Thursday, September 12, 2024 | |
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Dear River Forest residents,
Earlier this week, our country commemorated the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the thousands of lives lost, and the heroic actions of first responders and everyday citizens in the aftermath of this tragedy. Let us not ever forget.
Congratulations to Best Version Media as they celebrate their first anniversary of publishing “Oak Park & River Forest Living!” See an article below on how this publication aims to cast a spotlight on our local community, and the people, places, and events that make our area so special!
At Monday's Village Board meeting, the Board approved an agreement with the villages of Oak Park and Forest Park to complete the Harlem Avenue Viaduct Phase I Study. The study will be funded by a $250,000 grant from the State of Illinois, and will enable the villages to seek out future construction grants. The goal of the study is to improve the traffic flow and pedestrian experience for those traveling under the train tracks on Harlem Avenue.
The Village also signed a resolution applying for state funding for traffic safety improvements on Washington Boulevard. Washington Boulevard was identified in the Village Wide Traffic Study as a corridor with excessive speeding. The conceptual improvement plans include curb extensions, a dedicated bike path and raised crosswalks - all intended to increase safety for cyclists and pedestrians. The plans are in the early stages and we will share additional information in future newsletters.
Lastly, the Village is looking for community feedback on the following items:
Be sure to visit the Village’s new Service Request Platform to reach out about various needs related to Village services. If you have a request, this platform is simple to use and helps issues to be resolved more quickly.
Sincerely,
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Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
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Thank you to all who participated in the first neighborhood dialogue last night! The conversation was friendly and productive and covered topics such as economic development, and retail and housing needs, in addition to community preferences about traffic, parking, and landscaping. The Village looks forward to continuing these neighborhood conversations and hearing from more residents about important issues and topics. Watch for future invitations to join these discussions, which will come from members of our community.
If you would like to learn more or are interested in hosting, please contact Village Administrator Matt Walsh. Reports from the meetings will be compiled and made available on the Village website after a few more meetings are held.
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Des Plaines River Trail Community Meeting | The Village is hosting a Community Meeting to discuss a potential on-street extension of the Des Plaines River Trail along Thatcher Avenue, from North Avenue to Madison Street on Tuesday, October 1 from 6-8 p.m. in the Village Hall Community Room and all are invited. Attendees can view exhibits, share feedback, and speak directly with Village staff and project team members. For more information, email Melissa McGhee. | |  |
Cyber Safety Presentation | In today's ever-changing digital world, protecting our children online is more crucial than ever. Join the Police Department for a "Cyber Safety for Parents/Guardians" presentation on Tuesday, September 24, at 6 p.m. in the Village Hall Community Room or via Zoom. Crime Prevention Officer Megan Drake will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help parents navigate the digital landscape, safeguard your family from online threats, and create a safer online environment for your children. For more information, click here. | | |
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Fall leaf cleanup begins next week! Simply rake your leaves into the street and Village crews will collect them. Leaves should be piled near, but slightly away from the curb, to ensure there is proper drainage in case of rain.
A map of the collection schedule can be found on the Village website here. Please note, this program allows for the pick‐up of leaves only. Grass clippings, brush and any other type of material should be disposed of by following the Village’s refuse and yard waste procedures. If you’d like to participate in the Village’s Curbside Composting Program, learn more here.
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National Preparedness Month | |
(Click photo to enlarge.)
September is National Preparedness Month, to serve as an important reminder to plan for the unexpected. Ensure your family is ready for natural disasters and emergencies by preparing a survival kit that can sustain you for several days. Include non-perishable food and water, emergency supplies, a home escape plan, a designated meeting place in case of separation, and don’t forget essentials for your pet. For more information, click here.
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Fire Department
Open House
| The Fire Department will be hosting an Open House this Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Fire Station. This event is free and open to the public, where children and families will be able to explore a fire truck and the Village’s new ambulance, take a fire apparatus and fire station tour, register bikes, obtain child ID kits, and more! For additional information, call 708-366-7629. | | |
League of Women Voters Gala | |
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Congratulations to the League of Women Voters of Oak Park & River Forest on their 100th anniversary. They will be hosting a Centennial Gala on Sunday, October 20 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Nineteenth Century Club. To learn more or purchase tickets, click here.
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Check Out Oak Park & River Forest Living | This local-focused magazine launched by Best Version Media a year ago aims to provide uplifting local content, community events and more for residents of Oak Park and River Forest. The publisher's goal is to provide compelling stories and informative articles from around town to unite the community. You can learn more about this publication here and view their video here. | | |
The River Forest Public Library is excited to welcome bestselling local author David Ellis to celebrate the release of his new book, “The Best Lies.” Ellis is a judge and an Edgar Award-winning author of ten crime fiction novels and eight bestselling books co-authored with James Patterson. He will be at the Library on Sunday, September 22 from 2-3:30 p.m. Click here to learn more. | | |
Rechargeable Batteries and Disposal | |
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Consider using rechargeable batteries instead of single-use for your household devices. While these batteries cost more upfront, they save you money and help the environment in the long run. For around $20, you can buy a charger for AA, AAA, C, and D batteries.
Also, be sure to fully discharge used batteries before recycling them. Single-use alkaline batteries can be recycled at Village Hall, but rechargeable batteries cannot. You can drop off rechargeable batteries at Call2Recycle locations like Home Depot and Lowe’s. For additional drop-off points, click here.
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River Forest Business Spotlight! | |
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New Rose Catering is your local, full-service caterer for any occasion - weddings, birthdays, retirements, baby showers, fundraisers, and more. They also offer weekly dinner delivery with a rotating menu of three entrées and two soups, including vegetarian options and the menu changes seasonally. For more information, call 708-261-6908 or click 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.
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What's Happening in River Forest?
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