Friday, November 15, 2024

Dear River Forest residents,

A top priority for the Village is to keep our community informed and engaged through a variety of communication channels, all of which are regularly updated to reach our growing subscriber base. These include:

• The Village website
• Weekly e-newsletters (sent out on Thursdays) and the monthly Newsletter (sent out the first Friday of each month). More than 60 residents have subscribed just this week!
• Social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor

The Village also hosts Quarterly Community Safety Meetings to share crime statistics, update the community on police training and safety initiatives, and preview community events. New this year, we've introduced Neighborhood Dialogues, and the quarterly “Casual Conversation with the Village President” - both of which give residents a chance to ask questions, share feedback, and connect with the Village. The next “Casual Conversation” will take place Saturday, November 23 from 9-10:30 a.m. at the River Forest Public Library. I do hope to see you there! 

The Village continues to work towards a resolution for the Lake & Lathrop development area. Wintrust Bank continues to be responsible for all the costs associated with the foreclosure, including maintenance of the site. Please read the article below for the latest information pertaining to this important commercial property and what steps the Village is taking to get Wintrust Bank to address the needs of our community.

Thank you to the 467 residents who have completed the State-mandated Lead Service Survey. This number represents 27% of our households, and we are seeking responses from all residences to ensure our water delivery system is safe, and that it complies with the Lead Service Line Replacement Act standards. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey here.

Sincerely,

Lake & Lathrop Update

The Village has taken steps to force the demolition and restoration of the Lake & Lathrop property. In addition, the Village also filed a complaint for demolition in Cook County Circuit Court. The complaint states that all of the current structures (including the parking structure, elevator shafts, and foundation) on the property are a nuisance to the community and must be taken down immediately. If the parties/owners (Wintrust Bank and Lake Lathrop Partners) do not respond or comply, the Village will pursue demolition itself, to be paid for by these two entities.. The Village’s priority is attracting a viable, vibrant, and attractive redevelopment of the site. The Village Board of Trustees will continue to retain all authority over the approval of any development plans related to this property.

As the Village pursues the demolition order, it continues to defend itself against a lawsuit filed by Lake Lathrop Partners seeking a new building permit for the project.

Happy Birthday to Eugene Baltes

Happy 110th birthday to River Forest resident Eugene Baltes, who celebrated this milestone on October 29! Gene is a U.S. Navy World War II veteran. Gene lives with his wife and sister-in-law, and receives support from the Veterans Administration. He is also the oldest known living man in the United States! Gene celebrated his birthday surrounded by 150 friends and family members at Drury Lane in Oak Brook recently - and by all accounts it was quite an elaborate affair!

Fall Leaf Collection

With Fall Leaf Collection underway, Public Works crews are out every weekday clearing leaves from the streets. To help ensure smooth operations, the Village wants to remind residents and lawn care companies not to mix grass clippings, brush, pumpkins, or any other type of yard waste with leaves. Please note that lawn care companies should not be dumping leaves or yard waste from other communities onto River Forest streets. If this activity is observed, please call Village Hall at 708-366-8500. To learn more about the Village’s fall leaf collection or view the collection schedule, click here.

Sign Up for Curbside Composting

As seasonal yard waste collection wraps up, consider signing up for the Village’s Curbside Composting Program! This convenient service picks up yard waste and food scraps every other week throughout the winter months, diverting organic waste from landfills. This reduces methane emissions, and helps to turn this waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer. With a new cart-sharing option, two neighbors can split the cost for as low as $6.70 per month, making it easy and affordable to compost sustainably. Learn more and sign up here!

Dr. Robert Jusino's Back & Neck Pain Clinic is dedicated to helping you achieve your health goals through expert chiropractic care! Specializing in spinal adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, and therapeutic rehabilitation, Dr. Jusino and his team use an evidence-based approach for effective pain relief and wellness. The clinic is ready to support your journey to feeling your best. Schedule an appointment today by visiting chiroconsults.com.



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.

Village of River Forest

400 Park Avenue

River Forest, Illinois 60305

708-366-8500

vrf.us