Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | | |
Dear River Forest residents,
First, I’d like to welcome Officers Juan Acevedo, Andrew Cassin, Luke Thomas, and Carlos Trejo as the newest members of our Police Department, and congratulate them on their recent graduation from the Cook County Law Enforcement Police Academy.
I wish all of our residents a safe and joyful New Year! This is a great time to reflect on the past year and decide on personal and professional goals for 2026.
Please note that Village Hall will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 1, 2026, in observance of the holiday, and will reopen for regular business hours at 8 a.m. on Friday, January 2.
Sincerely,
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Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
| | New Officers Join the Police Department | | The Police Department is proud to announce the graduation of Officers Juan Acevedo, Andrew Cassin, Luke Thomas, and Carlos Trejo from the Cook County Law Enforcement Police Academy on December 18. Over the course of an intensive 16-week program, the officers received comprehensive training in law enforcement practices and procedures. Following graduation, each officer has entered the Department’s Field Training and Evaluation Program, where they will complete fourteen weeks of supervised, on-the-job training with experienced Field Training Officers. The Department congratulates Officers Acevedo, Cassin, Thomas, and Trejo and wishes them success as they begin their careers in River Forest! | | |
The Police Department is participating in statewide holiday safety campaigns, including, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High, Get a DUI,” and “Click It or Ticket,” running through Monday, January 5, 2026. These initiatives, supported by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s “It’s Not a Game” program, emphasize that driving is a serious responsibility.
Chief Greenwood encourages residents to plan a sober ride, always buckle up, drive safely, and avoid distractions. Residents are also urged to report impaired drivers by calling 911 and to support friends in making safe choices - proactive planning can help save lives this holiday season.
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Green Recycling
Starts Tuesday
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Curbside collection for holiday greens - including live Christmas trees, wreaths, and garland - will take place every Tuesday in January. To ensure proper composting, remove all lights, tinsel, ornaments, metal hangers, plastic, and tree stands and place items at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection days. This service is for holiday greens only and does not include other yard waste or leaves.
Please note that this collection is available only to residents with Village waste service through Lakeshore Recycling Systems. Businesses and multi-family properties should arrange the disposal of holiday greens directly with their contracted waste hauler. Click here to learn more.
| | | Water is at the heart of everything we use and makes modern life possible; without it, our daily routines and industries would come to a halt. From the smartphone in your pocket to a glass of wine or a fresh coat of paint, almost every product we rely on requires water - often in surprising amounts. For example, it takes nearly 3,000 gallons of water to produce a single smartphone! The Public Works Department encourages residents to learn more about the importance and benefits of water here. | | Repurpose Shipping Materials | | |
During the holidays, Americans generate approximately 25% more trash and much of it can be reused instead of ending up in landfills. The Sustainability Commission is partnering with EcoShip, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to collect clean, tape-free packaging and shipping materials for reuse. From now through Monday, January 12, 2026, a dropbox will be available on the second floor lobby at Village Hall. Through EcoShip, small businesses in Illinois have saved more than $21,000 by reusing donated materials. Learn more about accepted items here.
| | River Forest Business Spotlight | | |
Help your vehicle withstand the colder weather at Pete’s Automotive Services. Open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Pete’s offers everything from oil changes and battery checks to brakes and engine repairs. The location also sells high-quality maintenance and repair parts for all major vehicle systems, including off-road and industrial vehicles. Call 708-366-1115 to schedule an appointment and keep your car running safely all season.
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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