FAQs

Q: Who is responsible for maintaining my driveway apron?
A: Property owners are responsible for maintaining driveway aprons. Driveways may be adjusted or replaced during road improvements to adjust them to meet the new grade of the road.

Q: How are the streets chosen for repaving?
A: The Village uses pavement management software to determine the condition of our local streets. The software program estimates the rate of pavement degradation and recommends an optimal rehabilitation schedule.

Q: My Basement is flooding. Why did you open the (MWRDGC) locks?
A: The Village has no control over the locks at the Wilmette harbor. These devices are controlled by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC). They are opened by MWRDGC staff only under storm conditions when the river reaches a predefined level and then closed again when the level recedes. In recent years, with the construction of the Deep Tunnel, the locks have rarely been opened.

Q: When will my street be plowed and/or salted?
A: Please refer to the Village of Wilmette’s Snow and Ice Control Program.

Q: What should I do if my refuse, recycling, or yard waste was not picked up?
A: Call the Public Works Department at 847-853-7500 or e-mail pubworks@wilmette.com.

Q: If there is a holiday, when will refuse, recycling, and yard waste be picked up?
A: No collections will be made on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. These holidays are recognized as collection holidays by the Village’s solid waste contractor. If your collection services fall on these days, your collection will be delayed one day.

Q: Where can I get replacement or additional refuse, recycling, or yard waste toters?
A: There is no cost to replace damaged toters. Please call Waste Management at 847-272-4145 or contact the Public Works Department at 847-853-7500 or pubworks@wilmette.com to request a replacement. Contact Waste Management directly to lease additional toters for a fee of $28.30 per toter, per year (rate effective 2021).

Q: Where can I purchase yard waste stickers?
A: Yard waste stickers can be purchased for $2.25 each at the following locations: Wilmette Village Hall (Finance Department) – 1200 Wilmette Avenue Chalet Garden Shop – 3132 Lake Avenue Jewel Food Stores – 411 Green Bay Rd, and 1517 Sheridan Rd (Plaza Del Lago) Linden Hardware – 411 Linden Avenue Millen Hardware – 1219 Wilmette Avenue

Q: How do I dispose of Household Hazardous Waste?
A: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) conducts several Household Chemical Waste (HCW) collections throughout the state each year. A list of permanent collection sites and one-day collection events available to Wilmette residents can be viewed here: https://swancc.org/recycling/chemical-and-paint-disposal. The US EPA has also published a helpful guide for small business owners: Managing Your Hazardous Waste: A Guide for Small Businesses. Never dispose of hazardous materials or pet waste down a storm sewer!

Q: How do I dispose of my Christmas tree?
A: Advanced Disposal collects Christmas trees for composting during the first two weeks in January each year. Trees will be collected on the same day as your refuse and recycling. Please place your Christmas trees at the location of your regular recycling pickup. Trees must be devoid of any ornaments, tinsel, garland, or plastic/fabric bag wrap. Other holiday decorations, such as wreaths and garland may be bagged with garbage and set out as refuse.

Q: When will my leaves be collected?
A: Village crews collect leaves annually from the middle of October through early December, weather permitting. Village streets will be cleaned at regular intervals during this period. A leaf collection schedule will be published in the Communicator and posted on the Village’s website.

Q: Why is snow plowed onto my driveway?
A: The Village’s snowplows are designed to unload snow to the side and are the fastest and most efficient means available to plow snow from the streets to provide for proper drainage, mailbox accessibility, and to allow clearance for future snow plowing. As a result, snow is discharged to the curb where driveways are located.

Q: When will my parkway trees be pruned?
A: Parkway trees 7” and greater in diameter are Village owned and maintained on a cycle by the Village contractor. Conversely, parkway trees smaller than 7” in diameter are pruned by the Public Works Department. Please contact the Forestry Division at (847) 853-7600 to inquire when your trees are scheduled for pruning next.

