Madison Street Feedback & FAQ, EV Charging Stations Open, Mail-In Ballot Update, and More!

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Dear River Forest residents,

Thank you to all who attended one of the Madison Street Development open houses, and to those who shared feedback. Resident input is a vital part of this process, and comments can still be made online here. There will be another opportunity for public feedback at a Neighbor Meeting on March 5 - so please save the date. Information about this meeting will be arriving in the US mail soon to all River Forest residences. Below is an article introducing a new web page where the Village is sharing public feedback that has been submitted.

Village offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 17. Refuse and recycling collection will remain on the regular schedule and will not be affected by the holiday.

Matt Walsh, our Village Administrator, and his wife welcomed their baby boy, Sean Mason, on Saturday, February 7. Congratulations to the Walsh family. Mom (and Dad) and baby are all doing well.

Lastly, I wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day this Saturday! If you’re still searching for the perfect last-minute gift, consider shopping local. You can view the River Forest Shopping Guide to support our local shops and restaurants.

Sincerely,

Cathy Adduci, Village President

Village of River Forest

Madison Street Feedback and FAQ

Thank you to all the residents who have participated in the discussion regarding the proposed development at 7620 Madison Street. Nearly 100 community members attended one of the three open house events, and 70 individuals submitted feedback or questions.

All submitted comments and questions, along with an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, are now available here. The FAQ has been updated to reflect common themes and questions raised by residents during the open houses.

Community input remains an essential part of the review process, and residents are encouraged to continue sharing feedback as the Village moves forward in the formal Planned Development Process. Additional project details and opportunities to provide input can be found here.

EV Charging

Stations Open

Thanks in part to grants and rebates from the Illinois EPA and ComEd, five Dual-Port Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are now open to the public at 400 Thatcher Avenue (West Metra Commuter Lot). The site can accommodate up to 10 vehicles at once, with charging available at $0.25 per kilowatt-hour. Please note there is an overstay fee of $10 per hour beginning 15 minutes after charging is complete. This investment delivers cleaner energy, added convenience, and another meaningful step toward a more sustainable River Forest.

Newly Named

Snow Plows

The Village is excited to share that our two new snowplows are officially displaying their contest-winning names: “The Big Leplowski” and “Buzz Iceclear!” Thank you to all who submitted name ideas for the community vote; your creativity made it both fun and memorable. Keep an eye out for the two new plows on Village streets as they help to keep River Forest safe and moving through the rest of winter.

Notice on Mail-In Ballots

With the March 17 Illinois Gubernatorial Primary Election approaching, the Cook County Clerk’s Office wants to alert voters to a change in the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) postmark procedures that could affect when mail-in ballots are officially counted. Postmarks will now reflect the date a ballot is processed by USPS, rather than the date it is received - which could result in a delay of several days.

Voters who choose to vote by mail are advised to hand their ballot to a USPS retail clerk and request a postmark, or to use a secure ballot drop box that will be available starting Monday, March 2. Additional details and drop box locations can be found here.

Shop/Dine Local this Valentine's Day

Searching for the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? River Forest businesses offer something for everyone! Enjoy a romantic meal, indulge in sweet treats, or purchase a thoughtful gift from one of the many locally owned shops. Celebrate close to home this Valentine’s Day - and support the businesses that make our community vibrant. You can view the business directory here.

Library's New Community Room

Last weekend marked the official opening of the new River Forest Public Library Community Room, a versatile space designed for programs, meetings, and small community gatherings. The community room also has an ADA-compliant restroom and upgraded staff work areas. Thanks to generous support from the River Forest Public Library Foundation, a $100,000 patron bequest, and an Illinois State Library grant, this exciting addition is now a reality. Learn more here.

Bird City

River Forest is taking important steps to strengthen its reputation as a bird-friendly community. The Village plans to apply for “Bird City” designation through the Audubon Council of Illinois recognizing municipalities committed to protecting bird populations.

To qualify, communities must demonstrate strong conservation practices, public education, and resident involvement. River Forest hopes to join fellow Illinois Bird Cities like Evanston, Galena, and Normal. Residents can help in simple but meaningful ways: reduce exterior lighting during migration seasons (March–June and mid-August–November), limit pesticide use, and plant native species.

Watch Village communications for updates on World Migratory Bird Day events beginning in May and continuing through the summer.

River Forest Business Spotlight

4U Hair & Spa offers a full range of professional services designed to help you look and feel your best! Their trained medical estheticians provide rejuvenating body treatments, while skilled specialists offer restorative and anti-aging injectable cosmetic treatments - as well as surgical and reconstructive procedures. Every visit is tailored to your unique needs, to ensure a personalized experience from start to finish. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 708‑689‑0195.

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.