Shop with a Cop Recap, Confirm your Smoke Alarm Service, Utilize the Service Request Platform, and More!

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Dear River Forest residents,

Congratulations to Lincoln and Willard Elementary schools, as well as Roosevelt Middle School, for being recognized once again as top-performing schools in the State. Lincoln and Willard are in the top 6%, while Roosevelt Middle School is ranked in the top 14%. Strong schools are an important cornerstone of what makes River Forest a thriving community. Thank you to our administrators and teachers for the work they do each day to teach and guide our children!

As winter sets in, I want to remind you to take advantage of the Village’s Service Request Portal, where you can quickly enter a service request. These requests can include reporting a slippery intersection, fallen tree branches, and other situations that need the attention of our Village departments to keep our community as safe as possible.

Finally, the next Lake & Lathrop court hearing is scheduled for this coming Monday, December 15. I will be attending and am hopeful that the courts come to a final resolution on the legal matter between the former developer and Wintrust Bank. Judge Kyriakopoulos is presiding over the case in room 1502 at 10:30 a.m. We all look toward the opportunity to consider future development options for this important commercial corridor. Details about the outcome of this hearing will be shared in Village communications next week.

I also want to wish our Jewish community a joyful and meaningful Hanukkah!

Sincerely,

Cathy Adduci, Village President

Village of River Forest

Shop with a Cop Recap

Last Sunday, officers from River Forest joined colleagues from Forest Park, North Riverside, and Riverside for the annual “Shop with a Cop” event. Through generous support from Walmart and the Fraternal Order of Police lodges in all four communities, officers escorted local children in need on a festive shopping trip to choose holiday gifts. The participating police departments partner with area schools to identify under-resourced children who can benefit from this heartfelt annual tradition.

Use the Service Request Portal

As we head into the winter months with plenty of snow in the forecast, the Village encourages residents to utilize the Service Request Portal to report any areas that need attention. Our Public Works Department works diligently to clear streets and public spaces as quickly and safely as possible when a storm hits, and submitting a service request helps to ensure crews are alerted to trouble spots so they can respond promptly and keep our community moving. Access the Service Request Portal here.

Light Up the

Night Soon!

Join the Kiwanis Club of River Forest & Oak Park for its “Light Up the Night” celebration on Saturday, December 20. The Club provides luminary kits that include 10 white paper bags, 10 LED tea lights, sand for stability, and simple setup instructions. Each kit is available for $10, with all net proceeds going to support community youth programs. Kits can be picked up from the front porch at 1043 Keystone Avenue and payments can be made by cash, or a check made payable to Kiwanis of RFOP. Residents are asked to place payments in the envelope provided on the porch, and to drop it through the mail slot.

Have Fire, Sprinkler, and Alarms Tested

If your home is equipped with a fire sprinkler or fire alarm system, it’s essential to have them inspected and tested regularly to ensure they are in working order. If you have a provider for these systems, you should confirm your system is monitoring what it should. Certain systems will initiate a call to the Fire Department only if the sprinkler is activated, while others will do this if smoke detectors are activated. While the Village no longer requires fire alarm monitoring, having them monitored by a professional alarm company is highly recommended. A comprehensive inspection and testing schedule normally includes monthly, semi-annual, and annual checks. If you're unsure about the components of your system, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 708-714-3562 for assistance.

Winter Composting Changes

Compost collection has transitioned to an every-other-Tuesday schedule through March 2026, with upcoming pickup dates on December 16 and 30 (2025), followed by January 13 and 27 (2026). Dates for February and March will be shared as we get closer, and weekly service will resume on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The Program now also allows two neighboring households to share a single cart and split the monthly cost. To participate, residents can complete the “Bin Sharing” section of the Village’s Service Request Form. Once both households submit their information, the shared subscription will be activated. To learn more or to register, click here.

Overnight Parking

Ban Lifted

The Village’s Overnight Parking Ban will be temporarily suspended from Friday, December 19 at 12:01 a.m. through 9 a.m. on Monday, January 5, in observance of the upcoming holidays. During this period, no overnight parking waivers will be needed.

Please remember that parking is not permitted on any Village street once two inches or more of snow have accumulated, and for up to eight hours after the snowfall has ended. These rules help to ensure our snowplows can clear streets efficiently and that emergency vehicles can reach those who need them as quickly as possible. Thank you in advance for helping to keep our community safe this winter season.

Holiday Recycling

Holiday celebrations and traditions can also lead to more waste than we might expect. This season is a great time to be intentional about making sustainable choices. Below are some easy ways to reduce your environmental impact:

Use LED lights when possible to reduce energy use
Reuse gift bags, wrapping paper, ribbons and ornaments.
Recycle any wrapping materials that can’t be reused
Recycle old/unusable lights and extension cords in the Village’s Holiday Light Recycling Program.

For more tips on simple, sustainable practices you can incorporate into your daily routine, explore the River Forest Sustainability Commission’s Guide to Sustainable Living.

River Forest Business Spotlight

Villa Nails is now open in River Forest, and they’re celebrating with a weeklong soft opening from now through Sunday, December 14. Guests can enjoy exclusive gift card promotions plus 20% off all services, including pedicures, manicures (dip, no-chip, builder-gel, acrylic, gel), waxing, and more. For details, visit their Facebook page - and don’t miss the chance to stop in and see their gorgeous new space!

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.