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1. What does this Boil Order mean?

There was an interruption in the system on your area and due to the possibility of unsafe water, and the city has decided to order a precautionary boil order. Please boil all drinking water, this includes water for drinking, making ice cubes, washing foods, brushing teeth or any other activity involving consumption of water. Water should be brought to a full, rolling boil for at least 5 minutes to ensure that it is safe for consumption. Once you have boiled the water it may be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator in a closed container.

2. Why did the Boil Order happen?

This was due to unforeseen circumstances, we had an interruption in the system and we are doing this as a precautionary measure.

3. How long will the boil order be in effect?

We are sorry but there is no exact time frame right now, as the water has to get tested and the City has to receive the results in order to lift the boil order. For more information, you may contact the Water and Wastewater Department.

4. How will I know when the boil order is lifted?

Just as they door hangers were left to notify you of the Precautionary Boil Order, we will place door hangers to notify you that the Precautionary Boil Order has been lifted. Those door hangers will be green in color.

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1. Do I need a building permit?

Most external changes to a property except for planting require a permit. Internal permits are required if you are installing or changing electrical, plumbing and structural or when you open the walls (remove drywall or plaster), as well some other items. To see if your project requires a permit, contact the Building Department.

2. How do I apply for a building permit?

Download either the commercial or residential building permit form from the applications tab on the home page, and fill it out completely. If you are doing external work, you must submit a plat of survey of the property indicating what you are doing with distances from property lines and existing structures. Most work also requires drawings with all existing and new construction clearly marked including measurements.

If you have a homeowner’s association, you must submit a copy of their written approval. If you are a tenant, you must submit written permission from the property owner. For more specific information on your project, contact the Building Department.

3. What do I do if I started work without a permit?

You must stop all work and go through the application process. Once your permit has been picked up, you can resume work. You will be charged a penalty of three times the regular permit fee for beginning the work without a permit.

4. How long is my permit good?

You have 30 days from the date of issue to pick up the permit and six months from the date of issue to begin work. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issue.

5. Can I extend my permit?

Yes, you can request an extension in writing. You must notify us of the permit number, work site address, and date by which work will be completed. If you request the extension before the permit expires or within six months of the expiration date, you will be charged a fee of 1/12 of the current permit fee for each month the permit is extended. If you request the extension more than six months after the expiration date, you will be charged 100% of the current permit fee. The permit cannot be extended more than one year past its original expiration date.

6. If I failed an inspection, do I owe a fee?

Yes, there is a fee of $100.00 for each failed inspection. This fee must be paid before a re-inspection can be scheduled.

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1. Do I have to purchase an animal tag?

Yes, animal tags are $5.00 each. A total number of four dogs and/or cats shall be allowed in each residence or apartment of the owner or the person who has custody of the dog(s) or cat(s).

2. Where can I register to vote?

You can register to vote at the City Clerk’s Office. Two forms of identification are required, one must show the current residence of the applicant. Also, you must be a resident of your precinct 30 days prior to the election.

3. Do I need a burglar alarm permit?

Yes, if you have a burglar alarm in your home you are required to get a burglar alarm permit. The fee is $50.00 for the first year and $20.00 every year after. The permit fee is due June 30th of every year.

4. Do I need to have a permit for a garage sale?

Yes, a garage sale permit is required and the fee is $5.00 You can have a total of four garage sales per year, two with the City Wide sales and two on your own.

5. Do I need to register my home business?

Yes, if you have a home business you must register the business with the Clerk’s Office. It is an annual fee of $25.00 and the fee is due June 30th of every year. No customer traffic is allowed with a home business.

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1. How do I start and/or stop my utility (electric, water and sewer) service?

The City of Crest Hill requires a minimum notification period of two business days to start and/or stop utility service.

There are two ways you can start/ stop your utility service:
• Call the Finance Division at 815-741-3080
• Visit the Finance Division office at 1610 Plainfield Road. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

2. How do I pay for my utility bill?

The City of Crest Hill offers the following methods:
• Online through the City’s secure website via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express)
• Sign up for automatic payment via bank account
• Mail your check payment to City of Crest Hill, Finance Department, 1610 Plainfield Road, Crest Hill, IL 60403
• In person at the Finance Division office, 1610 Plainfield Road; Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Call the Finance Division at 815-741-3080

3. I received a "Past Due Notification Letter," can I make payment arrangements?

Upon receiving the “Past Due” notice, no payment arrangements can be made. You are required to pay the balance due in full to prevent your utility service from being disconnected.
Payment in full (including penalties and reconnection fees) must be made in cash or credit card either by calling 815-741-3080 or in person at the Finance Office, 1610 Plainfield Road, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please do not pay online or use the drop boxes.

