Small Business Saturday, Trinity High School Blood Drive, Holiday Hustle 5K and More!

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Dear River Forest residents,

The Village Board makes every policy decision with three goals in mind; to provide a safe community, protect property values through a high level of customer service and to stabilize property taxes through fiscal responsibility. At Monday’s Board meeting, the Village Board unanimously voted to accept a modest increase in the Village’s tax levy for the 2022 tax year. The 2022 levy represents a 4% increase, however, property owners will likely see a lower increase around 3.7%. The Village’s levy increase is below the consumer price index, and only represents approximately 11% of your full property tax bill. The majority of property tax bills (approximately 72%) goes to local schools, including D90, D200 and Triton College.

By raising the levy and continuing to practice fiscal responsibility, the Village is able to invest in continually improving services for residents. One example is the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Study that was also unanimously approved by the Village Board on Monday. This study will provide us the tools to strategically plan for future charging stations and identify methods to fund such projects.

Also, please save the date on Saturday, December 17, for “Light up the Night”. This River Forest tradition, in which residents line the streets with candles for the holiday season, is sponsored by the Kiwanis of River Forest and Oak Park. See below for more information on how to secure your luminary kits.

Finally, Small Business Saturday is next week on November 26 and celebrates the positive impact that business owners have on communities across our country. Please consider kicking off your holiday shopping at the unique stores and boutiques in River Forest. More information on this event can be found in an article below.

Sincerely,

Cathy Adduci, Village President

Village of River Forest

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is on November 26 this year. Support River Forest small businesses by shopping local this holiday season! Click here for a list of businesses located right here in our community. Not sure what to make for dinner? Take a night off from cooking and order carry-out, delivery or dine-in at one of our local restaurants!

Did you know if you spend $100 at a local small business, nearly $50 of those dollars go back to the community to provide vital services such as police and fire, snow removal and more? If you buy at a regional chain store, just $14 comes back - and online shopping brings just $1 to the community!! These are just a few reasons to shop locally in River Forest!

Northeast Neighborhood Temporary Traffic Improvements

Next week, the Village’s Public Works Department will begin deploying the temporary traffic barriers associated with the Northeast Neighborhood Traffic Study. The temporary improvements were approved by the Village Board on October 10. To read more about the improvements, visit this page.

Holiday Hustle 5K

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Start the holiday season with some fresh air and exercise - and bring the whole family! There is still time to register for the 6th annual Holiday Hustle 5k on Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. beginning at Good Earth Greenhouse. Proceeds from the event will support the Future Philanthropists Program. Learn more and register here.

Kiwanis Light Up the Night Event

Save the date for 'Light up the Night' on Saturday, December 17. The Kiwanis of River Forest and Oak Park sponsor this annual event and have assembled luminary kits for purchase. Each kit is $10, with net proceeds benefitting local youth. Included are ten white paper bags, ten plain wax candles, sand, instructions and helpful hints. Recommended spacing is five feet between lights, with one kit lining one side of the sidewalk. However, many residents like to line both sides of the sidewalk, in which case two kits would be necessary. Kits are now available for porch pickup here. Cash or checks addressed to the Kiwanis of River Forest and Oak Park can be dropped into the mail slot to the right of the door with the supplied envelope. Don't forget to grab one sandbag for each kit purchased!

Trinity Blood Drive

Trinity High School will be sponsoring a blood drive in partnership with the Rotary Club of Oak Park River Forest on Wednesday, November 30 from noon until 6 p.m. The event will be held in the Sister Michelle Germanson Athletic Facility foyer. Click here to register!

Snow Parking Reminder

Please remember that parking is not permitted on any Village street after two inches of snow or more has accumulated on the street. Residents are reminded to avoid parking on Village streets for up to eight hours after the snowfall ends to provide space for snow plows to clear streets. This helps our dedicated Public Works crews to do their jobs and keep our streets clean and safe. Please note: The Village will not grant overnight parking passes during these periods.

Yard Sign Recycling in River Forest

Recycling bins are available for corrugated plastic yard signs on Central Avenue under the railroad viaduct next to Village Hall. Only these types of signs will be accepted, and metal stakes must be removed prior to recycling. A separate bin will be available to dispose of stakes.

Drop off is open to the public 24 hours a day through noon on Monday November 21. Please note this is a special pick up, and that corrugated plastic signs and metal stakes should not be placed in curbside recycling bins.

Conserve Energy!

Keeping your drapes open during the day to let the warm sunshine in and closing drapes at night is an excellent way to conserve energy. Additional options include unplugging small appliances when they are not in use, and turning down the heat at night or when you'll be gone for a while. There are many ways each of us can help cut down the amount of energy consumed while reducing air pollution simultaneously. Learn more here.

River Forest Business Spotlight!

Hockey season has begun! Make Gunzo's Hockey Headquarters your one-stop shop for a wide selection of full-service hockey equipment, accessories, NHL Jerseys, hockey apparel and merchandise. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, Gunzo’s has all the hockey equipment for your needs. Stop by Gunzo’s today or visit https://www.gunzos.com/.

Please support 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.