Thursday, January 20, 2022 |
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Dear River Forest residents,
You can now order your free in-home COVID-19 test kits! See below for more information. It is easy and fast!
On Monday, January 24th, the Village Board and I will have a Special Committee of the Whole meeting at 6PM to review the first draft of the annually updated five-year Capital Improvement Plan. To learn more, click here.
It is with great pride and gratitude that I give a big thanks to a local newspaper for acknowledging our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group as their Villager of the Year! Click here to read the article published last week. The 45-member appointed advisory group is co-chaired by Trustee Erika Bachner, Trustee Ken Johnson, and our Village Administrator Brian Murphy and previously acting Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner. I am excited about the momentum this group has and look forward to great things to come.
Our Board and I are guided by 3 principles that form our vision for River Forest. They are:
1. Provide for a safe community to live and work;
2. Strengthen our quality of life so we enjoy where we live and work;
3. Stabilize our property taxes so that we can afford to live and work in our community.
Below is a message from Police Chief Jim O’Shea about the efforts our Police Department is doing to provide for a safe community. Also, a reminder about the Quarterly Community Safety meeting which we encourage you to attend by zoom or in person.
Lastly, please consider joining the Community Solar program. It is easy to sign up and it will save you money on your energy bills. See below for more information.
Sincerely,
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Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
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Every home in the United States is eligible to order 4 at-home COVID-19 tests at no cost. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Ordering tests is free, quick, and easy. Visit COVIDtests.gov and order your tests now, so you have them when you need them.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots, click here. To find a list of COVID-19 vaccination sites, click here. To find a list of COVID-19 testing sites, click here.
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A Message From the Desk of Police Chief James O'Shea
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The mission of the River Forest Police Department is to provide professional, high quality and effective police service in partnership with the community. The Department members believe that this partnership has a vital impact on the safety and quality of life that both residents and visitors experience on a daily basis.
In addition to a community-wide effort, the Department members focus on fair and impartial policing, protecting vulnerable and underrepresented members of society, alternatives to arrest, advanced training, and officer wellness. Reducing violence against persons, especially gun related violence, is a goal not just to meet but to exceed.
Our officers appreciate the residents’ proactive implementation of crime prevention strategies, such as adding landscape and motion sensor lighting, updating security systems with cameras, locking doors and windows, and actively looking out for their neighbors. The Department continually strives for excellence and is always welcome to your suggestions on how we might serve you better.
All of our efforts together have created a safe community for all of us to live and work.
Let’s have a safe, alert, and healthy 2022,
Chief James O’Shea
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Quarterly Community Safety Meeting |
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The Quarterly Community Safety Meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 26, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Village Hall and virtually on Zoom. The purpose of the meeting is to update residents and encourage their involvement in the community while assisting the River Forest Police Department to prevent, stop, and solve crimes. Furthermore, guest speakers from Beyond Hunger and Housing Forward will address the community, and members of the Police Department will speak on traffic analyses and crime prevention tips. Lastly, the meeting will conclude with an open forum for community member questions, comments, and concerns.
Click here to join the meeting virtually.
For any questions, contact Ofc. Ransom #153 at (708) 714-3543 or email bransom@vrf.us.
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Support Solar Energy and Save
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Want a simple way to use cheaper, renewable energy that helps fight climate change? Consider a community solar subscription! A community solar project is a single solar generation site shared by multiple subscribers that provides:
- Economic benefits: Save money on the supply portion of your electric bill. There are no signup or cancellation fees.
- Convenience: Get access to solar power without installing solar panels on your property. Both homeowners and renters may participate in this program.
- Environmental benefits: Generate carbon-free, renewable solar power while reducing air and water pollution.
Click here to reserve a spot in the Village’s new community solar program.
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Reminder - Compost Your Holiday Greens |
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Tuesday, January 25 is the last day to have holiday greens such as live Christmas trees, wreaths and garland collected by the Village’s waste hauler. The holiday greens must be placed on the parkway prior to 7AM. Please remove all lights, tinsel, ornaments, metal hangers, plastic material and stands prior to placing at the curb for pick-up as these materials will prevent the item from being properly composted. All compost made from these items will be distributed as part of compost shared each April with LRS customers who pay for curbside composting. Click here to learn more about the VRF curbside composting program.
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Koalaty is your one-stop-shop for all things gaming, trading cards, and collectible action figures. Koalaty hosts local card game tournaments in a COVID safe space every Friday and Sunday. Are you looking for space to host your event? Koalaty now offers space for birthday parties and private events!
For more information, please call (708) 689-0445 or email ktygamesmf@gmail.com.
If you’d like for your business to be featured, email info@vrf.us. Visit the Shop River Forest at vrf.us/ShopRF.
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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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