COMMUNITY SERVICES

The services available at these events will include document shredding, renewal of driver’s licenses and license plate stickers, disposal of unwanted prescriptions, health screenings and more. All these events will be held at the Elk Grove Township Hall, 600 Landmeier Road, in Elk Grove Village. Make sure to mark your calendars for the following upcoming events: Shredding Event: 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 4. In partnership with the Elk Grove Village Lions Club, Elk Grove Township will host a free document shredding event Saturday, May 4 in the township’s east parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon. Please note there is a limit of two Banker’s boxes of documents per person, or until the truck is full. Community Services Day: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 23. A Community Services Day will take place at the Township Hall, and include several service providers. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office will collect and safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs, the Lions of Illinois Foundation will provide free hearing loss and retinal eye disease screenings, and Ascension Alexian Brothers will offer free blood pressure and cancer screenings, along with cancer education awareness. Additionally, the Illinois State Treasurer Mobile Unit will be on-site to help residents determine if they are the rightful owner of unclaimed funds. The state holds these funds until they are claimed by either the original owner or their heirs. The township’s Veterans Services officer and passport agents will also be available to share information about their services and to set up appointments. Finally, Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison and a Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County representative will be available to share information and answer questions about Cook County services. No appointment is necessary to attend this event and walk-ins are welcome. Secretary of State Mobile DMV Unit: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, June 28. The Secretary of State Mobile DMV Unit will be at the Township Hall and will help residents obtain a REAL ID, renew, duplicate, or correct their driver’s license or state ID, renew license plate stickers, or register as a voter or organ donor. All of these services are by appointment only. To sign up, call (847) 437-0300. More information on these events will be in the township’s April newsletter, which will be arriving at homes the week of April 15. Information is also available on the township’s website at elkgrovetownship.com.

The most in-demand service has consistently been procuring passports. Elk Grove Township serves as a Passport Acceptance Facility assisting with the submission of passport applications and offering guidance on passport related inquiries. Also, passport photos can be obtained at the township for the nominal fee of $10, making the township a comprehensive one-stop destination for individuals with passport needs. Passport agents at the township speak English, Spanish and Polish. Any individual who does not have a valid passport can apply for a new one, while passport renewals are available for minors and adults whose passports have expired for five years or longer. Replacement passports are available only for those that have been stolen, lost or damaged. An appointment is required for all passport services and can be scheduled Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. by calling (847) 437-0300. The passport processing time by the U.S. Department of State can take up to eight weeks, but expedited service is also available for an additional charge. For general passport information, please visit travel.state.gov. There is also a high demand for fishing licenses, given the township’s proximity to Busse Lake. Illinois fishing licenses need to be renewed on an annual basis and are currently available at the township offices. Salmon, trout and habitat stamps are also available for an additional fee. Fishing licenses are not required for individuals under the age of 16, the disabled or active-duty military. Notary services and temporary handicap placards can also be obtained at the township. There is no charge for these services and no appointment is necessary. To qualify for a handicap placard, an individual must have signed documentation from the applicant’s physician verifying the need for a placard. The township can only issue temporary handicap placards for up to six months. To obtain a permanent placard a request must be submitted to the Illinois Secretary of State. More information can be found at ilsos.gov/services/persons_with_disabilities/disabilities.html. “We’re pleased that we are able to provide these services not only to our residents, but also to individuals without access to these resources who live outside of the township,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor George Busse.” Our assistance with passports is particularly of value. Our staff is very knowledgeable and can simplify what can often be a long, frustrating process.” For information on these and other township services, please contact the township at (847) 437-0300 or visit elkgrovetownship.com.

