Concordia University Tuition Discount, Electric Vehicle Readiness Program, Student Day of Service and More!

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Dear River Forest residents,

For Cook County residents who sustained property damage from storms and floods that hit the area June 29 through July 2, 2023, President Joe Biden has approved a Disaster Declaration. These residents are now eligible to receive grants and low interest loans, as well as participate in other programs that offer disaster relief. To learn more or apply for assistance, click here.

Congratulations to Oak Park River Forest history teacher Dr. Tyrone Williams, Jr. on being named the 2023 Illinois History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. To read more about Dr. Williams’ amazing accomplishments, click here. Also, please remember the new school year has officially begun and the Police Department will be enforcing laws and assisting with traffic flow. Be sure to obey speed limits in our school zones, and be respectful and courteous to pedestrians, fellow motorists, and buses transporting our young people.

Lastly, this Saturday, August 26, you can enjoy two River Forest events. The Historical Society Women’s History Walking Tour will take place at 10 a.m., followed by the Village’s annual Food Truck Rally, which starts at 4 p.m.

Sincerely,

Cathy Adduci, Village President

Village of River Forest

Concordia University Tuition Discount

Employees or owners of local businesses within 10 miles of Concordia University Chicago are eligible to receive a 10% tuition discount on any of the University’s online accelerated bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees, as well as professional certificates. Take advantage of this opportunity to increase your expertise for the workforce, which can lead to better employee retention and overall staff satisfaction, by clicking here. Please Note: the deadline to register for the fall semester is Friday, September 1.

One Earth Global Awards Celebration

Join One Earth Film Festival on Sunday, September 17 at 11:30 a.m. for the One Earth Global Awards Celebration! Participants will watch what have been chosen as the best short environmental films from young people across the globe - who won a prize for their submission to the Young Filmmakers Contest. Attendees can participate either online or in-person at the Gene Siskel Film Center. This event is free to attend and complimentary popcorn and beverages will also be served. To learn more or register for tickets, click here.

Chamber Business Spotlight

Save the date for the Oak Park - River Forest (OPRF) Chamber of Commerce's 2023 Business Spotlight Celebration on Tuesday, October 10 at 5 p.m. This event celebrates businesses that add to the character of our communities. If you’re a business community member and not yet a OPRF Chamber member, take advantage of a complimentary six month membership - offered through a partnership between the OPRF Chamber and the Village - by calling 708-613-0550.

Annual Pie Bake Off

Area residents are invited to participate in the fifth annual Pie Bake-Off at the Oak Park Farmers Market! This competition is open to amateur and professional bakers over the age of 16 and will take place on Saturday, September 9. Contest entry form submissions are being accepted now through the end of the month for both contest participants and judges. For more information, send an email.

Online Portal

The Village's online portal makes it easy to access a number of services without ever leaving the house! Residents are able to pay utility bills online, apply for building permits, put in service requests, pay for commuter parking, and more! To see the full range of online services available, click here.

Student Day of Service

Student Day of Service is Wednesday, September 13 and Oak Park River Forest High School is looking for local organizations with student volunteer opportunities. Please complete the form found here if you have a service opportunity for a group of students willing to give you a helping hand on this day of service!

Source Grant Application Deadline

The deadline for the Cook County Source Grant is tomorrow, August 25 by 11:59 p.m. There are $40 million in grants being offered to small businesses to help stabilize operations, foster recovery and resilience, and to advance equity. Businesses located in Cook County with fewer than 20 full-time employees that were in business prior to 2020 are eligible to apply. For more information or to submit an application, click here.

River Forest Begins Electric Vehicle Readiness Program

The Village of River Forest Sustainability Commission is excited to announce they are teaming up with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and ComEd to expand Electric Vehicle (EV) access in our community! By joining a first-of-its-kind Electric Vehicle Readiness Program, the Village will take part in training designed to build safe and effective policies that help more residents enjoy the environmental and cost savings benefits of zero emission vehicles. To improve clean transportation access, the Village plans to streamline permits for EV charging infrastructure, analyze zoning and parking codes to address barriers to EV infrastructure, and participate in technical and safety training for staff. To learn more, please visit page three here.

River Forest Business Spotlight!

Kirk Eye Center has been serving the Chicagoland area for more than 50 years! They have experienced specialists to provide advanced services that help patients obtain optimal eye health and clearer vision, from general eye exams - to specialized care such as LASIK and laser cataract surgery. Kirk Eye Center also has a full optical shop for all your spectacle needs. To learn more, or make an appointment, call

708-627-9400 or click here.

Please support local businesses whenever possible! You can find a listing of River Forest businesses on the Village’s Shop River Forest website. If you’d like your business to be featured in the weekly Business Spotlight, please send us an email.