Alley Reconstruction, Election Day, Community Supply Drive and More!

Friday, March 31, 2023

Dear River Forest residents,

Today is the last day to participate in our traffic survey! Please make sure to complete the survey before 5 p.m. We would love to have as much feedback as possible on any traffic-related issues you have observed in town for motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians. Your feedback is important to us, and it will give us the ability to make informed decisions on how to eliminate safety concerns and increase traffic flow in the Village. Please consider taking this 10-minute survey here.

On Monday, the asbestos abatement work will resume at the Village-owned properties on Madison Street. The asbestos work will be overseen by a state-licensed project manager and will take less than two weeks. Following a clean bill from the inspector, demolition will be able to continue. I am excited to have a clean site available to attract smart development to the long vacant location.

I would also like to remind residents of some important dates concerning property taxes. The first installment of property taxes will be due this Monday, April 3. Tax exemption applications for 2022 will open on Monday, April 10 here. Homeowner, Senior and Persons with Disabilities exemptions will auto renew. Additional exemptions you may be eligible for (other than the three previously listed) will not auto renew and you must reapply for them.

This week, I visited Washington, D.C. with the Illinois Municipal League to advocate for additional local funding and legislation to benefit villages like ours. During the visit, I had the opportunity to meet Senator Dick Durbin to discuss the extensive infrastructure needs in our state.

Lastly, next week is the Passover holiday and I'd like to wish everyone a happy Passover!

Sincerely,

Cathy Adduci, Village President

Village of River Forest

Alley Reconstruction

Alley reconstruction work begins this coming Monday, April 3 from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. in the alley located between the 100 block of Franklin and Park avenues.

Residents are reminded to remove their vehicles and their garbage bins from the alley prior to 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. This work is expected to last approximately six weeks.

Elections Tuesday,

April 4

For residents who plan on voting early and in-person for the consolidated election this Tuesday, April 4, early voting requests must be made by Monday, April 3. This year’s election will include candidates for the River Forest Village Board, District 90 School Board and the Oak Park and River Forest District 200 School Board. Ballots may be submitted before Election Day and can be found here.

Thrive's Spring Benefit

Save the date for Thrive Counseling Center’s annual Spring Benefit on Saturday, April 22 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Oak Park Country Club. This event will include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, gourmet food stations, and music! Join the Center in support of mental health and well-being! For more information, or to learn about how to sponsor this event, click here.

Illinois 5Essentials Survey

Please help Oak Park River Forest High School meet their quota by taking the Illinois 5Essentials Survey - which must be completed by today, March 31! Currently, 18% of students and parents have taken the survey. A minimum 20% response rate is needed for the high school to receive their school report. Parents, guardians and students can take the anonymous survey here.

Community Supply Drive

Triton College is currently hosting a Community Supply Drive now through Thursday, April 13. This drive is hosted by the Student Nurses Association to collect new baby items - including blankets, diapers, wipes, onesies and children’s clothing. The donations will be utilized by students attending Maryville Academy in Des Plaines. To learn more, click here.

Young Hearts for Life Heart Screenings

Student and adult volunteers are needed so Oak Park River Forest High School (OPRFHS), in partnership with Young Hearts for Life, can offer free heart screenings to all OPRFHS students on Tuesday, April 4. Students who wish to volunteer can email Ms. Elmiger. Parents or guardians who would like to help administer screenings can fill out the form found here.

Virtual Chat with Actor Danny Trejo

Illinois Libraries will be hosting a virtual chat with Hollywood actor Danny Trejo, who starred in Spy Kids, Desperado and other big screen hits, on Tuesday, April 4 from 7 - 8 p.m. Trejo will discuss his years of imprisonment, his time helping troubled teens battle drug addictions, his acting and producing, and his latest restaurant ventures. To learn more, click here.

Leave a Bike, Take a Bike on April 22

Participate in the 3rd Annual River Forest Bike Exchange on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Roosevelt Middle School playground! This event is organized by District 90 Green4Good, in partnership with the River Forest Sustainability Commission, and encourages residents to bring bikes they have outgrown and look for one that may suit their current needs! To learn more, click here.

River Forest Business Spotlight!

Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio is more than a neighborhood cooking school - it’s a place where kids can build confidence and skills as they navigate interesting and challenging cooking projects! Registration is open for Day Off Camp on Tuesday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Learn more 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.