The Township also recently initiated a, “Senior Community Check In” service which provides a dedicated case manager that checks in via phone monthly with seniors enrolled in the program. The case manager can verify their wellbeing and determine if any assistance is needed. To get more information or to sign up for the program, call 224-265-6111. The Township is particularly proud of its transportation services that are available to residents who are 55 and older or living with a disability. Due to growing demand and increased safety considerations, the Township upgraded its fleet over the last two years with three new handicap accessible buses. Seniors and disabled individuals 18 years of age and older, can be picked up at their homes and taken to doctors’ appointments, the grocery store, salons, fitness centers, restaurants, and other locations within the Township’s borders. For seniors 60+ requiring transportation to healthcare appointments outside Township borders, transportation can be arranged through the Township/Pace Riders Initiative Program (TRIP). For other appointments or errands outside Township borders, residents can sign up for a Taxi Discount Card to get a $5 discount for each ride with a 303 Taxi for up to ten times per month. Residents interested in transportation services should call the new transportation number, 224-265-6115, for more information or to schedule a ride. In addition, seniors (and all residents living in the Township) can utilize the “Client Choice” food pantry, where they can select the food items they prefer, along with the Medical Closet that provides all types of needed medical equipment to be borrowed at no charge. “The Township is committed to helping our senior and disabled residents to become more independent and self-reliant through transportation, benefits assistance and other supportive services – all of which uphold our motto of, ‘Empowering People Through Community’,” said Supervisor George Busse. Busse encourages all residents to visit elkgrovetownship.com to get more information about the Township’s senior/disabled services, as well as the myriad of other services provided.

While the Township can assist with passport renewals for minors, they cannot assist with the renewal of adult passports. Adult passports that expired within the last five years must be renewed by mail, or on a limited basis, online. Adult passports that expired more than five years ago require a new passport application and as previously noted, the Township can assist with new passports. Those who would like to apply for a new or replacement passport must provide proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a photo ID (driver’s license or state ID card), and a passport photo taken within the last six months. The Township does not provide a passport photo service, but photos can be obtained from most businesses that have a photo department. The fee for passports is $130 for adults and $100 for minors. This fee can only be paid with a check or money order. There is also a $35 facility fee that can be paid with a credit card, cash or check. “We have experienced passport agents that can answer all of your questions and make the application process quick and easy for you,” said Assistant Township Administrator Izabela Manzo. “Our agents will let you know what is needed to apply, review your documentation and assist you in properly submitting your application.” The standard time for the U.S Department of State to process passports is currently 10-13 weeks and does not include shipping time. The Township suggests that those who apply allow up to two weeks for shipping. Expedited services for passport processing, as well as for expedited shipping, are available for additional costs. Residents can call the Township at 847-437-0300 for additional information or to schedule an appointment.

The Thanksgiving Basket program provides all the fixings for the traditional holiday meal to in-need families living in the Township. Donors can put together as many laundry baskets or boxes as they would like to donate and fill them with non-perishable food items. The list of items is provided to donors by Township staff members after their participation in the program is confirmed. A $25 gift card should also be included so that families can purchase turkey, ham, dairy or other perishable items to complete their holiday meal. Donors can also participate in Hope for the Holidays program that benefits low-income children or senior citizens. A $50 gift card is given to each individual sponsored by donors and enables recipients to purchase holiday gifts of their choice. “These programs provide an opportunity for generous community members to impact the holiday season experience for our neighbors in need,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor George Busse. “A Thanksgiving meal or a gift card may not seem like much, but it means a great deal to those who otherwise would not be able to afford these extras over the holidays.” The list of recipients for both programs has already been vetted by Township staff members to ensure they meet low income requirements.   To register as a donor, please visit elkgrovetownship.com​ and search under the ‘Social Services’ tab and click on either of the programs, or you can mail or drop off the registration form included in the most recent Elk Grove Township newsletter – which is mailed to all homes within the Township’s borders. The Township address is 600 Landmeier Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, 60007. For any questions, please call the Township at 224-265-6111. 

Bearers of existing green tickets may choose from one of the following: Anyone wishing to use their ticket next year must submit their choice, name and five‐digit ticket number to the Mount Prospect Lions Club via email (mountprospectlionsclub@yahoo.com) or messaging its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/mtprospectlions). Ticket holders wanting to receive a full refund must do so by bringing it to one the following events: The Farmers Market on July 10 or 17 (8:00 am – 1:00 pm, West Metra lot) or the Mount Prospect Downtown Block Party (July 22 ‐ 23, 2022). Those who desire to donate their ticket back to the Club will not need to do anything further. “We sincerely appreciate the community’s strong support of the Mount Prospect Lions Club’s beloved annual 4th of July festival, which is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said President Brian Lambel. “While we understand many families were looking forward to attending the final day of the Festival, we do want to make good on everyone’s pre‐purchased discount carnival ride wristband tickets. Thank you for your wonderful support of this year’s Festival, which made it another outstanding success.”

