Village of Bloomingdale - Government

Eligible Households Can Reduce Energy Bills through IHWAP Program

The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance
Program (IHWAP) offers eligible households the opportunity to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient while increasing the comfort of their homes.

This may include but is not limited to the
following areas:
• Seal air leaks to reduce heat loss and drafts
• Insulating walls, attics and basement/sidewalls to recommended levels
• Weather stripping exterior doors
• Repair or replacement of older, inefficient furnaces, air conditioners, and water heaters
• Installation of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and other health & safety measures

If you’ve received a LIHEAP credit or a payment from TANF, AABD, or SSI within the last 12 months prior to applying, you may qualify for assistance. If you have not received any of these payments, then you must meet the 2024 IHWAP Income Eligibility Guidelines.

Contact DuPage County’s Community Services at (630) 407-6500 and ask to have a referral made to the Weatherization Department, or you can have a referral made at any Township Office in DuPage County or LIHEAP intake site.

Please see the attached flier for further information.

SCAM OF THE WEEK: Post-Shopping Scams

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? Because cybercriminals are just getting started. There are thousands of shopping-themed scams this time of year, but those scams don’t end when your cart is empty. Cybercriminals continue to target shoppers with urgent phishing emails about their recent purchases.

Two common post-shopping scams are fake shipping delays and unexpected purchase confirmations. Typically, these scams include a sense of urgency designed to catch you off guard in the hopes that you will click impulsively. You may be directed to click a link for tracking information or download a receipt for an expensive order that you did not place. These emails can be alarming, but if you take your time, they are easy to catch.

Use the tips below to spot post-shopping scams:
• If you are expecting a package and receive a related email, look for details such as the order number, purchase date, and payment method.
• If you receive a notice from a retailer, don’t click any links in the email. Instead, use your browser to navigate directly to the retailer’s official website and look up your order there.
• Remember to stop and look for red flags. For example, see if the email was sent outside of business hours or lists prices in a currency that you don’t typically use.

The KnowBe4 Security Team
KnowBe4.com

Despite the rain, many residents attended what turned out to be quite a magical evening; thank you to all who attended the Annual Kris Kringle Market and Tree Lighting last Friday, December 1st! The event was a success as all watched Santa and Mayor Franco as well as Park District President Andre Burke count down to the lighting of the tree and park.

Thank you to all who donated to the Diaper Drive; we collected 20 packages of diapers and monetary donations! A special thanks to the VFW Post 7539, as Post Commander Cliff Hall dropped off a check for $200 from the post to support the drive, the funds will be used for the purchase of additional diapers!

Make time for some holiday spirit and capture memories to treasure. While you are in Old Town Bloomingdale, be sure to stop by the piazza where the 40-foot Christmas tree sparkles. The tree along with the holiday lights in Old Town Park and Old Town Bloomingdale will remain on through New Year’s Day, be sure to visit and capture some holiday magic!

Spread the cheer and share your holiday photos in the comments on this post!

Just a reminder, this holiday season, let small businesses in our community know how much you appreciate them – be sure to shop local, shop Bloomingdale.

Consider buying holiday gifts at local shops or giving gift cards to local restaurants or services. By supporting Bloomingdale businesses, you help to support those things you love about our town.

Stop by the Diaper Drive tent tomorrow during the Kris Kringle Market to support the cause! Diapers will be distributed to local families in need through the Bloomingdale Township!

Thanks in advance for your consideration!

NAMDAR CASE SEEKING STRATFORD BUSINESS DISTRICT TAXES DISMISSED

On Wednesday, November 22, 2023 the 18th Judicial Circuit Court ruled in favor of the Village and dismissed with prejudice a suit filed by Stratford Realty, LLC and Stratford Nassim, LLC alleging the Village denied assignment of the Stratford Square Redevelopment Agreement to Namdar without just cause with the purpose of negatively impacting the value of the property. Under the terms of the Redevelopment Agreement Stratford Realty would have been entitled to monies collected under the Stratford Square Business District Tax for improvements to the mall.

Mayor Franco Coladipietro stated, “I am pleased the Circuit Court agreed with the Village’s position. The dismissal further reinforces the Village’s decision to take action in implementing a Redevelopment Plan for the Mall.”

