Thursday, February 10, 2022 |
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Dear River Forest residents,
Thank you for taking the time to read our weekly E-News. In this edition, read about Governor Pritzker’s plan to lift the statewide mask requirement on February 28th and learn how to get a $100 Visa gift card through Cook County vaccination sites. We also share helpful resources about identity theft, information about our green infrastructure, and a reminder to please be careful on how much salt is needed to clear sidewalks.
In each E-News, we feature a local business to help raise awareness of the wonderful establishments in River Forest that need our support. Please shop local!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Sincerely,
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Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
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Statewide Indoor Mask Requirement to be Lifted on February 28
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On Wednesday, February 9, Governor Pritzker announced his plan to lift the statewide mask requirement on Monday, February 28th. Click here to read the entire press release with full information.
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Now through Sunday, February 13, any person who gets a COVID-19 vaccine at a Cook County Health site will receive a $100 Visa gift card, while supplies last.
This promotion is open to anyone age 5 and older who receives a first, second or booster shot. There is no limit to the number of gift cards a single household can receive.
Appointments can be made by clicking here or by calling 833-308-1988. Walk-ins are also welcome. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are offered at all sites.
Booster shots are encouraged for all people ages 12 and older 5 months after their second shot of Pfizer or Moderna. Individuals who received a single dose of Johnson & Johnson are encouraged to get a booster shot, preferably of Pfizer or Moderna, two months later. Individuals getting a second or booster shot must be within their window to receive their next dose.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to protect your health and the health of others. Increasing vaccination rates is essential to moving beyond the pandemic. CCH sites are also offering free KN95 masks, regardless of vaccination status. Click here to find a vaccination site near you.
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The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is identified by the U.S Department of Justice as an official support resource for the public. The ITRC was established as a national non-profit in 1999 and provides identity theft recovery and prevention services at no cost. To access ITRC services, contact them at 1.888.400.5530 Monday through Friday 6 AM PT to 5 PM ET or click here.
Immediate questions can be directed to Officer Ben Ransom of the River Forest Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at 708.714.3543 or bransom@vrf.us. If you suspect that you are a victim of identity theft and want to make a police report, contact the River Forest Police Department Non-Emergency Number at 708.366.7125.
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Sustainability - What is Green Infrastructure and Why is it Important? |
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains that green infrastructure is any method including landscaping and permeable pavements that “filters and absorbs stormwater where it falls.” Why is this important? Because runoff from stormwater is a major cause of flooding and water pollution in urban areas. Since 2015, the Village has been working on a major green infrastructure project to convert the Village’s 32 alleys to slope towards permeable pavers in the center. The 2023 - 2027 Capital Improvement Plan, which is a component of the Village’s annual budget, accelerates completion of the remaining 14 alleys by the end of 2023. This should be welcome news to residents, especially homeowners dealing with flooding issues.
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Sustainability - Salting Walkways and Driveways Responsibly |
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Snowfall can be a pleasant sight to see. However, with snow and ice comes salt on our roads and sidewalks. Road salts help thaw icy conditions but can harm our waterways. Excessive road salts run off our sidewalks and streets, entering sewers and bodies of water where they can negatively impact wildlife, vegetation, and drinking water. Water reclamation plants cannot always filter out excessive salt before releasing it as clean water into the Chicago Area Waterway System. There are ways you can do your part to protect the environment at home. Only use salt after the snow is removed, and only in icy areas. Purchase deicing products containing calcium chloride and magnesium chloride that are less harmful to wildlife and the waterways, and distribute the salt evenly, not in clumps. For more sustainable salt tips, click here. |
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OPRF Museum Black History Month Activities and Events |
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In honor of Black History Month, the Oak Park-River Forest Museum is hosting various events and activities for the community to enjoy. The Open House: The Legacy of Fair Housing exhibit is currently on display depicting how the community grappled with race prior to the passage of the 1968 Fair Housing Act and the Act’s effects and legacy today. The Museum is also offering a variety of educational resources such as web stories highlighting legendary African American residents from the Oak Park and River Forest area, Black History Month book recommendations, and more.
Click here for more information on the Black History Month events, programs, and educational resources being offered.
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Geraldine McCullough - Black History Month |
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Geraldine McCullough is revered worldwide for her life-like sculptures. Locally, she was best known as a faculty member at Dominican University for 25 years, teaching art and spending half the time as Chair of the Art Department. Some of her most notable sculptures include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., located across from the Illinois State Capitol, and the Pathfinder, situated in front of Oak Park Village Hall.
Click here to learn more about the life and legacy of Geraldine McCullough.
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Are you looking for a moist layer cake that is the perfect balance of silky and sweet for your next special occasion? If so, Butter Cream Flour is the perfect bakery for you! Butter Cream Flour is a licensed home-based bakery in River Forest, IL, specializing in buttercream frosted layer cakes. Everything is made from scratch, using high-quality natural ingredients—like Callebaut and Ghirardelli chocolate and cage-free eggs. The buttercream recipe is the product of over 18 months of recipe testing, spreadsheet-making, tweaking, and comparing.
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What's Happening in River Forest?
to find out, today!
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400 Park Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
(708) 366-8500
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