Highland takes coordinated measures to combat coronavirus

Like many Illinois towns, Highland is now under a proclamation of emergency and has launched an incident command team to coordinate efforts against the novel coronavirus.

Highland’s command team includes representatives from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland District 5, the Highland-Pierron Fire Protection District and Madison County Health Department, along with the city’s own public safety departments.

“We do have plans in place within the city of Highland in the event that someone is infected with this virus, and what steps we can take to minimize the virus spreading through the community,” said Mayor Joe Michaelis at last week’s city council meeting.

Among the new regulations:

• Schools are closed through Wednesday, April 8, in accordance with the state’s “shelter in place” order. The Highland school parking lots also will be closed to prevent gatherings of young people that were taking place, officials said.
• Likewise, curfews in Highland’s city parks took effect March 19 to “eliminate gatherings of large groups of teenagers in our parks after sunset, which does not support our current requests and efforts of social distancing,” said Police Chief Chris Conrad in a public statement. “Additionally, we ask parents of teenagers to support this action.”
• Highland District 5 is providing sack breakfasts and lunches for families that rely on free or reduced lunch programs. Meals for Monday and Tuesday may be picked up between 8 and 10 a.m. Mondays; and meals for Wednesday-Friday can be picked up on Wednesdays. Coordinated by the Highland Parent-Teacher Organization, the food will be distributed at Highland Primary and High schools; Alhambra Primary; Grantfork Elementary; the pavilion at Country View Mobile Home Park and the New Douglas RecPlex. Call 651-4564 with any questions or if your child has food allergies.
• District 5 school board is scheduled to meet Monday, March 23, though the office is open only for essential business.
• Highland City Hall and the building and zoning departments are restricted to screened appointments only, with admittance only by appointment. Residents should call 654-9891 or visit highlandil.gov to make an appointment.
• City Electric and Highland Communication Services are operating as normal, but home appointments and installations will be by screened appointments only.
• The Korte Recreation Center and Weinheimer Community Center are closed until the schools reopen.
• The city council meeting was live-streamed on Facebook on March 16. All councilmen and department leaders were present, but seated separately from each other to maintain the social distancing recommended by health officials. A special meeting took place Friday to extend the proclamation of emergency for the city. Going forward, all meetings will be via conference call, as the state has suspended the Illinois Open Meetings Act requiring that meetings take place in person. Listening by remote is available by calling 618-882-5625 and entering conference ID no. 422312 during the meeting. This is an audio-only service and does not allow public comment, which should be directed to Lana Hediger at lhediger@highlandil.gov.
• The Highland Speedway has canceled all events including the March 22 swap meet, and Louis Later Memorial Library has been closed since March 17.
• The Meals on Wheels program offered through St. Joseph’s Hospital will not be impacted. For more information, call 618-954-0356.
• All other city services remain the same, according to city officials. If anyone has a loved one in need of a welfare check, they are advised to call the Highland Police Department at 618-654-2131.

This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 9:21 AM.