Mayor Franco Coladipietro and the Village Board in 2022 decided the Village could no longer wait and moved forward in developing a possible land development plan based on the tremendous feedback received from the vision plans shared with the community through the Village website. The new plan will include a large green community gathering area that can be utilized yearlong surrounded by restaurants and entertainment/recreational type uses that are walkable for residents and visitors.

Residents may contact Village Administrator Pietro Scalera at [email protected] with any questions.

Beginning at 6:45 pm tomorrow, the Bloomingdale Public Library will be hosting their annual Holiday Open House! Stop by to join in the joyful holiday fun! See the attached post for more information.

Join us for our annual Holiday Open House next Tuesday, November 28!
At 6:45pm, we'll start outside to welcome our 'special guests' to light the holiday trees for the season. We'll then move inside to enjoy snacks, crafts, entertainment, and more!

For details, please visit https://mybpl.org/annualevents .
We hope to see you here!

Event co-sponsored by Village of Bloomingdale - Government . Special thanks to the Bloomingdale IL. Police Department Bloomingdale Fire Protection District #1 and Public Works.

The Village Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 in observance of the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday.

Reminder that Curbside Residential Refuse Collection performed by SBC Waste Solutions will be pushed back, operating one day behind for Thursday, due to the holiday. Thursday pickup will be on Friday.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Wishing you a day full of gratitude and joy!

Citizen Police Academy

Congratulations to the 27th Citizens Police Academy Class who graduated on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

The Citizen Police Academy, which originated in 1988, is a series of sessions designed to present an overview of law enforcement and the job of a police officer to the public. The 2023 program ran 10 weeks and included in the program were tours of the Addison Consolidated Dispatch Center and the Police Academy.

If you are interested in participating, the program runs once a year beginning in September. More information can be found on the Village website at https://www.villageofbloomingdale.org/218/Citizen-Police-Academy

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced that $25 million is available through the Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz program to provide additional support for businesses that launched during the pandemic.

The application process opens Thursday, November 30 and the deadline is Thursday, January 11, 2024. Information about the program, including how to apply, can be found on DCEO’s website at https://b2bnewbiz.com/.

SCAM OF THE WEEK: Unbottling the Soda Phish
A recent phishing scam discovered by INKY researchers is an example of how well-known name brands can be used to deceive unsuspecting users. This scam begins with a seemingly harmless email from an employee at PepsiCo requesting a quote to purchase something your organization is selling and includes a malicious file attachment disguised as a Request for Quote (RFQ). An RFQ is a simple way for an organization to ask different suppliers how much they would charge for a specific good or service.
In this phishing attempt, these cybercriminals spoof the email address to appear as if it's from PepsiCo. They even use an actual PepsiCo employee's name in some cases. The email uses common business terms to be more convincing. It also has a sense of urgency, threatening a consequence if you don't quickly respond. This urgency and the recognition of the PepsiCo brand increase the likelihood that you’ll take the bait.
Follow the tips below to stay safe from similar scams:
• Even if the sender appears legitimate, verify the email address and contact the organization through a different method, such as an official organization phone number.
• Beware of urgent requests. Take a moment to review and think critically, especially if the email includes a response deadline.
• Avoid opening attachments or clicking links from unsolicited emails.

The KnowBe4 Security Team
KnowBe4.com

A ceremony took place at last night's Village Board Meeting to recognize the promotion of Officer Jeremy Redic to Sergeant and the swearing-in of new police officer, Officer Matthew Fauth. They are pictured with Mayor Franco, Director of Public Safety Giammarese and Trustees Belmonte, Shannon, Von Huben, Ackerman, Bucaro, and Bolen and Clerk Hager.

Congratulations to Sergeant Redic and Officer Fauth-We wish them safety and success in their new positions!

The Village Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 in observance of the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday.

