City Awarded $250k to Combat Blight

At the June 5th City Council meeting, Mayor Gonzalez announced that the City of Chicago Heights was awarded $250,000 through the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Program (APP) grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). This is the fourth grant the city received through the APP program totaling over $800,000 in funding to date. IHDA has awarded funds across Illinois to help spur community redevelopment through the elimination of blighted and abandoned properties. The City of Chicago Heights utilizes funds awarded under the APP program to secure and board-up abandoned buildings; as well as maintain abandoned properties and vacant lots.

Click here for more information on Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).

Morning of Remembrance

The City of Chicago Heights hosted its annual Memorial Day ceremony. The ceremony is a time to pause and reflect, to honor the memory of those who served and lost their lives, and to remember the families and loved ones who were left behind to grieve their loss.
Staff Sergeant Silverhorn of the Army Reserves called the ceremony to order, followed by the posting of the colors by the Bloom High School Jr. Navy ROTC. After local resident Jasmin Cree Garner sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, heads were bowed as Pastor Dr. James R. Flint of Union Evangelistic Baptist Church delivered the invocation. Boy Scout Troop 112 then performed a poem in honor of the memory of those who served.
Mayor David A. Gonzalez’s spoke eloquently about the sacrifices of the men and women, our fallen soldiers, who served in the Armed Forces. A somber moment was observed as Mayor Gonzalez and members of Boy Scout Troop 112, placed the wreath honoring our fallen. Catholic War Veterans Post 1060 conducted the closing 21 gun salute and Pastor Flint offered the final benediction, while Bloom High School NJROTC performed the retiring of the colors.

Citywide Cleanup 2019

On Saturday, May 18th, Mayor Gonzalez joined a large group of volunteers who gathered to spend the morning tidying up neighborhoods all over the City of Chicago Heights. Volunteers included students and staff from Bloom High School and Marian Catholic High School, local community groups, residents, and members of the City's staff, who helped keep everything moving smoothly.
In addition to the cleanup teams, the City partnered with Republic Services to provide a disposal drop-off, allowing residents a free and clean option for getting rid of furniture, small electronics, and other waste.

The Torch Runs Through Chicago Heights

The City of Chicago Heights Police Department participated again this year in the Annual Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois. Dozens of law enforcement officials and athletes came out to run for the event that helps raise money for Special Olympics Illinois and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an intrastate relay consisting of various fundraising projects. More than 1,000 people carry the Flame of Hope while running, cycling, and rollerblading over 1,500 miles, through hundreds of communities before the flame is ultimately delivered to Bloomington-Normal for the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics.
Since beginning three decades ago the Law Enforcement Torch Run has since grown into the largest fundraising vehicle for Special Olympics Illinois, raising nearly $51 million over 31 years, while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments.

For more information on the Special Olympics of Illinois, click here.

City of Chicago Heights Torch Run Participants Running with Stroller 2019

Cook County Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Residents Invited to Participate in Survey/Meetings for Update to Hazard Mitigation Plan

Cook County’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is updating the Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) to prepare for natural disasters and their impacts. And they want residents’ input.

DHSEM is hosting a series of public meetings to share details about the planning process with residents. The meetings will be held:

Monday, June 10

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton St.
Skokie, IL 60077

DHSEM is also asking residents to take a 10-minute survey about natural hazards in Cook County. This voluntary and confidential questionnaire will assist DHSEM in identifying which hazards are of greatest concern to residents and businesses as well as which services the community may need during an emergency.
Survey questions include:

Please indicate those activities you have done to prepare for emergencies and disasters.
What might prevent you from leaving your place of residence if there was an evacuation order?
In an evacuation, would you or anyone in your household require special assistance?

Residents will have the opportunity to complete the survey at the public meetings. They can also visit https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4967666/2019-Cook-County-Community-Preparedness-Survey-copy .
Survey responses will be collected through June 10.

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Click here for Construction Updates and road closure information

Bike Rodeo Saturday June 8, 2019 Commissioners Park

Bike Rodeo Saturday June 8, 2019
Rain Date June 29th

News Around Town

Visit our Community Events page for information on upcoming and ongoing events!

Driving the Dixie!
Saturday, June 15, 2019

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