COVID-19 – Troy Township Updates

 COVID-19 Executive Orders Issued by Governor Pritzker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 28, 2020

Troy Township to Open to the Public, with Restrictions, on Monday, June 1, 2020
A Message from Supervisor Joseph D. Baltz and Assessor Kimberly Anderson
 May 28, 2020…UPDATED July 22, 2020

 As the State of Illinois moves into Phase 3 of the Governors Restore Illinois Plan, we are pleased to announce that our Township offices will open to the public, with restrictions, starting

Monday, June 1, 2020

 While we will be opening our doors to the public, it will be on a limited basis with restrictions. Therefore, you should always call the office first before coming in. There are many times when we will be able to assist you over the phone and a visit is not needed. 

If visiting the office in person we have some very specific and important procedures that must be followed. Our office will be following social distancing guidelines for your safety, the safety of our other guests, and the safety of our employees.

For anyone wishing to visit our office in person:

• Do not come to the office if you are sick, have recently been sick, or have recently been around someone who is sick.
• Masks are required for all who enter. Please make sure to wear your mask properly before entering the building.
• Follow the instructions below and, upon entry to the building, follow all signs and instructions.
• Enter the building through the office entrance (south side of building, closest to Seil Rd.)

Different services require different procedures for visiting the office. Therefore, instructions are provided based on the service needed.

Unfortunately, group activities in our Community Center remain suspended until further notice. We wish to thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. Visit www.troytownship.com for the most current information.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 9, 2020

Troy Township April 14, 2020 Annual Town Meeting is Suspended

The Township Code, 60 ILCS 1/30-5(a) and 30-5(b) require that townships in Illinois conduct an Annual Town Meeting on the second Tuesday in April or the third Tuesday in April if conflicting with Passover. Troy Township’s Annual Town Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

Due to the current pandemic Governor Pritzker has issued an executive order suspended the Annual Town Meeting. EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-22 Executive Order in Response to COVID-19 (COVID-19 Executive Order No. 20) issued on April 7, 2020 states in part:

Section1: The provisions of the Township Code, 60 ILCS 1/30-5(a) and 30-5(b), requiring that each township’s annual meeting for calendar year 2020 be held on either April 14, 2020 or April 21,2020 are SUSPENDED through the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation.
Copies of the COVID-19 Executive Orders can be viewed at:
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/coronavirus/Resources/Pages/ExecutiveOrders.aspx

Information on a rescheduled date and time will be published at a later date and once clearance has been given to resume gatherings.

Please visit www.troytownship.com for the most up to date information.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 19, 2020 

 As the COVID-19 Pandemic progresses, Troy Township has made the decision to remain closed to the public through April 7, 2020 (extended indefinitely) to coincide with the Governor’s Stay at Home order. We are doing this for the safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff.

We are still here for you. We have compiled a Resource List for our residents which contains valuable information on local stores, where to get assistance, unemployment, etc.

Our Township essential services are still functioning. Our staff can be reached for assistance by using the contact information on the home page of our website. Stay safe and be well. We will get through this together.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Thursday, March 19, 2020 

In an effort to keep our residents informed, Troy Township has created a COVID-19 Resource List. We know that this list is not inclusive all all available resources. We will do our best to update this list as we learn of new services and an events unfold.RESOURCE LIST

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
A Statement from Troy Township Supervisor Joseph D. Baltz
Troy Township Offices and Community Center Closed to the Public
with Limited Essential Only Services Starting March 18, 2020

In light of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) recommends that we isolate ourselves as much as possible and follow some simple hygiene steps to minimize our exposure to coming in contact with or transmitting the Coronavirus. Because of the severity of the Pandemic and with these recommendations from the CDC in mind, the Township has decided to take the following steps.

The Township Offices and Community Center will be closed to the public starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020, for an estimated two-week period. Our re-open has been extended indefinitely, but as the Pandemic evolves, we will re-evaluate and will update as needed. 

I wish to assure everyone: THIS IS NOT A CLOSURE OF OUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES!

Troy Township will continue to conduct its regular board meetings, committee meetings, and bid openings to facilitate the continued smooth operation of the Township’s business.

Although the Township office will have very limited, if any, on-site staff, there will be staff working remotely who will have the ability to communicate via email and phone with our Township residents. Voicemail messages and emails will be returned (contact information provided below). The Township will continue to provide essential services such as the Micro Food Pantry, General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and Salvation Army Assistance. If there is a need for in-person meetings, that will be addressed on a case by case basis. Our Highway Department will continue to monitor our Township roads, and the Highway yard will remain open for people to drop off recycling. We will also take time to do a thorough cleaning of the Offices and Community Center during the closure.

