Last updated 4/10/2020
Visit the Village’s comprehensive COVID-19 Pandemic information page.
All Village facilities are closed to the public until further notice except for the Niles Police Department. The Police Department does request that the public limit in-person interaction and submit payments or police reports online when possible. Residents can rest assured that Fire, Police, water, and Public Works services are all continuing. Many Village services are still available to residents remotely. See information below.
As a reminder, garbage collection by Groot will continue as usual. However loose items that are not in a bag or cart will NOT be accepted at this time. Furniture and other large items must NOT be placed curbside at this time. Yard waste and branch collection began the week of April 1, as scheduled. Textile recycling is suspended until further notice.
The Village sent out a "Reverse 9-1-1" automated call on 4/3/2020 with COVID-19 reminders. Hear the message by calling (847) 588-8080.
Businesses
The Village is maintaining a separate COVID-19 information page for businesses. Many local, county, state, and federal assistance programs have been announced, and are detailed on that page.
New Message from Mayor Przybylo - March 31st
Mayor Andrew Przybylo is releasing periodic statements to the public regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Please view the Mayor’s latest video, dated March 31st, on YouTube.
Food Pantry - Donations Welcomed
The Niles Family Services food pantry and financial assistance program are available by appointment, and donations are welcomed. Visit the Niles Family Services food pantry page for a list of needed items and how to donate.
You can also now donate groceries to Niles Family Services through an online campaign started by District 63 at yougivegoods.com/niles-fooddrive.
State Senator Villivalam has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for area food pantries. Here is the direct link to the fundraiser page.
Human Services - Tools to Help Neighbors
Niles Family Services encourages neighbors to look out for one another. You know someone in need please contact (847) 588-8460 or print a Neighbor Care Card and leave for a vulnerable resident who may need assistance. Those who may need extra assistance are encouraged to notify the Village through Family Services at (847) 588-8460.
Niles Red and Green "Flag System": The Village of Niles has introduced a “flag system.” Neighbors who may need extra assistance from time to time are encouraged to hang a green card in their window. If you need assistance, replace it with a red card. For anyone who sees a red “flag,” call Niles Family Services at (847) 588-8460. For emergencies, always dial 9-1-1. Any paper or fabric is fine to use to create these red and green cards, but in order to maintain social distancing please find something within your home. You can also write "ASSIST" on a paper and post in your window (make it large!).
The Meals On Wheels program continues as usual at this time, although meals will now be left on doorsteps instead of handed over directly to reduce person-to-person contact. The Medical Lending Closet is available by appointment. Call (847) 588-8420.
Feeling restless sitting at home? The Niles Senior Center has collected fun and engaging activities for all ages from around the web on their Virtual Entertainment page.
Stay-At-Home Order
Governor Pritzker has issued a "Stay-at-Home" order, effective 3/21/2020 at 5pm. The order has been extended through April 30, 2020. Information specific to the stay-at-home order can be found in the separate Stay-At-Home Executive Order news flash. The Village is also maintaining a COVID-19 information page for businesses.
Contact the Village
The Village is still providing many services to residents and businesses. Residents are encouraged to contact the Village online with any inquiries, and if they need assistance with services. The Village’s online Citizen Request Tracker has 47 categories of service requests. Residents can also call the usual Village phone numbers to contact staff or receive services. Not all services will be available, and response times may be slower. A list of detailed service information can be found below.
- Village Hall Administration and Finance (847) 588-8000
- Community Development (847) 588-8040
- Public Works (847) 588-7900
- Niles Senior Center (including Meals on Wheels and Lending Closet) (847) 588- 8420
- Niles Family Services (including Food Pantry and crisis team) (847) 588-8460
The Village strongly encourages residents and businesses to use online services as much as possible at www.vniles.com. Transactions such as utility bill payment can be completed through the Village’s website, via the Village Hall outdoor depository box, or by mail – Village of Niles, 1000 Civic Center Drive Niles, IL 60714.
Confirmed COVID Cases
The Cook County Department of Public Health maintains records regarding the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the area, including in Niles. The Village of Niles does not receive information on overall COVID-19 cases directly, but staff will periodically check for updates to include on this page.
As of 4/10/2020, the Cook County Department of Public Health is reporting 69 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Niles residents. To view up-to-date numbers for cases in Niles, please visit the Cook County Department of Public Health’s "COVID-19 Surveillance Data" page and click on "Map."
Niles Free Bus
The Niles Free Bus is using its weekend schedule, with no early morning runs, 7 days a week as of Tuesday, March 24 (the first run will switch to a 9:33am start time for the 411 route, 9:43am for the 410 route and 9:30 for the 412 route).
Garbage Collection and Textile Recycling
Garbage collection by Groot will continue as usual. However loose items that are not in a bag or cart will NOT be accepted at this time. Furniture and other large items must NOT be placed curbside at this time. Yard waste and branch collection is beginning the week of April 1, as scheduled. Textile recycling is suspended until further notice.
Emergency Declaration
The Village Board of Trustees has made an emergency declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration gives emergency powers to the Mayor, Board, and Village Manager to respond to emergency situations quickly without going through formal steps such as Board review at a public meeting. These powers can help with functions such as emergency purchases, and changing employment policies to ensure pay for employees, to allow employees to work remotely, etc. The March 17 online meeting packet contains the full emergency documents.
Administration/Community Development
The Village is still providing services to residents and businesses such as transfer stamps, available by appointment by calling 8040.
Village public meetings, including all Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Workshops, have been postponed until further notice.
The Village is no longer issuing permits for door-to-door commercial solicitation until further notice.
Niles Police Department
The Niles Police Department is suspending the following non-emergency services until further notice: fingerprinting, child safety seat inspections, disability parking placards, ride-alongs, station tours and department presentations. While the lobby of the Police Department is open, individuals are encouraged to pay citations or file police reports online, when possible, to avoid person-to-person contact.
Crime Free Housing classes are canceled until further notice.
Additional Information
The Village’s decisions are made based upon guidance from the CDC that recommends limiting in-person interactions to prevent exposure and spread of COVID-19. As always, the Village’s top priority is to promote the health and safety of its residents, customers, employees and community.
The Village of Niles reminds residents to practice common-sense hygiene such as washing hands and covering coughs as the best method of preventing the spread of infectious disease. Most importantly, individuals should stay home when feeling sick.
For the latest updates from the Village of Niles, residents should visit the Village website at www.vniles.com and sign up for emergency alerts and the e-newsletter at www.vniles.com/alert. For current, authoritative information on the novel Coronavirus, please visit the Center for Disease Control website at cdc.gov, or the Illinois Department of Health at dph.illinois.gov.