Curbside Residential Refuse Collection performed by SBC Waste Solutions will be pushed back, operating one day behind for Thursday the week of Thanksgiving, due to the holiday:
• Thursday pickup will be Friday
• Tuesday and Wednesday pickup remains the same

Thank you to the 11 Bloomingdale Police Officers who are Veterans of the Armed Forces:
Ofc Michael Amelio, Ofc Tyler Bzdelik, Ofc John Chrabot, Ofc Erick Cooper, Ofc Brendan Epps-Johnson, Ofc Jason Fitzenreider, Ofc Patrick McGinn, Ofc Nathaniel Miller, Ofc Daniel O'Connell, Sgt Jeremy Redic, and Ofc Fred Schuett

Please take a moment to view the attached post from the Bloomingdale IL. Police Department

Today is Veterans Day; the Village encourages the entire community to reflect on the human cost of our freedom and to learn more about the lives of those who have bravely served our country.

The Bloomingdale VFW Post 7539 will hold a short memorial service at 11:00 AM today, Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Gazebo - Bloomingdale Road & Fairfield Way.

The public is invited, all are welcome!

Just a reminder that the Village's Pumpkin, Paint & Paper Recycling Event is being held today from 8 AM until 12 PM at the Public Works Facility - 305 Glen Ellyn Road.

For more information about this recycling event please see attached flier.

We are excited to announce that the Bloomingdale Christmas Tree arrived in Old Town this morning, bringing holiday spirit to Old Town in a BIG way!

This beauty, which is a Norway Spruce standing 40 feet tall and approximately 28-foot wide, originated near the Village mulch site at Carriage Way & Glen Ellyn Road and now is a symbol of holiday tradition in Bloomingdale!

Over the next couple of weeks, the tree will be decorated with ornaments and lights, thanks to our Public Works guys!

We hope to see you as the tree is lit on Friday, December 1st at the Community Tree Lighting & Kris Kringle Market! https://www.facebook.com/events/1302988197019301/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

The Village of Bloomingdale is changing e-bill and online payment providers. Please go to www.invoicecloud.com/villageofbloomingdale to sign up for the new e-bill and online payment provider.

If you previously received e-bills or had an online account with the old provider, Green Pay, your account will not be transferred. You will need to create a new account with the new provider, Invoice Cloud. You may use either Green Pay or Invoice Cloud to pay your current bill.

If you are currently set up on auto pay, you will remain on auto pay.

You can also check out the Village of Bloomingdale website “Pay My Utility Bill” webpage for more information and a link to pay your utility bill, at: www.villageofbloomingdale.org/739/Pay-My-Utility-Bill

If you have any questions, please call (630) 893-7000.

SCAM OF THE WEEK: Amazon’s Not-So-Real Alerts
Have you noticed any suspicious PDF attachments in your Microsoft Outlook recently? There has been a surge in phishing emails with PDF attachments sent to Outlook users over the last several months. Many of these emails are Amazon-themed phishing scams that are focused on targeting Outlook users in North America, Southern Europe, and Asia.

In this scam, cybercriminals are posing as Amazon support and sending notifications claiming that your Amazon account is on hold due to billing errors. The email urges you to resolve this issue by clicking a link to update your billing information. The cybercriminals cleverly hide their malicious intent behind URL shorteners and other tricks, making these unsafe links hard to spot. If you click one of these links, you’ll be sent to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials or credit card information. The PDF files attached to these phishing emails also contain malware, which can cause security risks if you download them to your device.

Follow the tips below to stay safe from similar scams:
• Always be suspicious of unexpected emails, particularly if they ask for personal or financial information.
• If you receive an email claiming that you need to verify information on your account, navigate directly to the official website instead of clicking on a link.
• This attack isn't exclusive to Outlook users. Anyone who uses email can be exploited, so be careful with the emails you receive.

The KnowBe4 Security Team
KnowBe4.com

November 21, 2023 – Bloomingdale Garden Club Christmas Craft
Join the Garden Club as they make Christmas Crafts to bring holiday cheer to the residents of Bloomingdale’s West Suburban Nursing and Rehabilitation. You can also make one to take home (for a small fee)! Visitors are welcome! Project Begins Promptly at 2 PM.
Note: Winter meeting times have changed; social time starts at 1:15, announcements begin at 1:45 PM, Program starts at 2 PM, held at Cornerstone Faith Community Church, 118 First Street, Bloomingdale. For more information contact [email protected] or visit www.bloomingdalegardenclub.org/

The Bloomingdale VFW Post 7539 conducted a Winter Clothing Drive for Homeless Veterans throughout October; collection sites were hosted at the Village Hall, the Public Library, Park District and Fire District 1.

