Four Lake County communities to provide updates on coronavirus response
Municipal and business leaders from Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Green Oaks and Libertyville will provide updates and answer questions about their response to the coronavirus and other issues during a virtual town meeting Friday.
Coordinated by the GLMV Chamber of Commerce, the session at 9 a.m. is open to the general public event via Zoom video conference.
"Our main mission is to help business in times like this as well as times that are normal," said Scott Adams, GLMV president and CEO.
The intent is to share information, answer questions and provide business and general updates from the communities as coronavirus continues to upend daily life and activities.
A Zoom account is not required to participate on phone, desktop, mobile and tablet devices. The link to join the virtual town hall is on the chamber website, glmvchamber.org.
Questions can be submitted in advance to sadams@glmvchamber.org. Questions also can be asked and comments posted via the live chat during the conference.
Adams will open the session with a brief outline of what to expect, followed by comments from Chairman Kay Lavris. Next, mayors or management representatives from the four communities will provide updates.
The mayors/managers will be followed by Christian Wallis, vice president of operations and service lines at Advocate Condell Medical Center, and Mitch Bienvenue, manager of the Small Business Development and International Trade Center at the College of Lake County.
Keeping in touch is important, especially for small businesses, Adams said.
"In many cases, they don't know what they actually can do," he said. For example, businesses that need to be closed, like a salon, still have things to offer.
"That doesn't mean they can't sell products," Adams said. "We want them to stay as viable as they can."
He said he fears some may reach a point they can't reopen.
"I think the majority are optimistic but how do we know the right avenue to take on this thing?" Adams said of the coronavirus impact.
"You don't want to lose any momentum and you want to stay as positive as you can."
The normally bustling Libertyville downtown has been quiet. MainStreet Libertyville, a nonprofit group that promotes the business and history of the area, suggests several ways to support local business: pick up a meal at one of the many restaurants; use online delivery for shopping or dining; buy gift certificates; buy dinner for a shut-in; and tip generously.