Snow Removal Reminders, Updated Illinois Smoke Alarm Law, 2022 Sustainability Achievements and More!

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Dear River Forest residents,

Thank you to all community members who participated in the School District 90 kindergarten survey. The Kindergarten Program Review Committee will be assessing the survey responses and concerns and then bringing their recommendations before the Board of Education in February of 2023. Your input into this project has been invaluable! If you’d like to learn more about the Kindergarten Program Review, please click here.

Due to the snow storms and severely low temperatures in our area, please stay safe and consider alternate arrangements if you are planning travel on our roadways. For more information on how this storm will affect holiday parking on residential streets, please refer to the article below.

Finally, I would like to take a moment to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!

Sincerely,

Cathy Adduci, Village President

Village of River Forest

Snow Parking Reminder

The predicted snowstorm for our area has begun and as a reminder, parking is not permitted on any Village street after two inches of snow or more has accumulated - and for up to eight hours after the snowfall ends to allow snow plows to safely clear the streets. Thank you for your assistance in helping the Village keep our roads safe!

Please note: the overnight parking ban was lifted today, December 22, through 9 a.m. on Monday, January 2, 2023, for the holidays. No overnight waivers will be required during this period although parking on Village streets will not be permitted with snowfall totaling two inches or more.

Village Hall

Holiday Hours

The Village Board and Staff would like to wish all residents a healthy and happy holiday season! Please note: Village Hall will be closed Friday, December 23, and Monday, December 26, and will reopen at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27 for normal business hours. Refuse collection service will not be affected and takes place as regularly scheduled.

Updated Illinois

Smoke Alarm Law

Since 1988, all homes and buildings in Illinois are required to have smoke alarms. Beginning January 1, 2023, a new law goes into effect requiring all homes to install new smoke alarms with a 10-year sealed battery. This means the smoke alarm will have a lithium battery with a 10-year life span, so there is no need to replace the battery during the life of the alarm. For more information, click here.

2022 Sustainability Achievements

The River Forest Sustainability Commission had several noteworthy achievements in 2022. One of these accomplishments include making it easier to access solar energy. In addition to a two-year renewal of its Community Aggregation Program, River Forest also added a Community Solar option in January and received a SolSmart Silver designation for rooftop solar.

To encourage electric vehicle ownership, which is up nearly 40% from the previous year, River Forest installed its first public electric vehicle charging station, and recently approved an EV Infrastructure Study to determine optimal sites for future charging stations.

Finally, in order to reduce waste in the Village, River Forest passed a single-use plastic foodware ordinance and added more composting options in the renegotiated waste haul contract. This effort has led to a 14% increase in the number of households composting.

Family Movie Night at the Library

Children in second through fourth grades are invited, along with their families, to a movie night at the River Forest Public Library. Frozen will be playing tonight, December 22 from 6 - 8 p.m. and all attendees will leave with a winter-themed surprise! Reservations can be made here.

Holiday Spectacular from OPRF Chamber

Have you checked out this year's edition of the Holiday Spectacular presented by the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce? This is your guide to holiday shopping and dining in River Forest, Oak Park and Forest Park - and also contains information about special events around town, in addition to coupons and recipes. You can view it here. Please shop local this holiday season and support our small businesses!

Sustainable Gift Giving

This holiday season, choose durable, repurposed, easily repairable or upcycled items when purchasing holiday gifts. Thoughtful gifts that affirm a commitment to the planet include:

• Bicycles and comfortable hiking shoes to encourage slow transportation and healing walks in nature.

• Solar-powered devices and chargers that support renewable energy.

• Consumable items and foods that won’t clutter the home or a landfill.

• Services and experiences that don’t need to be gift wrapped.

• Donations to environmental charities that are meaningful to the recipient.

Purchasing any of these items for a loved one is taking a sustainable step in the right direction! For additional sustainable holiday gift ideas, click here and scroll to page five.

River Forest Business Spotlight!

Thinking about your 2023 New Year's resolution? In & Out Fitness is a full-service fitness studio committed to providing safe and effective training to everyone from seasoned fitness enthusiasts to beginners. They have the latest in fitness equipment and gear, and their staff will ensure your workouts are efficient. Learn more here.

If you’d like to see your business featured, email info@vrf.us. You can also visit the Shop River Forest website for more information on local businesses worth checking out this holiday season.