City invokes Incident Command with hospital, schools in collaboration with the Madison County Health Department.

city shields

 

City of Highland
Public Safety Department

Christopher J. Conrad, Public Safety Director



PRESS RELEASE

In response to the National and State Declarations of Emergency surrounding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic, Mayor Michaelis has signed a Proclamation of Emergency for the City of Highland to allow city officials and emergency services to work with outside agencies towards the resolution of this public health emergency.

On Monday, March 16, 2020, the City of Highland will begin a combined Incident Command Team with HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital-Highland, Highland Community School District No. 5, and the Highland-Pierron Fire Protection District and in collaboration with the Madison County Health Department. The mission of this combined incident command team is to provide for the public safety and health of the Highland Area served by these organizations and to support the mission of St. Joseph’s Hospital-Highland in the treatment of those in need of in-person emergency medical treatment. This combined Incident Command Team will be in effect for the duration of this crisis and will stand down upon the conclusion of the events that have caused these emergency declarations.

We want to stress with all citizens the need to exercise responsible and disciplined social distancing. Make decisions on your movement and associations with consideration to the potential for exposure and transmission. Please be especially cautious of movements and associations that involve potential cross-community exposures and transmissions. The benefit to living in a small town is that we can, more so than large communities, be more responsible with our movements and better contain the potential transmission of viruses.

In an effort to mitigate the exposure and transmission of the COVID-19 (coronavirus), State, National and City Officials have ordered the following actions and closures:

  • All public events over 250 people are to be canceled or postponed.
  • All schools in the State of Illinois are closed effective March 17th through March 30th,. In addition the Highland school parking lots will also be closed to the public.
  • Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Highland City Hall and Building and Zoning Departments will be restricted to screened appointments only, meaning admittance will only be by appointment. Citizens should call 618-654-9891 to make an appointment or visit the City of Highland Citizen Portal at: https://www.highlandil.gov/ to request City Services.
  • To prevent secondary exposure and transmission points with the closure of schools, the Korte Recreation Center and the Weinheimer Community Center will be closed upon close of business Monday, March 16th, 2020 until school resumes.
  • The City Council meeting for March 16, 2020 at 7pm will be held. The meeting will be streamed live on the City Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/City-of-Highland-Illinois-Government-214074931954937/ Anyone wishing to make a public comment who is uncomfortable attending the meeting in person, may submit their comments through the City Portal Citizen Action Page under the option of “comment for council” located at: https://www.highlandil.gov/citizen_request_center_app/index.php Comments submitted through the portal by 5pm on Monday, March 16, 2020, will be read into the record by the city clerk during the public comments section of the meeting. Comments submitted after 5pm will be read into the record of the following and successive council meetings.
  • The Highland Chamber of Commerce has canceled all public events until a time to be determined.
  • The Highland Speedway has canceled all events until further notice including the Swap meet planned for the weekend of March 22nd.
  • Effective at 12:01am, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the State has ordered the closure of all bars and restaurants and “liquor pouring establishments” for walk-in service. It is our understanding that businesses will still be allowed to offer delivery and curbside food service. This order is very new and more details will likely be forthcoming.
  • The Louis Latzer Memorial Library will be closed to the public effective Tuesday, March 17th, 2020. Staff will be available by phone and social media for reference calls and questions Monday-Friday, 9-5pm.

Other events and services not effected:

  • Meals on Wheels program offered through HSHS St. Joseph’s Highland will not be impacted. Contact 618-954-0356
  • Retailers Wal-Mart and Ruler Foods are implementing modified hours to allow staff to re-stock, and clean facilities.
  • City Electric and Highland Communication Services will operate as normal, but home appointments and installations will be by screened appointments only.
  • All other city services will continue as normal.

Highland is a wonderful community and we do a fantastic job of taking care of each other and our neighbors. Please keep in contact with those most vulnerable in our community so they are not forgotten if they are home-bound. If you have a loved one or neighbor who is in need of a welfare check, please do not hesitate to contact the Highland Police Department at 618-654-2131.