Members of the VFW took multiple trips, with the generous donations of more than 300+ coats, 350+ sweaters, 150+ other items. Also, the Post purchased 672 4-piece hat, gloves, scarf and sock sets which were all delivered to Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago.

Thank you to all who donated to this wonderful cause to help keep our veterans warm this winter!

The Bloomingdale CHARACTER COUNTS Coalition annual Celebration Night was held on Tuesday, October 3. This year's theme was the Pillar of Trustworthiness. The evening included the presentation of the 2023 American Youth Character Awards, (award recipients are pictured with their respective nominating official); Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!

Pictured, the 2023 American Youth Character Award Recipients and their nominating officials:
Village Trustee Vince Ackerman, Kaitlyn Grumeretz (Principal Stefan Larsson, Westfield Middle), Julian Buelvas (Principal Corie Alimento, St. Isidore School), Emilia Stranz (Principal Stacy Johnston, Erickson Elementary), Blake Marvucic (Principal Patrick Haugens, DuJardin), Genesis Fuentes (Principal Cody Battaglia, Winnebago Elementary) and Aiden Sickler (Coach Kelly Keats, Bloomingdale Baseball Softball Association)

Billions of jack-o’-lanterns whose wilting faces are now past their prime need to find a new home. Tossing pumpkins in the trash bin is the simplest solution, but is not the best for the environment.

Drop off your pumpkins at the Pumpkin, Paint & Paper Recycling Event where they will be collected and composted.

For more information and to see more details of this event, including items that will be accepted & not accepted, please see attached flier.

For questions, call S.B.C. (312) 522-1115 or email [email protected].

If you use battery-powered smoke detectors in your home or business, changing the batteries each fall as you turn your clocks back when Daylight Saving Time ends is a good habit to form.

Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 5th at 2:00 AM. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour and check the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

SCAM OF THE WEEK: Job Offer or Digital Danger?

Recently, cybercriminal groups in Vietnam have been targeting individuals by sharing fake job postings. According to WithSecure experts, these groups are primarily targeting the digital marketing sector and Facebook business accounts. These fake job postings are used to spread known malware such as DarkGate and Ducktail.

In this scam, cybercriminals use LinkedIn messenger to send you a link to a fake job description. If you click on the link, you’ll be sent to an unsafe website that will lead you to malware-infected Google Drive files. If you download these files, the cybercriminals can gain access to your internet browser's cookies and session data. This information helps them steal your login credentials and other sensitive information.

Follow the tips below to stay safe from similar scams:
• Be suspicious of unexpected LinkedIn messages, especially those with job offers from unfamiliar sources.
• Confirm that the person you’re speaking to is actually who they say they are. Look up the organization on official websites to verify job offers.
• Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true. Cybercriminals will use unrealistic job offers to lure you into fake websites to access your sensitive information.

The KnowBe4 Security Team
KnowBe4.com

It's beginning to look alot like....Halloween! Trick or Treating goes from 3-7 PM today.

Stick to the sidewalks and avoid walking on the road when you're going from house to house. In cases where sidewalks aren't available, make sure to walk facing the oncoming traffic and keep as close to the edge as you can.

Extra police officers in marked and unmarked cars will patrol the Village to ensure that children are safe and vandalism is minimized.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Tomorrow isn’t only Halloween, it is also the final day of the Winter Clothing Drive for Homeless Veterans; consider donating here at Village Hall or one of the other locations listed on the attached flier!

Thank you to those who have already generously donated!

Plan to bundle up for trick or treating tomorrow! There is even that scary four-letter word for precipitation in the forecast. Snow showers are possible on Halloween, but little to no accumulation is expected.

This isn’t a trick! Halloween 2023 will be marked by cold temperatures, blustery northwest winds, and snow showers. Bundle up in multiple layers if planning to trick-or-treat!

Thank you to the children and their families who attended our Boo’mingdale Halloween event this past Saturday. The Halloween Party is co-sponsored by the Village of Bloomingdale, the Bloomingdale Library, Police, Fire and Park District. We had great weather and a very successful event; over 1,500 patrons in attendance this year.

The event included many activities for patrons to enjoy: balloon artists, face painting, games, donuts and cider, photo booth area, a hay maze, bounce house and more.

