Mayoral Update
The City of Morrison continues to closely monitor developments regarding coronavirus (COVID-19), including information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health. As recommended precautions and mandates from the State have, and will likely continue, to affect the City of Morrison’s typical operating procedures, comprehensive information is provided below on changes to City services, events, and policies. As new information is continually arising, this information is subject to change and will be updated as promptly as possible as changes are made.
City Facilities
All City of Morrison facilities, including City Hall, will be closed to the public until further notice. Odell Public Library is also closed and the Community Room, located within the library, has suspended taking any new reservations.
City employees will continue to be available via phone or email to answer any questions you might have regarding a city service. Please call (815) 772-7650 or reference the list below for specific questions and/or departments.
Billing, change of address, or setting up a new account: Shelli Davis – sdavis@morrisonil.org
City vendors, deliveries, permits, and other questions: Barb King – bking@morrisonil.org
City-owned properties, permits, applications, and other services – Public Services Director, Lori Matlack: lmatlack@morrisonil.org
Parks and Recreation – Katie Selburg: parksandrec@morrisonil.org
City Administrator, Barry Dykhuizen: bdykhuizen@morrisonil.org
Chief of Police, Brian Melton: bmelton@morrisonil.org
Mayor, Everett Pannier: mayor@morrisonil.org
If you do not know whom to contact, email any staff member and your question will be forwarded to the appropriate person..
City Services
Police – The Morrison Police Department is fully operational and in service to the community. The non-emergency phone number is (815) 772-7650
Fire – The Morrison Fire Department is fully operational and there are no changes to their ability to respond.
Refuse – Moring Disposal continues to operate for solid waste and recycling pick-up as normally scheduled. All offices, as well as the Lanark and Freeport Transfer Stations are closed to the public, but staff are available for phone calls during normal business hours.
Yard Waste – Yard waste pick-up has begun for the season and is running as scheduled with pick-ups occurring each week on Monday. Reminder, yard waste must be placed curbside in yard waste bags or tied in bundles not exceeding 48 inches in length and 50 pounds in weight. Yard waste shall not be mixed with household refuse/garbage.
Electric – ComEd employees and contractors are taking the appropriate precautions during this time and electrical services should not be impacted. ComEd has announced that they are suspending disconnects for customers unable to pay their bills and waiving new late payments charges through at least June 1st. Customers who may be experiencing financial hardship should visit ComEd.com/CARE or call (800) 334-7661
Water – If you have a plumbing emergency on your property call a plumber first. If they determine the problem is originating in a publicly owned line, and not your line, they will notify city personnel.
Solicitors – There will be no peddler/solicitor permits issued from the City of Morrison, with exception to the 2020 Census Takers, until further notice..
Utility Bill Payment
Online – https://www.courtmoney.com/payments/info/form/morrison_illinois_utility_payments
Drop Box – A drop box is located at City Hall (200 W. Main Street) between the south side, outside doors. The drop box is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contents are emptied each morning and the City is not responsible for cash payments made through the drop box.
Auto Pay – Enroll in auto-pay and your payment will be made on the due date of each month. There is no additional fee associated with auto-pay. All that is needed to enroll is your bank routing number and account number. If not already signed up for this service, please call (815)772-7657.
Payment of other items, such as City ordinance tickets, permit fees, etc. can also be made utilizing the drop-box or online options..
Parks and Recreation
All city parks and walking paths are currently open! Patrons are encouraged to enjoy all open areas of our parks yet continue to follow CDC social distancing guidelines when others are near.
City basketball courts, tennis courts, and playgrounds are closed until further notice. Morrison Schools have also closed all their playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts.
We also remind you that the Governor’s Executive Order #10 states, “all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside of a single household or living unit are prohibited.” The Morrison Police Department will continue to monitor all parks and public areas and disband those gathered, if not from the same household.
Morrison-Rockwood State Park is scheduled to re-open portions of park access on May 1st. Please visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for more details: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/closures/Pages/ParksOpenDuringCoVID19.aspx.
Public Meetings
Until further notice, Morrison City Council meetings will be held in the Community Room at Odell Public Library in order to accommodate social distancing requirements for all those in attendance.
City Council meetings continue to be open to the public; however, residents are encouraged to contact their alderman directly with comments or concerns, in lieu of attending a meeting in person.
Agendas and minutes from all city meetings will continue to be posted on the City’s website. Meetings have the potential to be canceled and will be noted as such on the City’s website.
Boards and commissions will continue to meet, as needed. Please check the calendar on the homepage of this website for cancellations and up-to-date meeting information..
Economic Assistance for Businesses
There are many resources available to help those individuals and businesses struggling during this unprecedented time. Each of the organizations listed below specialize in supporting small businesses and applying for assistance. Please contact them directly for questions and support regarding all state and federal grants and loans. As information regarding assistance is constantly changing, only links to specific organizations are listed versus links to specific programs.
NW Illinois Economic Development – http://www.nwiled.org/article/nw-illinois-covid19-resources
U.S. Small Business Association – https://www.sba.gov/
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity –https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/default.aspx
U.S. Department of the Treasury – The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – 03/27/20: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares.
Assistance for Individuals
The impact of the virus is affecting us in so many ways. Below is a list of resources that might be of assistnact
Morrison Friends Food Pantry –
The Morrison Friends Food Pantry is open on non-holiday Thursday mornings from 7:30 am – 9:30 am and is located at the United Methodist Church (200 West Lincolnway, Morrison). If you are in need and live within the Morrison Unit #6 School District area, please contact
(815) 718-5117 for more information.
United Way of Whiteside County – United Way partners with many agencies in the area to provide social services to all those living within Whiteside County. If you are in need of assistance in any way, please dial “211” and you will be connected directly with someone who can help.
Illinois Dept. of Employment Security –
Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. IDES recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible.
State resources are available to provide assistance with food, housing, finances and healthcare:
–Illinois Department of Human Services
–Illinois Office of Early Childhood Development – Emergency childcare assistance for essential workers.
COVID-19 Information Resources
Stay up-to-date on the latest information about COVID-19 via these online local, state, and national resources:
Morrison Community Hospital – COVID-19 testing available on-site
State of Illinois COVID-19 Response – https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/
Illinois Department of Public Health – http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
Whiteside County Health Department – https://www.whitesidehealth.org/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019