problems, those that work outdoors, and athletes. Please continue to check on those that may fit these categories as summer sets in.

For more information on heat related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion, visit the National Safety Council’s website here.

Click image for cooling centers!

Mosquito Safety!

Mosquitoes long have been taking a bite out of warm-weather fun. Now, that bite carries with it the danger of Zika virus, West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses. Protect your home and family from the threat of these illnesses by following simple preventative measures:

To prevent mosquito bites, use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent with DEET and wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants.
Read product labels when using insect repellant and apply as directed.
Do not leave doors or windows propped open.
Once a week, scrub or empty planters, birdbaths, vases and flowerpot saucers; mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water.
Use EPA-approved indoor and outdoor flying insect spray or foggers.
Turn on air conditioning; mosquitoes prefer warm, damp and dark spaces.

Cook County Treasurer's Office Releases Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption List

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas issued a news release this week regarding senior citizens who may be missing their Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption and/or their Senior Freeze Exemption.

Applications for property tax exemptions are available from the Cook County Assessor’s Office, 118 N. Clark St., Room 320, Chicago, Illinois 60602. 312.443.7550. If the Assessor’s Office grants the application, it will issue an adjusted bill for the Second Installment of Tax Year 2017, due August 1, 2018.

To check the status of exemptions—and to get an application—visit cookcountytreasurer.com and:
• Select “Your Property Overview”
• Enter your address or Property Index Number (PIN)

Click here to read full press release.