East Dundee village leaders on Monday declared a state of emergency, allowing the village to receive funding from certain state and federal sources and to waive some code and bidding requirements during the coronavirus outbreak.
Village President Lael Miller made the state of emergency declaration and village trustees approved it during a special meeting Monday morning.
“East Dundee needs every tool at its disposal right now to prepare and weather this storm and I want us to be prepared for all contingencies,” Miller said.
The declaration is not intended to cause panic, he said.
“Declaring a formal state of emergency in East Dundee … is an administrative decision that allows us to act with haste when needed and avoid red tape,” Miller said. “Everything will still be transparent and in the public record.”
His two largest concerns are the health and safety of residents and the economic fallout due to the shutdown, he said.
Miller emphasized residents should stay home if they are not essential workers. He anticipates it will be several weeks before the number of coronavirus cases goes down.
Miller said he is talking with area state and federal representatives regarding funding to help residents and businesses get through the crisis.
“Many people lost their income last week, and more will in the coming weeks. The economic fallout from this will be huge and long-lasting unless Congress can implement an immediate economic stimulus package. I will continue pushing for fast action on a massive scale,” he said.
Area small business owners are encouraged to look into the Small Business Administration’s coronavirus disaster loan program. Information and applications can be found at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
East Dundee will post information on economic stimulus packages as it becomes available on the village’s coronavirus Facebook page.
Miller is urging residents not to panic-buy and hoard supplies amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“I am hearing stories of healthcare professionals that are coming home from 12-hour shifts, only to find no food or supplies at the store for their families. Hoarding toilet paper and meat is unnecessary and downright harmful,” he said. “There will not be a shortage of supplies unless people create it out of fear.”
Grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations are not closing, Miller said.
“We need to get through this as a community. This country has survived many wars and tragedies before. We will get through this,” he said.