Q: A parkway tree was removed, when will it be replaced?
A: Provided that there is sufficient room and good soil, a tree that has been removed will be replaced with a 2″ diameter tree within one year of the removal date at no cost to the resident. If you would like to participate in the Cooperative Tree Planting Program, please call 847-853-7587 to speak with a Village Forester.

Q: Who do I call about a tree in contact with power lines?
A: ComEd should be the first contact for any tree concerns involving power line (1-800-EDISON-1). Industry standards do not allow individuals who are not specifically trained with power lines to address this hazard. If the tree is on the Village right-of-way (parkway), contact the Forestry Division at (847) 853-7600. If there is a downed line or an immediate hazardous condition constituting an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

Q: Who repairs potholes?
A: The Engineering & Public Works Department is responsible for repairing potholes on Village owned streets. However, there are roadways within the Village that are maintained by either the State (IDOT) or Cook County. If you notice a pothole, call public works at 847-853-7500; we will either repair our own roadways or notify State or County, so they can make the necessary repairs.

Q: What should I do if my street light is not operating?
A: Street light maintenance is provided by both the Village and ComEd. The village is responsible for the street lights on concrete and metal poles, while ComEd maintains the street lights on wooden utility poles. Please call the Public Works Department at 847-853-7500 to report a street light outage; we will either fix our street light or report it to ComEd.

Q: What can I do about flooding?
A: The Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management has prepared a Guide to Flood Protection in Northeastern Illinois which offers suggestions with flood proofing. Additional information can also be found in the Stormwater Management section of the Village’s website.

Q: Who do I call if my sewer is backing up through the basement floor drain?
A: First, call the Engineering & Public Works Department at (847) 853-7500. If you have already contacted a plumber, call with the time the plumber is scheduled to arrive.

Finance FAQs

Q: How much do vehicle stickers cost?
A: $80 for cars

EMS

Q: Why does a fire engine go on ambulance calls?
A: Fire engines respond with ambulances to provide assistance at the emergency scene. At times, additional personnel are required to perform life-sustaining procedures or to move patients to the ambulance for further treatment. Since an Engine Company is staffed by at least one Firefighter/Paramedic and one Lieutenant/Paramedic, both units respond.

Q: Why do you always respond with lights and sirens?
A: Lights and sirens draw attention so that everyone is aware that emergency vehicles are approaching. Therefore, they provide a safe means for responding to emergencies.

Q: When I call for an ambulance, why do I sometimes see an ambulance from another town?
A: During the course of the day it is not unusual for two or three calls for the ambulance to come in at the same time. If all of our ambulances are busy, we will dispatch an ambulance from the next available town. The Mutual Aid Agreement works both ways; therefore, Wilmette ambulances can be dispatched to the other municipalities. You may see ambulances and equipment from Winnetka, Northfield, Glenview or Evanston.

Water Plants FAQs

Q: How much water does the average wilmette resident use each year?
A: The average resident uses about 44,000 gallons per year. This is slightly less than the US average of 52,500 per year, but more than Canada (40,300), Poland (15,700), China (7,300) or India (3,900) on a per capita basis.

Q: What is the short answer to how’s my water quality?
A: The Wilmette annual water quality report, available on this website, contains a lot of information and data about our water quality. The short answer is that of the more than 120 contaminants tested for in this past year, all were within the EPA’s water quality standards. To find this report, select Departments from the top menu, then Water Plant.

Q: Is bottled water safer than tap water?
A: Not necessarily. Studies have shown that microbes may grow in the bottles while on the grocers’ shelves. Residents do not need to buy bottled water for safety reasons if your tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards (Wilmette ’s does!). Those who prefer water with a different taste, can buy bottled water, but it costs up to 1,000 times more than tap water. Of course, in emergencies, bottled water can be a vital source of drinking water for people without water.

Q: Is water with chlorine in it safe to drink?
A: Yes. Many tests have shown that the amount of chlorine found in treated water is safe to drink, although some people object to the taste. The USEPA recently established a maximum allowable level of residual disinfectants. This residual is added to the water as it enters the distribution system to protect against germs.

