Thursday, February 20, 2025 | |
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Dear River Forest residents,
I am very pleased to report that last week, a Judge ruled in favor of the Village and dismissed a lawsuit from Lake Lathrop Partners LLC. that requested it be granted a new building permit for the Lake & Lathrop property. This decision reaffirms that the Village Board took the appropriate steps, through various extensions, to hold this developer accountable for its lack of progress without interfering, and paves the way for Wintrust Bank to ultimately work with a new developer to plan for this important commercial property. You can read more in the article below.
I invite any resident who has thoughts or questions about how the Village operates, or plans for the future related to new service offerings, amenities, or future development opportunities, to attend the “Casual Conversation with the Village President” this Saturday, February 22 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Willard Elementary School. I will be there ready to listen and share what the Village is currently working on, related to these topics and others.
Another opportunity to learn more and be engaged with what’s happening at the Village is the annual State of the Village address during the Village Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, February 24 at 7 p.m. This is a more formal presentation where I will give an overview of our accomplishments in 2024 and what the Village has planned for the new year.
We remain committed to connecting with our community through various engagement opportunities, such as the quarterly Casual Conversation event, the State of the Village address, and newly featured videos highlighting key Village initiatives.
Sincerely,
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Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
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On February 14, a Cook County judge granted the Village's “Motion to Dismiss” a lawsuit from Lake Lathrop Partners LLC. The lawsuit claimed the Village interfered with the developer’s ability to complete the project at the Lake & Lathrop property, and also demanded a new building permit be issued to them. This legal decision supports the Village’s actions related to this project, and enables the focus moving forward to be on motivating the property owner, Wintrust Bank, to resolve its foreclosure case with the developer. Once this happens, a new developer can be sought to find the best and highest use for this important commercial property.
A brief look back: Over the course of the project, and after the developer secured a $20 million line of credit from Wintrust Bank, the Village fulfilled its obligations under the development agreement by committing funds for environmental cleanup, which the developer completed. The Village granted the developer an extension and issued a building permit for the second phase of the project. Following the permit's expiration, the Village allowed the developer to exercise its legal rights without interference, hoping that progress would continue. However, when the developer failed to meet the agreed-upon benchmarks for the extension, the Village issued a stop work order on the property. To learn more, you can view a timeline of information here.
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Congratulations to Dylan Zhang! | At just 11 years old, Dylan Zhang, a Roosevelt Middle School student, won the 2025 Arthur D. Montzka Young Artists Concerto Competition with his performance of Beethoven’s Concerto No. 1 in C Major. He will perform as a soloist with the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra this Saturday at NIU. Dylan credits his family’s support and teacher Sueanne Metz for his success. To learn more, click here. | |  |
The first installment tax bills for the 2024 Tax Year are due Tuesday, March 4. This installment is an estimate, and represents 55% of last year’s total tax. Please note that exemptions are only listed on the second installment. You can view and pay your bill online through the Cook County Treasurer’s website or download a PDF to pay in person, at any Chase Bank location. | | |
Registration Opening Soon for Garden Plots | |
The River Forest Park District and the Village are offering residents the opportunity to rent 4' x 10' garden plots. Registration for a single garden plot will open Monday, February 24 and will only be accepted in person at The Depot. Please note there is no online registration. Registration hours are Monday through 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. State issued identification and a copy of a water bill for proof of residency are required. Garden plots are not transferable and will be assigned on Monday, March 24. Previous year participants will have the opportunity to garden in the same plot(s) as they did last year. Learn more here. | |
Last week, Village Board Trustee Lisa Gillis visited Lincoln Elementary School to speak with the Eco-Kids Club, led by third-grade teacher Mrs. Jane McCole. She shared practical tips on reducing, reusing, and recycling, along with Village resources that support sustainability. Trustee Gillis also provided a quick guide on Recycling 101 for the students. Dedicated to community engagement and education, Trustee Gillis expressed her gratitude to Mrs. McCole, the staff, and the students for the opportunity to collaborate and have this important conversation about caring for our planet! | | |
Join Oak Park’s Multicultural Fest! Hosted by the Park District of Oak Park, Oak Park Public Library, District 97, and District 200, this event will celebrate the diverse cultures that shape our community on Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Scoville Park. Cultural organizations are invited to host tables, lead activities, or perform on stage! Fill out the interest form here, which is due by Friday, February 28, and a representative from Oak Park River Forest High School will follow up with more details. | | |
Clothing and textiles don’t belong in your recycling cart. Instead, consider donating to local charities or scheduling a free pickup with a textile recycler like Simple Recycling. The average person throws away 68 pounds of clothing per year, contributing to about 10% of municipal waste. Simple Recycling aims to divert textiles and small household items from landfills, where more than 84% of old textiles typically end up, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Visit their website for a full list of accepted items, including clothing, shoes, bedding, jackets, linens, tools, and toys. | |
River Forest Business Spotlight! | |
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Balloons by Lily is a kid-run business founded by 11-year-old Lily, dedicated to creating fun, festive balloon designs. With a mission to inspire the next generation of women entrepreneurs, Lily is also using her business to earn some summer spending money! Show Lily your support and 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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