Thursday, January 11, 2024 | |
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Dear River Forest residents,
There have been many recent news stories about migrants who are seeking asylum in our area, which has caused some real challenges. The Village wants to provide help toward this humanitarian issue and is working with Chicago officials and leaders from our neighboring towns to ensure these individuals have a safe place to stay through organizations offering assistance with ready resources and supplies. I spoke to Mayor Johnson and he asked that we pass a similar ordinance as Chicago so that our efforts are coordinated and helpful to the asylum seekers. If you are interested in donating to help this cause, the Community of Congregations has taken a lead role in this effort. Visit this link if you’d like to help.
Monday, January 15, 2024, is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which commemorates his life and legacy to help ensure his dream of diversity, equity and inclusion lives on. In observance of this holiday, Village Hall will be closed and will reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday, January 16. To commemorate this day, the Forest Preserves of Cook County is hosting their annual Martin Luther King Service Day Celebration on Saturday, January 13 from 10 a.m. to noon. More information on this event can be found here.
Lastly, the new ordinance banning polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) at businesses that serve food is now in effect. The ordinance was created in response to the new State law that bans the purchase and distribution of polystyrene foodware. More information on this ordinance can also be found in an article below.
Sincerely,
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Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
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Snow is in the forecast this weekend, along with high winds and colder temperatures! For more information on what to expect, click here.
Residents are reminded that parking is not permitted on any Village streets after two inches of snow or more has accumulated. Also, please avoid parking on Village streets for up to eight hours after the snowfall ends to provide space for snow plows to clear streets and emergency vehicles to safely reach their destination. This helps Public Works and the Police and/or Fire departments to do their jobs safely and efficiently. Please note: the Village will not grant overnight parking passes during these periods.
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The new ordinance banning polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) at businesses that serve food is now in effect. The ordinance includes language that ensures any initial violations in the first four months of 2024 will result in education instead of a citation. Polystyrene is difficult to recycle, slow to degrade, and contains the chemical styrene, which is believed to be a “possible carcinogen” by the World Health Organization. Smaller food establishments ($500k or less in annual revenue) will have until January 1, 2025 to comply. For more information please click here. | |  |
Resource Guide for Mental Health | River Forest Township’s new Resource Guide for Mental Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services was mailed to all households and businesses in December. This Guide contains a listing of service providers, help lines, and support groups for residents to find the community resources, services, and programs they need to address behavioral health challenges, substance abuse issues, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. To receive an additional copy, send an email or call 708-366-2029 ext. 11. Download the Guide from the Township website found here. | | |
Register for Community Garden Plots | |
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The River Forest Park District and the Village are offering residents the opportunity to rent 4' x 10' garden plots for a vegetable garden. Registration for a single garden plot will open Monday, February 26 and will only be accepted at The Depot - there is no online registration. Registration hours are Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Participants are required to complete a registration form, sign a waiver, and make the full payment before a garden plot will be assigned. An ID and a copy of a water bill for proof of residency is required. Garden plots are not transferable and will be assigned on Monday, March 25. Previous year participants will have the opportunity to garden in the same plot(s). Learn more here.
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National Day of
Racial Healing
| Tuesday, January 16, 2024 marks the 8th Annual National Day of Racial Healing to bring people together and inspire collective action around racial justice. Dominican University will be hosting a presentation to commemorate this day, featuring Dr. Tameka Ellington, author of TEXTURES: The History and Art of Black Hair and Black Hair in a White World. The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Martin Recital Hall. To learn more, click here. | | |
Annual Speed Networking Event | Tickets for the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Speed Networking event are now available! Join more than 100 local business entrepreneurs at Concordia University on Wednesday, February 7 from 5-7 p.m. for a fast paced networking event where attendees can talk about their business, and make connections in real time. This event only comes around once a year, so get your tickets here before they are gone! | | |
Barbie: The History of America's Famous Doll | |
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For more than sixty years, Barbie dolls have been played with, analyzed, collected, criticized, and loved. Join the River Forest Public Library on Sunday, January 21 at 2 p.m. for an illustrated lecture with historian Leslie Goddard, who will delve into the history of Barbie. Learn what inspired Mattel to develop Barbie in 1959, how this helped make Mattel one of the world’s most successful toy companies, and the impact it has had on American culture. To learn more or to register, click here.
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Performance of Peter Pan Jr. | |
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A Peter Pan Jr. class is coming to the River Forest Community Center in February. Children will experience the thrill of singing, dancing, and acting with their peers, while learning the basics of vocal technique, choreography, and acting from experienced instructors. The 12-week class will end with a musical performance on the Community Center’s stage. The class begins on Tuesday, February 13 at 4 p.m. for kindergarteners and first graders, and at 5 p.m. for grades 2-7. For questions or to register, call 708-771-6159 ext. 200 or send them an email.
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Residents have until this coming Monday, January 15 to drop off holiday lights for recycling in a receptacle located behind Village Hall under the train overpass. This service is courtesy of Elgin Recycling Inc. and provides an easy way to responsibly dispose of old and unusable holiday lights. For a list of accepted and unaccepted items, click here.
Elgin Recycling takes the lights and cords, while the strands are separated, baled and sent to be chopped or shredded and then sold as a commodity to foundries and mills across the country.
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Some residents may have received mailers from retail energy providers, including Clean Choice Energy, requesting they enroll in their programs. Please be aware these programs are not endorsed by the Village, and that energy retailers often charge higher electricity rates than the standard ComEd rate. The only Village-endorsed programs are the Electric Aggregation Program and Community Solar Program, which are administered by MC Squared Energy. Please also note that representatives from the Village, MC Squared Energy or ComEd will not ever solicit door-to-door. If you have questions, please click here. | | |
River Forest Business Spotlight! | |
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Bern Realty LLC. is a family-run real estate development company located in River Forest. They have more than 60 years of experience in property management, tenant representation, and assisting individuals in buying, selling, and leasing property. For a free consultation, call 708-771-7600.
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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