Thursday, August 26, 2021
Dear River Forest residents,

In this newsletter, we have the latest information on the FDA’s recent approval of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine that is now being marketed under the new name Comirnaty, along with mask mandate updates and resources if you are interested in becoming vaccinated. 

The Village’s green and woodsy setting is one of the things that makes River Forest special, but it also can attract animals from the wild. Please remember that coyotes are present in the area, and people out walking their dogs should take notice, for their safety and that of their pets. Please visit this link to review safety tips related to living peacefully alongside our coyote neighbors. 

Save the date - Saturday, October 2 - for the upcoming Tour De Proviso Community Ride, where elected officials from several area communities will be participating in a community bike ride. In addition to representatives from River Forest, individuals from Melrose Park, Riverside, Maywood, Bellwood and Broadview will also take part in this event. Click here for more information. 

And finally, our local children are now all back in session for the school year. This means increased traffic in school zones where you should always remember to obey the speed limit and other restrictions, as well as refrain from using cell phones. Please, be ever aware of both buses as they pick up and drop off children, and young people who are walking or biking to, or from school.

Sincerely,
Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
Governor Announces Statewide Mask Mandate
In an announcement earlier today, Governor Pritzker reinstated the statewide mask mandate effective Monday, August 30. All individuals ages 2 and over will be required to wear a face covering in all public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. The State's mandate is in response to emerging COVID-19 cases across Illinois and follows Cook County's indoor mask mandate, which has been in effect since Monday, August 23. For more information, click here.
 
State and county health officials continue to encourage vaccinations as the best line of defense against the virus and its variants. Pre-scheduled and walk-in appointments are available at several locations, and homebound suburban Cook County residents can learn more about how to receive the vaccine here. For the latest River Forest vaccine data, click here and select 'Data by Town'. To view percentages of fully vaccinated individuals across the state, click here.
Covid-19 Vaccine Update

Earlier this week, the FDA announced its approval of the first COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer-BioNTech, which will now be marketed as Comirnaty. The vaccine is approved for use in individuals ages 16 and over, but continues to be available under emergency use authorization for individuals 12-15 years of age. 
 
Additionally, the FDA has approved emergency use for third doses or ‘boosters’ of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for immunocompromised individuals, who are now eligible to receive them. Boosters are expected to be available to all other individuals starting the week of September 20, pending FDA approval. According to public health organizations, third doses should be scheduled eight months after the second dose was received, and are necessary because vaccine protection wanes over time.
Rotary Food Truck Rally
The River Forest Park District and Rotary Club of Oak Park River Forest will be hosting the annual food truck rally this Saturday, August 28 from 3:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Keystone Park. This event includes entertainment, family activities, a beer tent and more. Click here to view the current line-up of food trucks and learn more about this event.
New Police Officer Welcomed
Officer Anthony Cortes recently graduated from the Police Academy and began his Field Training Officer training last weekend. The Village would like to congratulate Officer Cortes on his accomplishment, and wish him safety and success in his new role with the Police Department.
ComED Care Programs
The ComEd CARE programs offer a range of financial assistance options to help eligible residential, small business, military and nonprofit customers pay electric bills. For more information about available payment assistance options and for eligibility requirements, click here.
Back-To-School Sustainability Tips
The Sustainability Commission is asking residents to reduce, reuse and recycle as they begin the new school year, by offering tips from the EPA. These ‘green’ ideas include reusing supplies from prior years or buying new ones that are made from recycled materials. Using reusable lunch containers and water bottles instead of single-use products can help cut back on waste. And rather than carpooling - try ‘walkpooling’ if possible, to help save gas. For more back-to-school sustainability tips, click here.

Karl's Craft Soup serves homemade soups that are artfully prepared from the season's tastiest ingredients. Through collaboration with a community pop-up market, Karl’s is able to feature a variety of family-friendly prepared foods and fun specialty treats, every Friday! To learn more or to place an order, click here.
Shop River Forest! Please support our local businesses whenever possible! You can find a listing of River Forest businesses on the Village’s website. If you’d like your business to be featured in the weekly Business Spotlight, please send us an email.
What's Happening in River Forest?

Visit the River Forest Community Calendar at rfhappenings.com
to find out, today!