Q: Why does water sometimes have a musty taste and odor?
A: During the summer months, residents may notice a slight musty or earthy taste & odor in the water. The chemicals that cause this are naturally occurring but harmless in the concentrations found in Wilmette ’s drinking water. The Village adds activated carbon to the water to help remove these odors. Keeping an open container of water in the refrigerator allows the odors to dissipate and improves the taste of the water. If you have additional questions about taste & odor, call the Water Plant at 847-853-7535.

Q: Is Wilmette’s Water Hard / Do I Need A Water Softener?
A: Wilmette ’s water is considered moderately hard. It contains about 140-ppm hardness (8 grains/gallon) as calcium carbonate. Most of the hardness is calcium and magnesium, but there are traces of barium and iron. This level of hardness does not generally require a water softener for laundry washing or bathing, but it may be necessary to switch to distilled water (or add decalcification chemicals to the tap water) for some of your appliances. Check with the appliance manufacturer and use what they recommend. You should also use distilled water when adding water to your car’s radiator.

Q: How Does Lead Get Into My Drinking Water?
A: There is no measurable lead in Lake Michigan water and no lead pipes are used at the water plant or in the distribution system. The only source of lead found in our drinking water comes from lead pipes and lead soldered joints in the homeowner’s plumbing. About 60% of Wilmette homes have lead service lines. The Village feeds a small amount of phosphate to the treated water to help coat these lead pipes. The coating reduces the lead leaching into the drinking water to levels below the USEPA limits. If you have questions about lead in drinking water, call the Water Plant Lab at 847-853-7532.

Q: My water looks cloudy during the winter. What’s wrong?
A: During the winter months, when the water temperature drops below 40 degrees F, the water leaving the Water Plant is saturated with dissolved oxygen. When you turn on your tap to fill a glass, some of this oxygen begins to bubble up to the surface. To check to see if this is the source of your cloudy water, just draw a glass and let it sit five minutes. If the cloudiness goes away, it was the entrapped oxygen; if it doesn’t, you may have a water quality problem and you may want to call the Water Plant Lab at 847-853-7532.

Q: I have no (or low) water pressure. What happened?
A: When disturbances occur in the water distribution pipes in the street – or the house plumbing – small particle are often dislodged from the interior of the pipes. Examples of disturbances include installing a new water main or repairing an old one, flushing fire hydrants or even repairing plumbing in your own house. Frequently this dislodged material obstructs the faucet aerators, causing an apparent loss of pressure. Removing and cleaning the aerators can often solve the problem.

Q: What are the particles I find in my tap aerators?
A: If you remove the aerator, the substance causing the clogging can also often tell the source of the problem: Rust colored material – corroded iron probably dislodged from the distribution piping; White material, hard but crumbly – most likely calcium carbonate from your hot water heater. Flush your hot water heater once per year to minimize this problem; White material, solid not fragile – most likely a plastic material that was typically used as a dip tube to control filling of hot water heaters until recently. If you find this material, contact your hot water heater manufacturer. The dip tube is defective and should be replaced. White material, soft and powdery – probably some of the phosphate material that coats the distribution piping; If you have questions about any of these materials you may find, feel free to contact the Water Plant Lab at 847-853-7532. If cleaning aerators doesn’t solve the low-pressure problem, call the Meter Shop at 847-853-7537.

Q: I have low water pressure. Will a larger water meter help?
A: Generally the answer is no. The smallest water meter the Village has, the 5/8-inch meter, is capable of 20-25 gallons per minute flow. The average household plumbing system, however, is only capable of delivering about 10 gallons per minute, even with multiple fixtures running. The restrictions in flow are generally due to the homeowner’s interior plumbing – especially if it’s made from galvanized pipe. If you need assistance, the Meter Repair Technicians can test your water pressure and tell you what size meter is best for your application. They can be reached at 847-853-7537.

