|
Dear River Forest residents,
During the April 8 Board meeting, the Village Board was presented with a balanced Fiscal Year 2025 annual budget. A copy of the annual budget can be found here. The entire presentation can be heard on our YouTube channel found here.
If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day, which is on Monday, April 22, there are several community events to look forward to this month. Please review the article included in this newsletter for more information on how to support sustainability efforts for our environment.
Lastly, please note that the Village Board meeting originally scheduled for April 22 has been moved to Monday, April 29 at 7 p.m.
Sincerely,
| |
Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
| |
The Village extends its condolences to the families and friends of two River Forest residents who recently passed away. Both women were invaluable to the communities they served. | |
Local resident Mary T. Small, who served as a member of the Friends of River Forest Library and a Trustee of the River Forest Public Library Policy Committee, passed away April 4 in her Elmhurst home. Mary demonstrated a deep commitment and advocacy for senior citizens, breathing life and momentum into the " Celebrating Seniors" Campaign, as a member of the Celebrating Seniors Coalition in 2011, and as one of the pioneers of Celebrating Seniors Week. She died at the age of 91. | |  |
Caroline Meister passed away on March 18 at the age of 32. She was a 2010 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School and graduated from Oberlin College in 2014, where she found her passion for social justice causes. After graduation, she worked at the YWCA of Lorain County, Ohio leading Girls Circles for impoverished teens. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22, at St. Giles Catholic Church. A catered luncheon will immediately follow the service. For those who wish to offer a remembrance in Caroline’s name, tax-deductible donations can be made to either the Tassajara Zen Center and/or Thrive Counseling Center. | | |
|
There are a number of events residents can attend to honor Earth Day, which is officially celebrated on April 22. On Friday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m., Triton College is hosting a special collaboration with the One Earth Film Festival. The College will be showing two films about waste, health and climate change and tickets are free, but an $8 donation to One Earth Film Festival is suggested. On Saturday, April 20, the River Forest Park District and Cook County Forest Preserve is hosting a Des Plaines River Trail Cleanup from 8 - 10 a.m. Later that morning, residents can attend a Styrofoam Recycling Event from 9 a.m. - noon in the west Thatcher Commuter lot, hosted by the Village and D90's Green4Good Team. Finally, the Trailside Museum of Natural History has a lineup of events on Saturday, April 20 beginning at 10 a.m. including tree planting, building a birdhouse, and cleaning up litter. You can learn more here.
| |
Tax season is here and the Police Department aims to provide assistance in safeguarding residents from potential scammers. It's important to note that the IRS does not communicate via phone to threaten individuals for unpaid taxes; however, impersonators posing as IRS agents have done this. Shockingly, in 2022, taxpayers in Illinois collectively reported losses amounting to $5.7 billion due to tax-related scams and fraudulent activities. Please click here to learn more. | | |
A public hearing held by the Historic Preservation Commission, regarding the application for a garage demolition that is currently listed on the Village survey of architecturally or historically significant properties, will take place Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at Village Hall. Residents are welcome to attend the hearing and will be provided an opportunity to address the Historic Preservation Commission regarding the proposed project. A copy of the application and meeting agenda can be found here. | | |
|
The One Earth Film Festival will return for its 13th year from Wednesday, April 17 - Sunday, April 21 with films being shown virtually, as well as at several venues in and around Chicago. One Earth Film Festival is a Chicago area film festival that creates opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability, and the power of human involvement through sustainability-themed films and facilitated discussion. It showcases top-issue and thought-provoking environmental films that lead audiences in interactive post-film discussions that are focused on solutions. Through these films, concrete actions for those who want to make a change are also offered. Information on the festival and this year’s films can be found here.
| |
Pet licenses are now available at Village Hall and are valid from May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025. Both dogs and cats are required to be registered with the Village. For more information and to download the pet license application, or to purchase your pet license online, please click here. | | |
Quarterly Community Safety Meeting | The next Quarterly Community Safety Meeting will be held in-person Wednesday, April 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Village Hall, and will also be held on Zoom. These meetings were established several years ago so that the Police Department and community members can discuss issues related to the safety and security of our residents, businesses, and visitors to our Village. For more information, click here. | | |
Before You Dig, Call Julie | |
|
April is National Safe Digging Month! If you're planning a spring project that requires digging on your property - including building a new deck or patio, planting trees or shrubs, or adding a new fence - call JULIE first at 811 or 800-892-0123. Utility location requests are quick, simple and FREE, and need to be made at least two business days prior to digging!
| |
Distracted Driving Awareness Month | April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Police Department is reminding residents about the importance of focusing on the road! If you can’t wait to send a text, pull over to a safe location first. This single action could save your life - or the lives of those around you. #DropItandDrive | | |
The 4th Annual Triton College Car Show will take place on Sunday, April 28 at Triton College from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Check out hundreds of hot rods, classic cars, service vehicles and big rigs - and then take a tour of Triton’s incredible Automotive Technology facilities. Admission and parking are free. Learn more here. | | |
Concordia 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, in addition to professional certificates. To take advantage of this opportunity, click here.
| |
OPRF Environmental Club Thrift Store | |
|
On Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28, Oak Park and River Forest High School’s Environmental Club will be holding their second annual Thrift Store from 2-5 p.m. at the 1 East Gym. The group has already started a clothing collection and plan on continuing the collection through Friday, April 26. Profits from the event will go to the Alliance For The Great Lakes and all extra clothing will be donated to other thrift stores and church organizations directly benefiting local migrants. Local residents can make a donation at the bin located in the welcome center and enjoy the event. To learn more, click here.
| |
Take Advantage of Rain Barrels | |
|
The Village has a strong focus on sustainability, and there are many green initiatives that residents can participate in to be kinder to our environment. Utilizing rain barrels is one way, which helps to harvest rainwater for both indoor and outdoor plants - instead of using Village water. Learn more here.
| |
River Forest Business Spotlight! | |
|
Ice Ice Baby is a cafe that appeals to all ages and offers more than 40 flavors of ice cream, bakery treats, smoothies, shakes, coffee, sandwiches and more! The location is open Monday - Saturday from 3 - 8 p.m. You can view their full menu here.
Please support local businesses whenever possible! If you have a business located in River Forest with a valid business license, it can be featured in the Village’s business spotlight. If you’d like your business to be featured, please send us an email. You can find a listing of River Forest businesses on the Village’s Shop River Forest website.
| |
|
|
What's Happening in River Forest?
to find out, today!
| | | |
Click the name below to visit the organization's website:
| | | | |
