Thursday, January 22, 2026 | | |
Dear River Forest residents,
I encourage all community members to attend one of the two open houses being held this week regarding the future of the Madison Street development project. Input is an important part of this process, and feedback can be shared online or in person at the open house this evening or the one on Saturday morning. Learn more in an article below.
The selected Madison Street developer, Five Thirty-One Partners, will be at the Village Board meeting on Monday, January 26, where the firm will be formally introduced and present an overview of their proposed project. Please note this presentation will mark the beginning of a thoughtful review process that will consider feedback from our community. No action will be taken by the Board at this meeting, it will only signify the beginning of the review process.
Lastly, congratulations to Oak Park-River Forest High School on earning a commendable rating on its State Report Card. Congratulations also to Lincoln and Willard elementary schools and Roosevelt Middle School, who were rated among the “Best Elementary and Middle Schools” in the State by U.S. News & World Report. These achievements reflect the dedication, hard work, and excellence of our students, educators, and school communities and why River Forest continues to be a highly desirable place to raise a family.
Sincerely,
| | |
Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
| | |
Madison Street Development Open Houses:
Tonight and This Saturday!
| | This week, the Village invites residents to attend one of two open houses to learn more about the proposed Madison Street development and share their feedback. Site maps, diagrams, architectural drawings, and other visuals will be available to review. Village officials and representatives from the developer, Five Thirty-One Partners, will be on site to answer questions. All feedback collected will be shared with the Village Board and Development Review Board. The first open house will be held this evening (Thursday) January 22, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Roosevelt Middle School (Door 8) and the second will be on Saturday, January 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the River Forest Civic Center (Room 202). Learn more here. | | Property Protection Upgrades | The Village provides different programs to help residents make essential property protection upgrades, and financial assistance may be available for projects including sewer backup prevention, sewer lateral repair, or lead service line replacement. These initiatives help to ensure safety, improve reliability, and protect the long-term value of your home. For more information, visit the Village website links above or call Public Works at 708-714-3551. | |  | The Village proudly congratulates Fire Marshal Kevin Wiley on his retirement. His distinguished career spanned 45 years in the fire service, including 11 years of dedicated service to the River Forest community. Since 2014, Kevin has been a trusted leader in fire prevention, safety inspections, and community education. The Village extends its sincere gratitude for Kevin’s dedicated service and wishes him well in his retirement. | | | Board and Commission Meeting Schedules | | |
The Village has published its full 2026 schedule for board, commission, and committee meetings. The online calendar makes it easy to see what’s coming up, review agendas in advance, and look back at past meeting minutes and recordings. Agendas are posted no later than two days before each meeting to help residents stay informed, and are typically held in the Community Room on the first floor of Village Hall, unless otherwise indicated. Monthly meeting times are listed below:
-
Village Board - Second and fourth Monday at 7 p.m.
-
Economic Development Commission - First Wednesday at 6 p.m.
-
Sustainability Commission - Second Tuesday at 7 p.m.
-
Development Review Board - First and third Thursday at 7 p.m. Please note: this is a change from prior years, when the Board met at 7:30 p.m.
-
Zoning Board of Appeals - Second Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
-
Historic Preservation Commission - Fourth Thursday at 7 p.m.
-
Traffic & Safety Commission - Third Wednesday of every other month (January, March, May, July, September and November) at 7 p.m.
Additional Village commissions meet as needed, such as the Plan Commission or the Ethics Commission. Agendas for these meetings will also be posted on the Agendas & Minutes calendar.
| | January is Radon Action Month, and the Cook County Department of Public Health encourages residents to test their homes for radon - a colorless, odorless gas that can cause lung cancer, with Radon being the leading cause in the U.S. of this disease. Testing is the only way to know if you are at risk. Suburban Cook County residents can request free, easy-to-use, at-home radon test kits. If elevated levels are detected, steps such as sealing foundation cracks or installing ventilation can reduce exposure. Request your free kit here. | | | With negative temperatures expected this coming weekend, homes are at greater risk for frozen and burst pipes - which can lead to flooding, damage, and costly repairs. Residents can help to prevent issues by keeping garage doors closed, opening cabinet doors beneath sinks to allow warm air to circulate (while keeping household chemicals out of children’s reach), and setting thermostats to at least 55°F when away or traveling. For more winter preparedness tips, click here. Residents in need of a warm place to stay can find local warming centers here. | | | Last Day to Compost Holiday Greens | | |
The final day for curbside collection of holiday greens - including live Christmas trees, wreaths, and garland - is this coming Tuesday, January 27. Greens must be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. for pick-up. Please remove lights, tinsel, ornaments, metal hangers, plastic, and stands before placing items at the curb, as these materials can hinder the composting process. This service is available to all residents who receive waste collection services from Lakeshore Recycling Systems. Business and multi-family residential properties should arrange disposal of holiday greens directly with their contracted waste hauler. Please Note: this collection is limited to holiday greens and does not include other yard waste. Learn more here.
| | River Forest Business Spotlight | | |
February is Children’s Dental Health Month, making it the perfect time to prioritize your family’s oral health! SunStar Dental offers expert care for children, as well as adults, in a friendly, family-focused environment. Make your appointment today by calling 708-771-8101 or visiting sunstardental.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.
| |
| |
What's Happening in River Forest?
to find out, today!
| | | |
Click the name below to visit the organization's website:
| | | | |
