North Avenue Streetscape Open House | Senior Breakfast | Junior Citizens Police Academy

River Forest Village Board of Trustees

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Dear River Forest residents,

In recognition of Older Americans Month and Senior Week (May 7–14), our Police and Fire Departments have partnered to host a Senior Breakfast on Tuesday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. at Sunrise of River Forest. Please find additional details in an article below.

There have been scams reported to the police recently involving people who are posing as contractors. Please remember to remain vigilant and before hiring anyone, and review the Village’s list of approved and licensed contractors to protect yourself from fraud and to ensure quality work.

This week is Professional Municipal Clerks Week. I would like to thank Village Clerk Rosa Castellano and Deputy Clerk Luke Masella for their continued dedication and the important roles they play in supporting our community.

Lastly, happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in our community! If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a meal or to purchase a gift, consider our local businesses, which can be found here.

Sincerely,

Cathy Adduci, Village President

Village of River Forest

RSVP for the Senior Breakfast

As part of Senior Week, the Fire and Police Departments are partnering with assisted living facility, Sunrise of River Forest, to host their annual Senior Breakfast on Tuesday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. This community outreach event includes a pancake breakfast served by first responders, along with educational presentations on how to recognize stroke symptoms and prevent fraud and scams. Special guest Elevate Physical Therapy and Fitness will also share wellness tips for our older adults. To reserve your spot, please call 708-714-3561.

Free Services from Area Towing

One of the Village’s Towing partners, Area Towing, is a locally owned and operated emergency towing service provider that offers free towing and battery jumpstarts to senior and veteran residents. They also offer locksmith services and tire changes. Call Area at 708-345-4665 if you need help!

North Avenue Open House May 13

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The Village, in collaboration with the Village of Elmwood Park, invites residents to attend an Open House for the proposed North Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project from Thatcher to Harlem avenues. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Kyte Hall at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church. This is an opportunity to learn more about the project timeline, review current conditions along the corridor, and share input on proposed improvements. Learn more here.

New Leaf Blower Ordinance May 15

Beginning Friday, May 15, the Village’s leaf blower ordinance will take effect. The ordinance establishes a phased approach to reducing emissions by prohibiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers from May 15 through September 15 each year, along with fossil-fuel powered generators used to operate/charge them during that period. This marks the first year of a multi-year transition toward a full, year-round ban by 2030. Residents can learn more here and review the timeline here.

Registration Open for Junior Citizens Police Academy

Applications are now being accepted for the Junior Citizen’s Police Academy! This free, week-long program for youth ages 10–15 provides a hands-on introduction to law enforcement, featuring activities like crime scene investigations, K-9 demonstrations, and interactive problem-solving scenarios. The academy will be held July 13–17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the River Forest Police Department.

The program is open to River Forest and Oak Park residents only, and applications must be picked up and submitted in person to the police department in the applicant’s community. River Forest residents can contact Officer Megan Drake for more information, while Oak Park residents should reach out to the Oak Park Police Department at elocke@oak-park.us or rmurphy@oak-park.us. Space is limited, and priority will be given to first-time participants.

Join in the

"Casual Conversation"

Join Village President Cathy Adduci and Village staff for a “Casual Conversation with the Village President” on Saturday, June 13, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Keystone Center. This relaxed, open-house style event gives residents the chance to connect with Village leadership, ask questions, share feedback, and learn more about current projects and initiatives. Mark your calendar - we hope to see you there!

Participate in Memorial Day Ceremony

Celebrate Memorial Day in River Forest at the 101st annual Memorial Day Commemoration on Monday, May 25. The parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. from Iowa Street and Ashland Avenue and concludes at Keystone Park, followed by the Honor Roll Ceremony, Community Picnic, and Business Bash featuring live music and food trucks, along with local and veteran-owned businesses. Residents are encouraged to honor active-duty service members and veterans by submitting their names for the Honor Roll by Monday, May 18.

Professional Municipal Clerks Week

This week, May 3 - 9, is Professional Municipal Clerks Week, and the Village is proud to recognize Village Clerk Rosa Castellano and Deputy Clerk Luke Masella for their outstanding service. Each plays a critical role in maintaining official records, supporting public meetings, and ensuring residents have access to important information. Their dedication helps keep our local government responsive, organized, and accessible to the community. Thank you, Rosa and Luke, for all that you do!

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day

Earlier this spring, the Village Board proclaimed Saturday, May 9, 2026, as World Migratory Bird Day in River Forest. In celebration, the Village’s Sustainability Commission has partnered with local organizations to host a series of engaging events throughout the month of May. The schedule of events begins with “The Big Sit” on May 9 from 8–11 a.m. at Trailside Museum, inviting participants of all skill levels to observe and identify as many bird species as possible during peak migration. On May 19 from 10–11:30 a.m., residents can join a naturalist-led bird walk through Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve, exploring diverse habitats including restored grasslands and oak woodlands. The series concludes on May 28 from 7–8 p.m. at the River Forest Public Library with a discussion of Citizen Science: How Ordinary People Are Changing the Face of Discovery by Caren Cooper, highlighting how everyday residents can contribute to scientific research and bird conservation.

River Forest Business Spotlight

Whole Foods Market has proudly served the River Forest community since 1994. Offering a wide range of high-quality natural and organic products, the store continues to uphold strong commitments to sustainability and industry-leading standards. An exciting expansion is now nearing completion, bringing enhancements that will further improve the shopping experience for residents. We appreciate Whole Foods’ ongoing investment in our community. To learn more or place a pickup or delivery order, 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.