“We welcome Walter to our team. He provides an extremely valuable service to individuals who have served and sacrificed for our country,” said Township Supervisor George Busse, who is a retired Navy Captain. “I know how complex and confusing the benefits program can be. We need to make sure veterans can find and get access to the services they have earned and may badly need.” Busse encourages area veterans to reach out to VSO Wilson about services for which they are eligible. These include healthcare services, educational opportunities, retirement resources and home ownership/loan programs. Busse also pointed out that the Township can assist veterans in finding employment through its Employment Center and help to address other concerns by connecting them with other resources through the Township and social service agency partners. There are more than 50 IDVA Veteran Service Officers across Illinois, as well as five veterans’ homes offering domiciliary and skilled nursing care to veterans. “We are continually expanding our reach to veterans across Illinois,” said IDVA Acting Director Terry Prince. “We thank Elk Grove Township’s leadership for their partnership and for opening their doors to make services to veterans in their community more accessible. Walter is a skilled and dedicated professional with a long history of helping veterans.” VSO Wilson is a Navy veteran who has served in this role for 10 years and is well-versed in benefits available to veterans at the local, State and Federal level. He can help veterans to identify benefits they qualify for and assist them in applying and gaining access to them. Wilson works to resolve any challenges that may arise regarding veterans benefits. Services provided are available to all veterans, regardless of where they live. Veterans, dependents, or survivors who need help with obtaining benefits or want to learn more about programs available to them should call the Township at 224-265-6112 to schedule an appointment. The VSO office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on veterans, please visit www2.illinois.gov/veterans/benefits/Pages/default.aspx.

Elk Grove Township residents should enter through the main entrance on Dempster and remain in their vehicles as volunteers from the Township and Lions Club remove items to be shredded. Please note: There is a limit of two bankers boxes of documents per vehicle, which can also be transported in cardboard boxes similar in size, or in paper bags. As a safety precaution, volunteers will be controlling traffic as vehicles enter and exit the event, so please be mindful of their directions. “This event provides peace of mind for residents who need to destroy documents that contain sensitive and/or personal information,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor George Busse. “We invite everyone who lives in the Township to take advantage of this valuable, complimentary service made possible through our partnership with the Mount Prospect Lions Club.” Items such as old bank records, personal communications, bills and other confidential documents are among those that will be collected, and all paper must be dry. Plastic spines and covers, metal clips and binders must be removed from all documents. Photos, magazines and other non-paper items will not be accepted. Documents will be shredded by Vanguard Archives, a paper shredding and document destruction service that helps to maintain information security and reduces privacy breach risks with customized document destruction solutions. For more information on accepted items, visit https://www.vanguardarchives.com/paper-shredding-document-destruction-service/. For any questions, call Elk Grove Township at 847-437-0300.

Through weekly check-ins, Township social workers can provide ongoing assistance to seniors with resources such as the food pantry which now makes deliveries, transportation assistance, counseling and general or emergency financial assistance. “The Township continues to be focused on empowering our community, which includes our seniors, who are now navigating a whole new reality due to the pandemic,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor Mike Sweeney. “By providing a variety of resources, our goal is to help them to stay in their homes as long as possible.” For seniors who cannot drive or do not have their own transportation, food pantry delivery service can be provided by the Township food pantry. Boxed food supplied by the Greater Chicago Food Depository can be dropped off to in-need seniors at their homes. Township bus services are also available for seniors who need to get to doctor appointments, the grocery store, or other appointments. This transportation service is provided at no cost to seniors who live in Elk Grove Township. The pandemic has caused strain on some seniors, including feelings of isolation, fear, and elevated stress while they are living on their own. Free teletherapy (phone or video) counseling sessions are available, confidential, and secure, and are compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Seniors can additionally obtain help from the Township to apply for financial assistance through a number of programs that include assistance with mortgage, rent, energy, and utilities. For assistance not offered through Township programs or services, the Elk Grove Township Community Empowerment Fund is a 501(c)3 corporation that exists to assist all Township residents, including seniors, who are experiencing additional financial challenges. For more information on the Senior Community Check-In Program, please contact Stephanie Shparago at 224-222-0942.