Q: What is the level of hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) in my water?
A: The laboratory results show chromium-6 levels in the finished water to be 0.23 ppb (parts per billion). The results seem to be consistent with results reported from other nearby communities (Chicago and Evanston). Currently there is no maximum limit for chromium 6, but there is for total chromium, which chromium-6 is a sub-specie. The level detected in Wilmette is 99.77% below the total chromium regulation of 100 ppb and 99.5% below the more restrictive California total chromium limit of 50 ppb.

Museum FAQs

Q: When is the Historical Museum open and what is the admission fee?
A: The Museum, located at 609 Ridge Road, is open Sundays through Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for major holidays. The Museum is free of charge.

Q: Does the Museum have information about the history of my house?
A: Yes, the Museum has information on most houses. Sources of information include older real estate listings, village directories going back to 1890, plats of survey, photo files and general reference files on village structures. We also have a small collection of architectural plans.

Q: Do I apply to the Museum to become a Local Landmark?
A: No, Wilmette’s Local Landmark Program is administered by the Village’s Historic Preservation Commission. They can be reached by calling 847-853-7522. However, the Museum does have historical information on most Wilmette properties, and Museum staff is happy to help residents research their property for a landmark application.

Q: Does the Museum offer group tours?
A: Yes, the Museum offers tours for a modest fee. Scouts, schools, organizations and retirement communities are among the groups that have toured the Museum in the past.

Cable

Q: When will certain Board meetings be aired?
A: – Village Board Meetings are live on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays with rebroadcasts the following Wednesday at 1pm and following Thursday at 7pm. – Park Board Meetings are live the 2nd Monday with rebroadcast the following Tuesday at 1pm. – School Board 39 Meetings are live on the 3rd Monday with rebroadcast the following Tuesday at 1pm. – Library Board Meetings are taped the 3rd Tuesday and broadcast the following Wednesday at 1pm.

Q: How can I see the meetings if I do not have cable television?
A: A tape of each Village Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and Park Board meeting is available for check out at the Wilmette Public Library at 1242 Wilmette Avenue. School Disrtrict 39 makes copies of their meetings available for viewing a the Mikaelian Education Center at 615 Locust Road.

Q: How can I produce my own program for Channel 6?
A: Are you interested in developing a program that provides local enjoyment and enrichment? Are you aspiring to host your own “talk show”, news program, sports production or magazine show? Producing your own program is a great achievement and Wilmette Community Television- Channel 6, the Village’s Government Access Channel, is here to help you. The Village is always looking for new programming, so if you have an idea for a program you would like to produce, or if you would like to volunteer to help on any current programs, contact the Village’s Cable Coordinator, Karen Meersman, at 847-853-9288 or at wctv6@comcast.net. Training is available for all interested residents.

Parking

Q: I have received a parking citation. What are my options?
A: There are two options. You may pay the fine or you may request a court date. If you request a court date, our staff will give you the next open court date based on the officer’s assigned court schedule. Please call 847-853-7548. If you receive a parking ticket but disagree with the ordinance, your options are still to either pay the fine or go to court, and then request the ordinance be changed. If you believe the meter has malfunctioned, please note the meter number and call 847-256-1200 to report it as soon as possible.

Q: I have just received a parking permit from the Village. Where on my windshield should I display this permit?
A: All permits issued by the Village should be displayed on the rear driver’s side back windshield. These permits are exterior permits and are designed to be placed on the outside of the window. As usual the Village Vehicle license remains on the front driver’s side windshield.

Q: What is the daily parking fee for the metered lots in the Village Center?
A: The daily parking fee in the Metra Commuter Lots (Berman Lot, Poplar Ave. lots 4 and 5, and the Depot Commuter Lot) is $2.00. Parking on Saturday and Sunday is free. However, parking between 2:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m. is prohibited 7 days a week. The meter will not show any time until the full amount is deposited. Click here for more information.

Q: What is the daily parking fee for the CTA West parking lot at 4th and Linden?
A: A charge of $4.00 per 24 hours is required to park in this lot. The lot is available for parking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Q: I live on a street that has permit parking only. What should I do when I have a guest visiting?
A: The Village offers daily temporary parking passes at no charge. These may be picked up at the Village Hall.

