Santa's Helpers Distribute Ornaments Made By Pre-K Elves to Seniors

Youth Commission and Office On Aging staff joined together recently to distribute Christmas ornaments to seniors during curbside meal pick-ups. The Ornaments were made by children in the Pre-K Program.

Stickney Township Urges Residents to Follow Recent Stay-At-Home Advisory

This guidance is in alignment with the State of Illinois, and in accordance with public health science. It will take effect Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 at 6 a.m., and will last at least 30 days.

• STAY HOME. As much as possible, please refrain from any non-essential activities and stay home. If you must go out for essential activities, such as work, to attend school, get tested for COVID-19, get a flu shot, or to shop for groceries:
• Wear a mask consistently and correctly over your nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with others and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others who do not live with you.
• Wash hands often with soap and warm water.
• LIMIT GATHERINGS. As much as possible, please refrain from attending or hosting gatherings with people who do not live in your household. This includes recommendations to postpone holiday gatherings or host virtual celebrations to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• LIMIT TRAVEL. As much as possible, do not engage in any non-essential travel, including vacations or trips to visit relatives or friends.
• WORK FROM HOME. As much as possible, CCDPH is calling on employers in suburban Cook County to re-establish telework protocols for staff who are able to work from home.

“Now more than ever, we must come together to stay apart,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, CCDPH Senior Medical Officer and Co-Lead. “We know limiting gatherings with friends and family can be hard, but we also know that virtual celebrations will save lives.”

COVID-19 Resurgence Mitigations Remain in Effect in Suburban Cook County

Mitigations Includes Stickney Township Communities

All communities within Stickney Township are included.

Region 4 had a 7-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8 percent or above for three consecutive days. Region 10 had eight consecutive days of increases in test positivity and seven days of increased hospital admissions making it the first region in the state to meet the metrics for additional mitigations in this way and surpass warning levels in two categories simultaneously.

The sustained increases seen in the regions exceeded the thresholds set for establishing mitigation measures under the state’s Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan.

Suburban Cook County Mitigations

Mitigation measures taking effect October 28 in Regions 4 and 10 included:

Bars and restaurants:

• All bars and restaurants close at 11pm and may reopen no earlier than 6am the following day No indoor service
• All bar and restaurant patrons should be seated at tables outside
• No ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)
• Tables should be 6 feet apart
• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
• No dancing or standing indoors
• Reservations required for each party
• No seating of multiple parties at one table

• Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity both indoors and outdoors
• No party buses
• Gaming and Casinos close at 11:00pm, are limited to 25 percent capacity, and follow mitigations for bars and restaurants, if applicable

• Continued emphasis on telework for as many workers as possible

• All sports guidance effective Aug 15, 2020 remains in effect
• Outdoor activities (not included in the above exposure settings) continue per current state guidance.

State Highlights Importance of Getting Tested Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

Administration has Increased Testing Capacity to Average of 50,000 a Day

“In the face of increasing infections, we need to promote more testing, not less, to identify new cases and interrupt further transmission,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Given that asymptomatic individuals have been linked to virus spread, we will maintain our more stringent guidance to support testing of any Illinois resident who thinks they may have been exposed, as well as asymptomatic close contacts of confirmed cases 5-7 days post exposure.”

The recent change in federal guidelines on COVID-19 testing does not recommend asymptomatic individuals who come into close contact with a confirmed case be tested for the deadly virus. Many individuals who test positive for COVID-19 have not reported having symptoms. However, scientific studies have proven that those individuals are still able to spread the disease to family, friends, and members of their community who may become sick and require medical attention and even hospitalization, especially for those with underlying health conditions. Illinois will continue advising anyone who comes into close contact with a confirmed case be tested.

There are almost 300 testing sites in Illinois, including 11 state operated community-based testing sites and 12 mobile testing teams that collect specimens at facilities experiencing outbreaks (such as nursing homes and correctional centers) and areas around the state reporting increased cases. Additionally, IDPH is deploying its Wellness on Wheels mobile unit to hotspots around the state to work with local health providers to collect specimens. Testing at state operated sites is at no cost to the individual, as are several other sites. More information about locations, times, and requirements can be found at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/testing.

First Coronavirus Related Death in Stickney Township Reported

“Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time,” said Health Board President Louis Viverito. “We had hoped we would not see this happen, but have been aware of the risk, especially to older adults. It is important that everyone follows the social distancing measures, not only to protect you and your family but also the most vulnerable in our community. The Health District and Stickney Township will continue to provide essential services and support to the residents of our community.”

Please visit www.stickneypublichealthdistrict.org for the latest information on COVID-19. It is imperative that we all follow social distancing rules, wash your hands frequently and if you are sick stay home.

