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Dear River Forest residents,
Thank you to everyone who joined us Wednesday afternoon at the River Forest Public Library for our fifth annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony. It was wonderful to come together as a community to recognize and celebrate this important day. Special thanks to Illinois Speaker of the House Chris Welch, Cook County Commissioner Maggie Trevor, and State Representative Camille Lilly for taking time from their busy schedules to participate in the event. I would also like to thank Village Trustee Brennan and Trustee Keskitalo, as well as the dedicated Juneteenth volunteers and Village staff whose hard work helped make the ceremony a success.
With summer now officially under way, more residents - including children and families - are spending time outdoors enjoying our parks and neighborhoods. As traffic and outdoor activity increase, I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and courteous. Drivers should be especially mindful of pedestrians and bicyclists. Cyclists are reminded to wear a helmet and follow all traffic safety guidelines.
Finally, I will be traveling to Denver this weekend with members of Village staff to present River Forest’s application for the All-America City Award. We are honored to represent our community on the national stage and look forward to sharing the many accomplishments that make River Forest such a special place to live, work, and raise a family.
Sincerely,
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Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
| | Madison Street Announcement | | |
The proposed Madison Street development has officially entered the Village’s public review process. Residents can review the application and supporting materials by clicking here. As part of the review, the Development Review Board will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, July 9, at 7 p.m. in the Trinity High School Gymnasium (Door 8). Community members are encouraged to attend, learn more about the proposal, and share their feedback. A map of the meeting location is available here.
Residents who are unable to attend may submit comments online at vrf.us/Madison. All comments received will be provided to the Development Review Board for consideration.
| | Residents are encouraged to attend the next court hearing regarding the Lake and Lathrop property development foreclosure case on July 9 at 10:30 a.m. While members of the public will not have an opportunity to address the court, a strong community presence can demonstrate the importance of resolving this long-standing matter. Transportation to the Daley Center may be available for interested residents. Please contact Village Hall for additional information and to reserve a seat. | |  | The Village extends its sincere thanks to everyone who attended Wednesday’s Juneteenth celebration. The event brought our community together to raise the Juneteenth flag, reflect on the significance of this important day in history, enjoy a variety of food and vendor offerings, and conclude the evening with a lively performance by The Jackson Wolff Band. We are grateful for all who participated and helped make the event a meaningful opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and connection. | | |
River Forest Team Member Spotlight:
Public Works Administrative Intern William Richie
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Do you collect anything?
Model trains, baseball cards, olive oils, pens, vinyl, and cassettes
What position do you hold and in what circumstances would I come to you for something?
I am the Public Works Administrative Intern. I'm here to help with questions and concerns related to Public Works projects and services.
If you could add one thing to the Village’s office, what would it be?
A Komatsu WA500-8 loader. It could help with leaf collection.
| | Support the Police Department Torch Run | |
The Police Department is proud to once again participate in the Illinois Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run alongside neighboring agencies in a powerful show of community support and inclusion. The annual Torch Run will take place this Sunday, June 28, beginning at the Broadview Police Department. Participants will meet at 8:30 a.m., with the run starting at 9 a.m. Officers and family runners from River Forest, Broadview, Bellwood, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, Riverside, and Westchester will carry the Flame of Hope through Bellwood and Broadview in support of Special Olympics athletes throughout Illinois.
Community members are encouraged to support our Police Department and the mission of Special Olympics Illinois by making a donation here.
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The Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across Illinois in a State-wide traffic enforcement campaign focused on identifying and stopping impaired and unbuckled drivers. Running now through July 6, the campaign includes the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over," "Drive High & Get a DUI," and "Click It or Ticket" enforcement efforts, funded through federal traffic safety grants administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead before celebrating and designate a sober driver, utilize rideshare services or public transportation when needed, and ensure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seat belt. Community members are also urged to report suspected impaired drivers by safely pulling over and calling 911.
| | | Join the Garden Walk (click image to enlarge) | | |
Explore some of the area’s most beautiful private gardens during the 32nd annual Garden Walk on Sunday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Presented by the Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest and Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory, this self-guided tour begins at either the Cheney Mansion or the Oak Park Conservatory, where attendees can pick up their Garden Guide for admission into the featured gardens. Click here for additional details and ticket information.
| | Download the Recycling Coach App | | |
Looking to reduce household waste and recycle with confidence? The Village encourages residents to take advantage of the Recycle Coach app, a free tool available on desktop computers and mobile devices that makes recycling easier than ever.
Recycle Coach features a comprehensive "What Goes Where?" search tool that provides local recycling and disposal information for both common and hard-to-recycle items. Residents can also test their knowledge with weekly "We Wanted to Know" quizzes, discover helpful recycling tips, and use the app's geolocation-enabled reporting tool to notify customer service of missed collections and other issues.
By helping residents make informed disposal decisions, Recycle Coach supports higher recycling rates, reduces contamination in the recycling stream, and contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable community. Best of all, it's completely free. Access Recycle Coach through the Village website here.
| | River Forest Business Spotlight | | |
Gabriel and Daniel is a River Forest-based online business founded by two physician parents inspired by the positive impact healthy eating had on their family, including their two sons on the autism spectrum, for whom the company is named. The company produces all-natural, organic cereals made with carefully selected ingredients that support healthier lifestyles without sacrificing taste. Gabriel and Daniel cereals are available online and through major retailers, including Amazon, Target, and Walmart. To learn more, 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?
to find out, today!
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Click the name below to visit the organization's website:
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