Q: I see signs posted for “No Parking Football Saturdays.” What does this mean?
A: Welsh Ryan Field is located at 5th Street and Isabella. When Northwestern University is playing a home football game, due to the large volume of vehicles in the area, we must prohibit parking on certain streets. This allows for the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrian traffic.

Q: On which Holidays are parking restrictions not enforced?
A: Daily fees, permits and time zones of 4 hours or less are not enforced on the following holidays: New Years Day Memorial Day 4th of July Labor Day Thanksgiving Christmas Day

Q: How will I know what day and time leaves will be picked up on my street?
A: All leaf collection signs are posted with dates and times.

Q: If it is not a scheduled leaf collection day, can I park my vehicle on the street?
A: Yes, but motorists should not park their vehicle over a pile of leaves. A warm exhaust system can cause the leaves to ignite and endanger the vehicle.

Q: When my block has been posted “No Parking 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Leaf Collection”, may I park on the street immediately after my street has been cleared?
A: No. To help the leaf collection crews be as effective and efficient as possible, you may not park on the street until after the posted time of 5:00 p.m.

Q: Does the Village provide alternate parking for Snow Removal or Leaf Collection Days?
A: The Village has no off-street parking for this purpose. Finding off street parking is the responsibility of the vehicle’s owner.

Q: What are the parking regulations during a snowstorm or winter precipitation event?
A: After a snowfall of two inches or more, parking is prohibited on both sides of every Village street for a period of 24 hours after the snowfall stops or until the clearing operations are complete. During this time residents are required to park their vehicles off street, such as a garage or private driveway. During other winter precipitation events (defined by Village ordinance as snowfall of less than two inches, or sleet, freezing rain or ice), the parking ban applies to one side of the street for those streets that are posted as 27 feet in width or less. This ban is also in effect for 24 hours after the event or until the clearing operation is complete. The purpose of the ban during sleet or freezing rain is to allow the Public Works trucks to spread salt. Click here for more information.

Q: I have a medical condition and use a handicap placard or license plate. Can I still park on the street during a snow storm?
A: No. The potential for a medical emergency does not warrant priority parking treatment during a snow storm. Anyone needing an ambulance in a medical emergency should contact the Fire Department by calling 9-1-1.

Q: Where can people with disabilities park their vehicle?
A: Parking for persons with disabilities is provided in areas designated as Handicapped Accessible. These spaces are located throughout the Village on both public and private parking lots.

Q: Are there locations that I may not park even with a placard or handicapped plate?
A: Yes, handicapped placards or plates do not allow the driver to park in restricted parking areas and in front of fire hydrants, bus stops and loading zones. This also includes zones restricted as “No Parking” during specific hours.

Q: Is parking permitted in the marked lane next to a Handicapped parking space?
A: No, parking is not permitted in access aisles. This is the space marked with diagonal lines next to a space which accommodates disabled parking.

Q: Is it necessary for the person who is disabled to be in the vehicle to use the handicapped space?
A: Yes, the person with the disability must exit or enter the vehicle while it is parked in the designated disabled parking space for it to be authorized use of a handicapped permit.

Q: Does a handicapped placard exempt a driver from time limits or meter restrictions?
A: Yes, persons with a handicapped license plate or placard are exempt from paying parking meter fees or from time limitations on parking, but only where the time limitations are more than 30 minutes.

Q: What is the fine for violating a handicapped parking restriction?
A: The minimum fine for this violation is set by the State of Illinois Statute at $250.

Q: Can disabled parking privileges be revoked?
A: Yes, handicapped license plates and placards will be revoked if abuse occurs. If you are aware of any abuse, please contact the Wilmette Police Department.

Q: Do the police investigate misuse of handicapped license plates and placards?
A: Yes, the police patrol public and private handicapped parking spaces to assure handicapped plates and placards are being used in accordance with local and state laws.