A special thank you to the Village Public Works for helping set up the hay maze and clean up the event.

The event is successful in large part due to the many volunteers. Thank you to all of the volunteers; also to the Friends of the Library for helping with the donuts and cider table! The Police Department would specifically like to acknowledge Richard Baggio; Carol Cosentino; Linda Derrico; Roberta DiBasillio; Darlene Griffin; Margo Gusman; Francine Howard; Carol Nies; Brenda Nies; Milan Stevanovich!

We are excited to announce that BiBiBop will be going into the vacant tenant space in Bloomingdale Square Shopping Center, next to Poke Bros.

According to the company’s website, BiBiBop is a healthy, affordable, Asian quick service restaurant that serves real, unprocessed, high quality food. They are a “family empowered to make a difference for our guests and focused on improving every day”.

We will post updates on this project as it progresses!

Autumn is in the air and Bloomingdale has been in full color mode; hopefully you have been able to appreciate the fleeting season and the fall colors of the trees that have been beautifying our town. The Illinois Fall Color Report ( https://www.enjoyillinois.com/fall-colors-trip-planner/ ) estimates peak color in our region is almost past, so get out there and enjoy! It is a brief but beautiful season.

Below are some pictures of seasonal color, captured over the past week around town. Feel free to share yours in the comments below.

Join us for the annual Kris Kringle Market & Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 1st from 3:30-8:30pm in Old Town Bloomingdale. Shop for locally-made and one-of-a-kind gifts at the festive outdoor market, enjoy free kids’ activities, visit with Santa & watch the tree & Old Town Park light up. There will also be food vendors selling sweet & savory treats as well as beer & mulled wine to enjoy throughout the evening.

Mark your calendars for this joyous community event!

SCAM OF THE WEEK: Summit Sabotage

Earlier this year, an established cybercriminal group targeted the Women Political Leaders (WPL) Summit held in Belgium. Summits and conferences provide a unique opportunity for cybercriminals to target people of power or those who are experts in their field. Whether you’re a speaker or an attendee, this attack is a great learning opportunity.

In this scam, the cybercriminals created a malicious website that looked like the official WPL Summit website. Then, they invited attendees of the WPL Summit to download photographs from the event. If downloaded, you would receive a ZIP file that contained legitimate photographs. Unfortunately, the file also contained a downloader for a popular piece of backdoor malware. Once installed, the cybercriminal group could monitor your device and steal sensitive information.

Follow the tips below to stay safe from scams like this:
• Stop and think before downloading anything from the internet. This type of cyberattack relies on impulsive downloads.
• Always hover your mouse over a link to make sure that it leads to a legitimate and relevant website. Cybercriminals can easily make a website look official with logos and copied designs.
• Keep your devices up to date. Software updates often include security patches to protect you against known vulnerabilities.

The KnowBe4 Security Team
KnowBe4.com

We are excited to announce the opening of Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Bloomingdale on Monday, October 23rd. Cooper’s Hawk is an upscale casual dining restaurant with a full-service bar, private dining room, and Napa-style tasting room complete with new menu items & customer favorites and new modern rustic design.

Located at 200 S. Gary Ave., Cooper's newest location stands out with its unique look and modern rustic features designed to recreate the authentic wine country experience. The expansive tasting room with more than 60 varietals of wines, wine-focused retail shopping area, and full-service bar space with a unique barrel stave ceiling, all highlight the authentic winery vibe. Guests can choose from a menu of 110+ dishes made fresh from the Cooper’s Hawk scratch kitchen.

The main dining area seats approximately 427, including outdoor patio seating (weather permitting), and guests can also reserve seating inside the private dining area for up to 50 people. Reservations are now available via Open Table; the restaurant will be open for Thanksgiving. The opening of the restaurant brings more than 165 new jobs to Bloomingdale.

ABOUT COOPER’S HAWK WINERY & RESTAURANTS
Founded in 2005 by CEO Tim McEnery, Cooper’s Hawk was built upon the belief that food and wine hold the power to forge lasting connections. The portfolio currently includes 56 Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant locations, one of the world’s largest wine clubs with nearly 700,000 members, and “by Cooper’s Hawk” concepts that showcase a curated selection of specialized culinary and wine experiences.