Restore Illinois - Mitigation Tier 3

Watch an important message from Fox Valley Mayors, including Geneva's Mayor Kevin Burns.

Effective Nov. 20, Kane County is scheduled to move to the "Restore Illinois" Tier 3 mitigation plan due to rising COVID-19 cases in our region. Gatherings should be limited to household members. The Tier 3 mitigation plan calls for capacity/operating restrictions for retail stores, personal care service, health & fitness centers, hotels, manufacturing, restaurants & bars, social events, offices, and recreational activities.

Health officials also are urging people to change their behavior to stop the surge of COVID-19, including wearing your mask, watching your distance and washing your hands. People also should be avoiding large gatherings and staying home when they are ill.

Business Information

Merchants should check out the City's COVID-19 resources for Geneva businesses web page for the latest info, grant information and assistance programs to help during the pandemic. 

Reporting Violations

The Kane County Health Department is encouraging the community to report concerns about businesses that may not be taking steps to protect customers and employees by calling 630-208-3801 or sending an email. The Health Department is working with the Kane County Sheriff's Office and Kane County State's Attorney's Office to investigate and enforce violations.

Confirmed Cases

The Kane County Health Department has created an online dashboard detailing the number of confirmed coronavirus cases broken down by municipality among other categories.

City Offices Closed To The Public

Geneva’s City facilities will be closed to the public starting Friday, Nov. 20 as the state moves to the “Restore Illinois” Tier 3 COVID-19 mitigation plan. The City continues to provide public safety and essential services to the community.

The City recommends calling in advance of visiting any City building to determine if their business may be accomplished over the phone, email, online, U.S. Mail, or through the City’s utility bill payment drop boxes. People can report non-emergency concerns and find a City staff directory online. More information is available on the City's Nov. 19 news release.

For power outages taking place after-hours or on weekends, call the Geneva Police Department non-emergency number at 630-232-4736. The Records Division will then dispatch the appropriate Public Works Department personnel.

Building Permits/Development Applications

The City’s Community Development Department continues to accept and review permits and development applications. The City’s Building Division, 109 James St. (south side of City Hall), will remain open during Tier 3 mitigation. The City also introduced remote virtual inspections for some projects. Please review the department’s submission requirements. Questions can be directed to the City’s Building Division at 630-262-0280.

Commuter Parking

The City announced daily fee parking in the City’s Third Street Commuter Parking Deck and downtown commuter parking lots will be free until further notice. Read the City Council's August resolution for more information, including details on quarterly permit parking.

Events

The following events have been canceled due to COVID-19.

• Geneva Christmas Walk - Dec. 4
• Geneva Holiday House Tour, Dec. 4-5 - Geneva Chamber of Commerce's news release
• Steeple Walk, Dec. 6

Fire Department Food Donations

To keep first-responders safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Geneva Fire Department is no longer able to accept homemade food donations from residents. Firefighters appreciate the community’s generosity but hate to see good food go to waste. The department would prefer people to support Geneva’s merchants and restaurants who can remain open per the state. The Fire Department’s temporary food policy restrictions are available to view online.

Garbage/Refuse Services

All of the City’s refuse and recycling programs have returned to back to normal service levels as of June 1. 

Kane County

Kane County has reopened its electronics recycling drop-off site in Batavia and will conduct monthly recycling events starting in June.

Meetings

The Geneva City Council and City advisory board meetings are being conducted virtually to adhere to the Governor's executive order prohibiting indoor meeting gatherings of any size. 

City Council, Committee of the Whole, Historic Preservation Commission, and Planning & Zoning Commission meetings will air live on Geneva Broadcast Network (Comcast Ch. 10 and ATT U-Verse Ch. 99) and also can be watched on the City’s YouTube channel. The City has posted guidelines online for public participation at upcoming meetings, including how to submit comments in advance via email.

Meeting agendas will list any additional special instructions/protocols that may be in effect for that particular meeting. Check the City’s meeting calendar and Agenda Center for upcoming meeting dates.

Park District Closures

Please visit the Geneva Park District’s website for the latest recreational updates and available facilities.  

Public Works PSAs

Disinfecting wipes, regular wipes, baby wipes, paper towels and like items are not to be flushed down the toilet. Around the country, sewer systems are getting clogged and causing major problems. These wipes must be disposed of in the garbage because they do not break down in the sewer system. Let us all work together to make sure the City’s municipal service continues to operate.

Businesses that have been closed for an extended period due to the pandemic should make sure to freshen up their water systems before restarting their operations. With little or no water running through building water pipes and fixtures, Legionella is more likely to proliferate. Stagnant water conditions can result in discolored water, lower chlorine levels and higher concentrations of lead and copper. The American Water Works Associations have some helpful tips for office buildings, hotels, daycare facilities and other buildings that plan to reopen soon.

Resident Resources

For residents needing emotional support related to the coronavirus pandemic, the State of Illinois has established a free Call4Calm mental health hotline.

The City’s Mental Health Board is highlighting the NAMI’s resource guide, NAMI flyers, and other tips to Geneva residents to support mental health while our community adjusts to physical distancing and staying at home, perhaps more isolating than many are used to in their daily lives. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has developed a list of resources for residents, consumers and Illinois licensees impacted by COVID-19.

Unemployed as a result of the pandemic? Check out the State's "Get Hired" opportunities.

For housing resources, the State announced rental and mortgage financial assistance programs are available to the public.

Utility Billing

The City’s Finance Department is closed to the public due to Tier 3 mitigation restrictions. Residents can pay bills online, call the Finance Department at 630-232-0854, use U.S. Mail or utilizing one of the City’s dropboxes (please no cash).

The Public Works Department is once again reading meters for customers who do not have electronic (ERT) devices that automatically transmit data to the City, as long as the meter is outside and accessible. For meters that are not accessible, the City may be providing estimated reads that will be reflected in monthly utility bills.

Financial Relief

On June 14, the Geneva City Council voted to approve an economic measure to help residents who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. The City will be suspending the 5% Municipal Utility Tax for water on customers’ monthly utility bills from July 15 through Dec. 14, 2020.  

Last Updated: Dec. 1, 2020