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Dear River Forest residents,
As part of the Village’s ongoing efforts to enhance public spaces and strengthen community connections, a new pocket park, called Heritage Square, will be completed this summer. This project aims to create a new gathering space in our Village and more information on the project can be found below.
Thank you to everyone who attended Saturday’s quarterly “Casual Conversation with the Village President.” Traffic and overall community safety were key topics of discussion. You can find additional information in an article below. These informal meetings are held quarterly, with the next one scheduled for September. More details will be provided closer to the date.
I had the great pleasure to welcome Willard Elementary student Silas Ierardi to Village Hall as he became “Village President for a Day.” This yearly program, donated to Willard School PTO fundraising efforts, enables a young person to spend a day learning about local government, while working with myself and our Village staff members. My greatest takeaway is that our future is bright with young leaders like Silas! Learn more about his experience in an article below.
Finally, I would like to remind residents that Village Hall will be closed tomorrow, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
Sincerely,
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Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
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Work is moving forward at the Heritage Square pocket park, located at the corner of Lake and Park. The Public Works Department has made steady progress since breaking ground earlier this month. The initial phase of construction is now complete and included removal of the existing asphalt, site grading, installation of new concrete walkways and bench pads - and the addition of a new water service line to prepare for the installation of a drinking fountain.
In the coming weeks, crews will focus on adding topsoil, installing new landscaping, benches, and waste receptacles - and completing final restoration work. Once finished, Heritage Square will provide an enhanced, welcoming public park for residents to gather and enjoy. Additional updates will be shared as the project moves forward.
| | "Casual Conversation" Recap | |
The most recent "Casual Conversation with the Village President" event took place last Saturday, at the Park District’s Keystone Center, and the discussion centered on community safety. Public Works Director Jack Bielak addressed questions about the effectiveness of traffic delineators on Washington Boulevard and their effectiveness on Lake Street. Residents also shared thoughtful feedback on the growing challenges related to e-bikes and e-scooters on Village roadways and sidewalks, which focused on rider and motorist safety. To learn more about safety related to these modes of transportation used by our residents, click here.
We encourage residents to attend the next court hearing on July 9 for the Lake and Lathrop property development case. Please call Village Hall if you are interested in getting transportation to the Daley Center to attend this important court hearing. While residents will not be able to address the court, the presence of community members will send a message to the court that we want the foreclosure case settled as soon as possible.
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E-Scooter & Bike Safety (click image to enlarge)
| As the use of e-bikes and e-scooters continues to grow in River Forest and neighboring communities, promoting safe and responsible riding remains a top priority. In response to community safety concerns, the Police Department is actively enforcing applicable State and local laws governing e-bikes and e-scooters, while the Village continues to have resources available for safe riding practices. All riders of e-bikes, e-scooters, and traditional bicycles are strongly encouraged to wear a helmet to reduce the risk of serious injury. Illinois law requires helmets for riders under the age of 16. Cyclists are also reminded to follow all traffic laws, including obeying traffic signals and signs. | | | "Village President for a Day" | | |
Village Hall welcomed a special guest this week as incoming Willard Elementary fourth grader Silas Ierardi stepped into the role of “Village President for the Day.” Known for his campaign slogan, “Ice cream for all,” President Ierardi began his day by being sworn into office by Village Clerk Rosa Castellano. He then joined Village staff and Village President Cathy Adduci for a department-level meeting to learn more about local government operations.
Throughout the day, Silas helped to draft a mock Village ordinance addressing e-bike and e-scooter safety, and noted, “Helmets are important to keep riders safe.” The visit also included behind-the-scenes tours of the Fire, Police and Public Works departments - which included a ride in the Village’s street sweeper. The day ended on a sweet note as Silas joined Village staff for ice cream, as he reflected on his experiences as Village President for the Day.
The Village thanks Silas for his enthusiasm, curiosity, and leadership!
| | Congratulations Graduates! | | Holguin Earns Accounting Degree | Congratulations to Administrative Clerk Adriana Holguin on earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Concordia University Chicago. Adriana completed her degree while balancing her professional responsibilities at the Village with her academic pursuits, demonstrating a strong commitment to her professional growth. She also took advantage of Concordia University Chicago’s Local Business Advantage Program, which offers reduced tuition rates for employees of local businesses and organizations. Learn more about the discount tuition program here. Congratulations to Adriana on this achievement! | | | Koeller Earns HR Management Degree | Congratulations to Accounting Clerk Megan Koeller on earning her Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. This program included coursework in human resources strategy, analytics, employment law, compensation, management - and a capstone project designed to strengthen Megan’s leadership and organizational skills. Her dedication to advancing her education reflects a commitment to professional excellence and enhances the quality of service she provides to River Forest residents. Congratulations to Megan on this accomplishment! | | | |
National Pollinator Week is June 22 through June 28, and a time to recognize the essential role pollinators play in our environment. Protecting species such as the monarch butterfly depends on a quality habitat, science-based policies, and active community engagement. This year, the Village has taken the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, joining hundreds of communities across the U.S. that are committed to protecting the monarch butterfly and supporting pollinator-friendly environments. Residents can learn more and access resources to create a pollinator garden by clicking here.
| | River Forest Business Spotlight | | |
Top Dog Petcare Service has proudly served River Forest families for more than a decade, providing trusted dog walking and pet sitting services as a locally owned small business. In addition to caring for local pets, the business is also committed to giving back to the broader community, and donates a portion of its proceeds to the Animal Care League in Oak Park. Residents interested in learning more or booking services can contact jayne.gould@comcast.net.
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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