Animal Control

Q: What should I do if someone is bitten by a dog?
A: Immediately after caring for the wound, contact the Wilmette Police Department at 256-1200. If an ambulance is needed, call 9-1-1.

Q: What should I do if I find a lost pet?
A: If the dog or cat has a license or an ID tag, you may call the phone number listed on the tag to make contact with the owner. If you cannot contact the owner or if the animal is not wearing a tag, the law requires that you turn in the animal so that the owner will have a better chance of finding the lost pet. Many well-meaning people keep lost pets at their homes, not realizing the animal’s owner is looking for the stray at the police department.

Q: When and how should I look for my lost pet?
A: If your pet is wearing a current license or ID tag, Officers will make every effort to notify you and reunite you with your pet. Be sure to visit Christensen’s Animal Hospital on Hibbard Road to look for your lost pet. Animals picked up in the Village will be taken to this facility and cared for while the owner has a chance to look for the lost pet. Be sure to check all neighboring police departments and ask about any injured animals that may have been taken to a veterinarian or picked up dead off the street. Finally, be sure to give a detailed description of your pet to the police dispatcher when you make the call.

Social Services

Q: What are the fees for services?
A: Counseling and advocacy services are free for Wilmette residents.

Q: What should I know about the Police Social Worker’s training background?
A: The Social Worker holds a Masters Degree in Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and received post-graduate training in family and couple therapy from the Family Institute at Northwestern University.

Q: Since counseling is being provided at the Police Department, do I have to worry about confidentiality?
A: Confidentiality is strictly enforced. Counseling reports are kept entirely separate from Police reports.

Q: What is the availability of the counseling services?
A: Daytime appointments are available Monday through Friday. Evening appointments are available one evening a week.

Q: What kind of issues do people request help with?
A: Issues include but are not limited to domestic violence, marital conflicts, parent-child problems, stress related issues and substance abuse.

Traffic Services

Q: Traffic is going very fast on my street, and I’m afraid that my children will get hit by a car while playing in front of my house. I want a stop sign put up to slow the cars down.
A: Contrary to popular beliefs, a stop sign is not a speed control device and the placement of stop signs is controlled by very specific traffic requirements. These requirements include the volume of traffic, accident history and pedestrian use. Studies have shown that speed is only affected in the area directly near the stop sign and in fact, stop signs may increase speed as drivers go faster to make up time having to stop at an unnecessary sign. Also, an improperly placed stop sign may increase accidents, giving residents a false sense of security. We have found that most complaints about speeding vehicles are actually complaints concerning traffic volume. The Engineering and Police Department along with the Transportation Commission are in the process of developing long term solutions for neighborhood traffic calming. Through the use of traffic calming techniques, traffic can be slowed and the roadway becomes less attractive as a short cut between major roadways.

Q: When do I have to stop for a school bus which is unloading children when approaching from the opposite direction?
A: You are required to stop for a school bus loading or unloading children when: 1. You are traveling in the same direction as the bus. 2. You are traveling in the opposite direction on a two lane road. The bus must have its flasher signals activated and stop sign displayed. Persons who commit a violation of this law are subject to a $150 fine and 3 month license suspension.

Business Development

Q: How do I know if my business is permitted?
A: You can contact the Business Development Planner by phone at (847) 853-7520 or by email at sivertsenl@wilmette.com.

Fire Department

Q: Who do I call to arrange a station tour?
A: Please contact the Fire Marshal at (847) 853-7693 to arrange a station tour.

Q: How are members of the Fire Department hired?
A: In order to be hired as a Firefighter/Paramedic in the Village of Wilmette, candidates must first take a written examination and a physical ability examination. These examinations are administered on a biannual basis. Any inquiries regarding the hiring process should be directed to the Assistant to the Village Manager at 847-853-7503.

Q: Why do firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs when the fire is inside a building? It seems that they are causing more damage than the fire.
A: Fire in a building creates a lot of heat and smoke. In many cases, firefighters must remove the heat and smoke before they can get close enough to put out the fire. Heat and smoke rise, so cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out windows in planned locations allows the smoke to vent upwards, allowing cool air to enter the building from below. This is called “ventilation”. It also improves visibility and lowers heat conditions for the firefighters inside, allowing them to quickly and safely extinguish the fire. Remember, heat and smoke can cause extensive damage; ventilation will actually reduce overall damage to a building and contents.