At this time all Community Center programs are suspended, including

• The Township Senior Program (Wednesdays & Fridays)
• Joliet Quilters Guild (Mondays)
• TOPS (Thursdays)
• All AARP Tax Preparation Appointments
• Crochet & Knitting group (April 2nd)
• Evening Educational Seminar “What is Joliet Hospice” (March 19th)
• Village of Shorewood Community Garden Open House (April 9th)
• Secretary of State Mobile Drivers’ Services Unit & Rules of the Road Review Course (April 14th

We expect the above list to grow as time goes on, and we do not currently have a date as to when these programs might resume.

Regarding exemptions, on March 13, 2020 Will County Supervisor of Assessments Rhonda Novak reported that there will be delay in the mailing and processing of all renewal exemption applications including the 2020 Senior Freeze Exemption and the 2020 Disabled Persons and Disabled Veterans renewals and new applications. She assures that the applications will still be available and that they will extend some of the deadlines regarding the submission of such due to the delay in their release. Please be patient and wait for the forms to be mailed. Please call or email our office with your questions.

Contact Information for Troy Township Offices During the Covid-19 Closure:

Assessor’s Office regarding property assessments, property exemptions, etc.
Phone: 815-744-5806 DIAL EXTENSION 299. Please leave a message in the general delivery mailbox and your call will be returned.
Email: Assessor@troytownship.com

Supervisor’s Office regarding Community Center programs, General or Emergency Assistance:
Phone: 815-744-1968 DIAL EXTENSION 298. Please leave a message in the general delivery mailbox and your call will be returned.
Email: information@troytownsihp.com

These are unprecedented times for our Township, State, Country and the entire world. We are taking these steps because of our utmost care and concern for our Township residents and our staff members. Although the office is physically closed, WE ARE STILL HERE FOR YOU. Please call or email us using the contact information above.

As you go on with your day-to-day activities, please remember to follow the CDC guidelines and these simple steps to minimize our exposure to coming in contact with or transmitting the Coronavirus:

1. HANDS wash them often.
2. ELBOW cough into it.
3. FACE don’t touch it.
4. DISTANCE stay more than 3ft apart.
5. FEEL SICK? Stay home.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 16, 2020

The Township was notified today that AARP has suspended the AARP Free Tax Preparation program. Per AARP:
“AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Sites Service Suspended Until Further Notice
As coronavirus (COVID-19) developments change hour by hour, AARP Foundation is doing its part to flatten the curve of transmission. A top priority for us is ensuring we are protecting those most at risk, including our volunteers and taxpayers. Therefore, we are suspending AARP Foundation Tax-Aide services beginning March 16 until further notice.

We will continue to assess whether we can open again in some or all sites for the remainder of the tax season and if the tax season is extended. Check this web page periodically or call 1-888-227-7669 for updates about the status of Tax-Aide sites.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 12, 2020
A Statement from Troy Township Supervisor Joseph D. Baltz (click here for pdf)

This morning the Township received guidance from the Illinois Department on Aging stating in part:

“Illinois older adults are among the highest risk population group for becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. Locations where seniors gather such as congregate meal sites and senior centers may increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19 and community spreading of the virus. On Monday, March 9, 2020, Governor JB Pritzker declared a state of emergency based on new guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and evidence emerging across other countries and throughout the United States.

The Illinois Department on Aging is requesting all Area Agencies on Aging to immediately suspend all gathering activities placing our older adults at heightened risk including the provision of congregate meals and social activities conducted in group settings.”

Because the majority of the programs offered in our Township Community Center cater to senior citizens, the most vulnerable population with regards to COVID-19, I have made the difficult decision to suspend all non-essential activities and gatherings in our Township Community Center until further notice.

Suspended activities at the Township include the Township’s Wednesday/Friday Senior Program, Joliet Quilters Guild (Mondays), TOPS (Thursdays), Crochet & Knitting group, and all evening educational seminars. Township staff will be reaching out to our Township Senior Program attendees and to the leaders of the Quilters and TOPS programs. Participants in the Quilters and TOPS program should reach out to their respective leaders for more direction on your future meetings. This information will also be posted to our Township website at www.troytownship.com.

Meetings of the Township Board, election activities, and AARP Tax Preparation (AARP Tax Prep cancelled as of 3/16/20) will be considered essential functions and will continue as planned.

Our greatest concern is for the health and safety of our Township residents and our staff. We will continue to monitor the situation and are hopeful to resume regular activities as soon as possible.

For questions about any of our Troy Township programs or services, please call 815-744-1968.

Helpful Resources on COVID-19:
What are the Symptoms of COVID-19?
Ways to Stop the Spread of COVID-19. 
Who Is at Higher Risk for Coronavirus?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Coronavirus Disease 2019