By Joe Boyle
Evergreen Park Mayor James Sexton is pleased that vaccines will be available to the public in the fight against COVID-19, but warned residents that there is still a long road ahead.
"We are doing a lot of testing," Sexton said during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting on Dec. 21. "But we did have a couple of more deaths since our last meeting. So, please, this thing is not over yet. We have to continue to be diligent until the vaccines are readily available."
The Pfizer vaccine was approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) on Dec. 11. The second vaccine, Moderna, was approved a week later and was being distributed in the U.S. beginning on Dec. 21.
The mayor did thank Cook County Board Commissioners Stanley Moore (D-4th) and John Daley (D-11th) for assisting in providing free COVID-19 testings in the village. The tests were held just outside the Evergreen Park Community Center.
"We want to thank the County for providing the COVID tests," Sexton said. "We had over 1,500 tests done over three consecutive Fridays. I even went myself. It was nice and easy, just a swab under the tongue."
Residents who received the tests knew within a few days what the results were, Sexton said.
Sexton mentioned that he received a letter from resident Dennis Hallberg thanking the village for providing the free COVID-19 tests.
Trustee James McQuillan asked the mayor if the COVID-19 tests would continue in the future. The mayor replied that since the holidays were approaching, the tests would be postponed for a couple of weeks. However, he still had to find out if the tests would proceed in January.
Other municipalities have seen a rise in COVID-19 cases. As of Dec. 23, Hickory Hills has reported 852 confirmed cumulative cases and 16 COVID-19 related deaths during the past year.
Sexton said that proposed appropriation ordinance for the fiscal year beginning Nov. 1, 2020 and ending Oct. 31, 2021 would take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19
The pandemic has created havoc for many businesses and organization the past year. However, the mayor mentioned that the golf range at 9100 S. Rockwell has done surprisingly well.
"We still have a lot of golfers coming out," Sexton said. "We made over $110,000 this past year. That is pretty good."
The Daniel V. Capuano Ice Rink is open at Yukich Fields, 8900 S. Kedzie Ave. Residents can contact the Evergreen Park Recreation Department, (708) 229-3373, for the current hours.
Applications for a business certificate was approved for OSF Oncall Urgent Care, 2917 W. 95th St. The facility will be an OSF health care urgent care clinic.
A 7-Eleven at 2747 W. 95th St. applied for and was approved an ownership change. The convenience store also has a gas station.
A license was also granted for Charley's Philly Steaks at 9611 S. Pulaski Road. This will be primarily a sandwich shop.
Village Hall will be closed at noon today (Thursday, Jan. 31) for New Year's Eve. Village Hall will be closed on New Year's Day and will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 2.