MABAS

Q: What is MABAS Division 3?
A: In 1970, the MABAS system was established to provide a swift, standardized and effective method of mutual aid assistance for extra alarm fires and mass casualty incidents. The MABAS system is divided into over 20 Divisions from the communities along I-53 and the Northwest Tollway corridor. Today, the MABAS organization is comprised of nearly 300 agencies. MABAS Division 3 includes the north shore communities bounded by Highland Park on the north, Evanston and Skokie on the south, Park Ridge and Prospect Heights on the west, and Lake Michigan on the East. Currently, seventeen north shore departments belong to MABAS Division 3 providing service from 35 stations and over 750 firefighters. The MABAS system allows departments to serve citizens in ways far beyond MABAS’s original intent. MABAS Division 3 shares cost effective specialized teams for hazardous material spill control, underwater rescue and recovery and specialized cave-in or high-angle rescues. Additional activities of MABAS Division 3 include cost saving joint purchasing between communities for fire trucks, engines, ambulances, tools, hose and equipment. Many Division III communities utilize automatic first response where the closest station responds when an incident occurs. Such automatic aid responses ignore geo-political boundaries between communities in the best interest of citizen service and cost effectiveness. The members of MABAS Division 3 hope that you enjoy the rest of your visit to the Web Site and encourage you to take full advantage of MABAS Division 3 link’s to the individual communities that are part of MABAS Division 3 and other fire related sites.

Investigations

Q: After I file a theft or burglary report with an officer, what happens?
A: Every report that is filed with the department is assigned to a detective for follow-up. Case reports are followed-up on a priority basis. Crimes against persons, threats to the safety of persons, and crimes where valuable evidence may be lost without immediate attention, are assigned first. Generally, you should receive a call from a detective within five working days of the filing of a police report. The number of reports coming into the department at the time your report is made, and the seriousness of the offense being reported are the biggest determinants of when you will be contacted.

Q: Will I know what is going on with the case?
A: Yes. The detective will check for witnesses, suspects and discuss the possible motive with you. Your case will be analyzed to see if it is part of a recurring pattern of similar types of crimes, many of which are charted by day, time, and location analysis. Based on the particulars of the case, you will be told what actions the detective will be taking in the follow-up investigation. You can make inquiries with the detective or the detective supervisor to check on the status of an investigation if you have questions or concerns. The length of the investigation varies, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of leads involved. No matter what the circumstances, you can be assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted.

Q: If I receive a threatening or harassing phone call, what should I do?
A: Immediately after receiving such a call, and before the dial tone is broken, press *57 on your touch tone phone or dial 1157 on your rotary phone to initiate a trace. You will hear a recorded message from the phone company which will tell you to make a police report and it will provide an 800 number for you to call to notify the phone company. This is an Ameritech service which costs $4.00 for a successful trace. There is no charge for an unsuccessful trace. After you receive a police report number from an officer, dial the 800 number, provide them with the officer’s name and the police report number. A record of the harassing or threatening phone call will automatically be FAXED to the detective bureau of the police department usually within a 24 hour period. When this information is received a detective will contact you with follow-up information.

Q: If I am the victim of a crime somewhere else, can I report it to my local police department?
A: Generally you must file a police report with the agency that has jurisdiction where the crime occurred. However, if your purse, identification or house keys are stolen elsewhere, we recommend that you contact the Wilmette Police after you have contacted the agency with jurisdiction so that a special watch can be placed on your house.

Q: Is it really important that I make a report if something is stolen?
A: Yes. We use the information you provide to track patterns of crime, to develop suspects based on geographic locations, and to direct our uniformed and plain clothes patrols. On occasion we have not been able to return recovered property to its rightful owners because no report had been filed. Always make a report.