EPA RECOGNIZES STICKNEY TOWNSHIP FOR LEADING GREEN POWER USE

According to the EPA, Stickney Township is using about 1,904,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, providing residents in the aggregation program 100 percent green energy. The EPA requires partners to meet at least 25 percent of the Stickney Township’s electricity use. This green power comes from wind, solar and other renewable sources. By using renewable energy and setting this goal, Stickney Township is helping advance the voluntary market for green power and development of those sources.

“This is a huge honor and we are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said Township Supervisor Louis Viverito. “Using green power helps our community lower its emissions footprint, while also sending a message to others across the country that green power is an affordable, accessible choice.”

By moving the needle in the voluntary green power market, Stickney Township and other Green Power Partners are helping to reduce the negative health impacts of air emissions including those related to ozone, fine particles, acid rain, and regional haze. Together, Green Power Partners are collectively using more green power annually than the electricity consumed by Montana and Utah combined.

Under the leadership of Supervisor Viverito, Stickney Township has used its energy consultant, Illinois Energy Aggregation LLC (IEA) to solicit quotes for the township’s residential aggregation program and the electricity supply for the township’s own buildings. IEA Managing Member Robert Streit praised Supervisor Viverito’s vision and the entire board’s commitment to green energy.

“Supervisor Viverito had a vision for 100 percent green energy and the entire board of Trustees was committed to not only using green energy at the township’s facilities but also providing this product to the residents to allow homeowners and small businesses to be part of protecting the environment for future generations,” said Streit.

Streit also thanked Eligo Energy, which is the alternative retail supplier of the green energy for the township’s aggregation program and the building supply. “Eligo has been a great provider for the township,” stated Streit. Officials from both IEA and Eligo presented a Certificate of Partnership to Supervisor Viverito and the Stickney Township Board on Monday, January 27th at a Township Board Meeting.

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that helps increase green power use among U.S. organizations to advance the American market for green power and development of those sources as a way to reduce air pollution and other environmental impacts associated with electricity use. The Partnership currently has almost 1,500 Partners voluntarily using more than 60 billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500® companies; small and medium sized businesses; local, state, and federal governments; and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.

Stickney Township Salutes Our Vets

Township Supervisor Louis S. Viverito recognized Veterans of our Armed Services during the 2019 Stickney Township Salute to Veterans Event held last December at the LSV Senior Center and at the Township's North Clinic building.

Veterans were encouraged to bring photos and memorabilia from their time in the service.

Children from the Township Pre-K program distributed thank you cards they made for the Veterans.

Township Supervisor Louis S. Viverito looks on as children from the Pre-K program at North perform patriotic songs for the Veterans.

Township Supervisor Louis S. Viverito was joined by Township Trustee Louise Zelinski and Township Trustee Frank Pajak for the Stickney Salute to Veterans Event at the North Clinic Building.

Township Day 2019

Due to COVID 19 health concerns Township Day 2020 Events Were Cancelled

Stickney Township elected officials joined staff in distributing informational material, along with tee shirts and ice cream, to promote township services during the 2019 Township Day.

Stickney Township Supervisor Louis S. Viverito greeted area families at the annual event.

A Truck Rodeo featured Township service vehicles and an opportunity for kids to see them from a different point of view.

Blood pressure and blood tests were available from the Stickney Township Public Health Department. Township Clerk Hector Cesario is pictured getting his check up.

Age Options Looking for Area Input

Complete the needs assessment survey HERE.

National Health and Nutrition Survey Eyes South Cook with a Focus on Seniors and Minorities

The Stickney Township Public Health District has been notified that NCHS personnel will be conducting the survey in Southern Cook County starting April 28, 2019 through July 4, 2019. A sample of about 627 people from the area will be asked to participate. Data is collected through household interviews and standardized medical examinations in a survey mobile examination center.

The sample for the survey is selected to represent the U.S. population of all ages. To produce reliable statistics, NHANES oversamples people 60 and over, African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics.

Since the United States has experienced dramatic growth in the number of older people during this century, the aging population has major implications for health care needs, public policy, and research priorities. NCHS is working with public health agencies to increase the knowledge of the health status of older Americans. NHANES has a primary role in this endeavor.

All participants visit the physician. Dietary interviews and body measurements are included for everyone. All but the very young have a blood sample taken and will see the dentist. Depending upon the age of the participant, the rest of the examination includes tests and procedures to assess the various aspects of health listed above. In general, the older the individual, the more extensive the examination.

NHANES is designed to facilitate and encourage participation. Transportation is provided to and from the mobile centers if necessary. Participants each receive compensation and a report of their medical findings. All information collected in the survey is kept confidential. Privacy is protected by public laws. More information can be found on the cdc website here.

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