4. My utility service has been disconnected, what should I do?

The utility service can be reconnected if your utility account balance has been paid in full (including penalties and reconnection fees) with cash, money order or credit card. Checks will NOT be accepted. Payments can be made in person at the Finance Division office, 1610 Plainfield Road, or calling 815-741-3080.

5. What if I dispute a charge on my City utility bill?

If you have a discrepancy on your bill, please notify the Finance Division staff prior to the next billing date by calling 815-741-3080 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Our staff will be happy to help resolve the situation accordingly.

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1. Who are the victims of identity theft?

Banks and retail merchants as well as the account holder become victims when an individual uses accounts to which they are not entitled to use. The holder of the account even through protected by insurance or credit card reimbursement provisions may have to go through a difficult, expensive and lengthy process to reestablish their credit.

2. How does identity theft occur?

Offenders who commit identity theft may or may not be known to the victim. There are many ways the offender uses to obtain the victim's account information. Information can be obtained from trash bins at banks, mortgage firms, social or credit agencies, city-state federal agencies, obituaries and residential garbage cans. Bank statements and credit card statements can be stolen from mailboxes. Identity thieves work at locations which have access to your personal records such as, car dealerships, mortgages, collection agencies, utility services and telemarketer. Information can sometimes be found on the internet or commercial databases that are fee accessed. Information obtained from these sources is used to assume false identity.

3. What do you do if you are a victim of identity theft?

If you have been victimized by identity theft, you should take certain steps to protect yourself and minimize the consequences. Correcting the damage to your credit rating and good name may be tedious and time-consuming. As you speak to people on the phone, write down the names of the people you talk with, their positions, their responses, and the dates and times of your conversations. When sending correspondence through the mail, keep copies, and use registered mail with a return receipt requested. The post office can help you with the procedures for registered mail.

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1. What is the Emergency Alert Program?

This service allows you to sign up to receive emergency and non-emergency notifications through your preferred method of communication. This could include:
- A Cell Phone
- E-Mail
- Home Phone
- Text Message
- Work Phone

You can also choose the locations you want to be contacted about. You can receive notifications about emergencies and other events that may impact the area around your home, your parents' home, your workplace, and your child's school, as long as those locations are within the boundaries of a participating Will County community.

2. When will it be used?

Whenever possible, the system will be used to notify subscribers about imminent threats to health, safety and property or for important community notifications. Please keep yourself informed by continuing to monitor other public safety warning and information systems (such as television and radio) whenever possible.

3. Will I still get emergency notifications if I don't sign up?

Will County has chosen to automatically import into the mass notification system publicly available landline phone information from the White Pages. If you do not sign up for this system, you will only receive Emergency Alert notifications on your landline phone, but nowhere else. However, if you have an unlisted traditional landline, or you only use a cell phone, you must sign up to receive any emergency or non-emergency alerts.

4. What if my phone number or email address changes?

If your cell phone, work phone, unlisted traditional landline or email address changes, you must visit your profile and update the information. The one exception is listed traditional landlines. If a listed traditional landline changes to another listed landline number, that information will be automatically updated annually. We encourage subscribers to keep their information current so we can maintain a robust and effective mass notification system.

5. Will my contact information be shared with others?

No, the information that you provide will be used for mass notification system purposes only. Will County will not give or sell your telephone numbers or email addresses to any third-party vendor or other public or private organization.

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1. What do I do if my water pressure is low?

You should run water from the outside faucet to check the pressure. If the pressure is low then check the screens at faucets and water softener filters. If necessary contact the City of Crest Hill during business hours. For additional information, contact the Water and Wastewater Department.

2. What do I do if my water is discolored or has an odor?

If the water is clear from the outside faucet then the hot water heater needs to be flushed and odor should stop once this has been done. If the water is not clear from the outside faucet, then do not run the water for 3 hours. After three hours, flush the water throughout your house.

3. At what point is a water leak the City of Crest Hill's responsibility?

Any leak between the curb stop (valve) and the home is the responsibility of the homeowner.