Streetscape Open House| Leaf Blower Ordinance | Derby Scavenger Hunt this Saturday

River Forest Village Board of Trustees

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Dear River Forest residents,

The Village is entering a new budget year with positive news: the Village Board adopted a balanced budget at the April 27 Board meeting, continuing a 14-year tradition of responsible fiscal planning. The budget is available for residents to view here. I’m proud of our Village Board and staff for their continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and thoughtful management of community resources.

I encourage everyone to attend the upcoming North Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project Open House, held in partnership with the Village of Elmwood Park. This meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about the proposed improvements from Thatcher to Harlem avenues and share feedback with the project team. More details can be found in the article below.

We’ve received significant feedback regarding the Village’s new leaf blower ordinance, which takes effect Friday, May 15. The Village Board, Sustainability Commission, and staff spent months gathering feedback from residents and contractors to craft a phased-in, gradual approach beginning with the seasonal prohibition this year. You can review the approval timeline here. The transition from gas-powered to electric leaf blowers is meant to reduce emissions and environmental impacts. More information is available in an article below.

Finally, please join me in congratulating the newest member of our Police Department, Officer Charles Hutchinson, who recently graduated from the State Academy and is now training alongside our experienced police officers.

Sincerely,

Cathy Adduci, Village President

Village of River Forest

Attend the North Avenue Streetscape Open House

The Village is hosting an Open House in partnership with the Village of Elmwood Park on the proposed North Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project, spanning from Thatcher to Harlem avenues. The event will be held on Wednesday, May 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Kyte Hall, St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church. The purpose is to provide an overview of the project and schedule, review existing conditions along the corridor, and present proposed improvements for public feedback. Attendees will have the opportunity to view exhibits and discuss the project directly with members of the project team.

Leaf Blower Ordinance in Effect May 15

Beginning Friday, May 15, the Village’s leaf blower ordinance will take effect following unanimous approval by the Village Board in 2025. The ordinance introduces a phased approach to reducing emissions by prohibiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers from May 15 through September 15 each year. During this same timeframe, the use of fossil-fuel powered generators to operate or charge leaf blowers are also prohibited.

To support the transition to more sustainable landscaping practices, the ordinance includes an incentive program for licensed contractors. Those who voluntarily commit to using only electric leaf blowers year-round are eligible for a rebate equal to their contractor licensing fee, and they will be recognized on the Village website as environmentally responsible service providers. For contractors interested in signing up, click here. Review the approval timeline for the ordinance here.

Tree City USA Award & Arbor Day Recap

The Village is proud to celebrate 28 consecutive years as a Tree City USA community, a designation that reflects River Forest’s ongoing commitment to caring for its urban forest, investing in green spaces, and creating a healthier, more beautiful environment for residents. Thank you to our community members, volunteers, and Public Works team whose continued efforts help to preserve and enhance the local tree canopy.

In celebration of both the Tree City USA milestone and Arbor Day, Public Works staff partnered with Roosevelt Middle School’s sustainability group to plant several trees on school grounds. The event highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship while engaging students in efforts to help create a greener, more beautiful community for future generations.

Welcome Officer Hutchinson!

Please join the Police Department in welcoming its newest officer, Charles Hutchinson! Officer Hutchinson graduated from the Cook County Police Academy on April 24 after successfully completing the State Academy’s 16-week certified training program. He has now officially begun a 14-week field training program with the Police Department. Congratulations, Officer Hutchinson, and welcome to the River Forest community!

Memorial Day Commemoration

Celebrate Memorial Day in River Forest at the 101st annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, followed by the Honor Roll Ceremony, Community Picnic, and Business Bash. The parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. from Iowa Street and Ashland Avenue and concludes at Keystone Park, where residents can enjoy live music, food trucks, and a showcase of 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. Businesses interested in participating in the Business Bash can register here.

Derby Scavenger Hunt This Saturday!

Support local businesses while enjoying an afternoon with family and friends at the Spring Derby Scavenger Hunt this Saturday, May 2, from noon to 2 p.m. Hosted by the North Avenue Quad Collective, this family-friendly event invites participants to explore businesses along North Avenue between Harlem and Lathrop avenues, search for hidden horses, and collect prizes along the way. Shoppers will also have the chance to enter a grand prize raffle before wrapping up the event at Studio 19 Barre. It’s a great opportunity to discover local businesses and show support for the neighborhood shops that help make the River Forest community vibrant. Learn more here.

Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week

The Village encourages residents to participate in International Compost Awareness Week - May 3–9. This global educational initiative promotes composting and highlights how it supports healthier soil and a more sustainable environment. This year’s theme, “Compost: Feed the Soil that Feeds Us,” emphasizes the important role compost plays in sustaining life. Residents can learn more through online and in-person events hosted by the Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition. River Forest residents can also take advantage of local composting options through the Village’s curbside yard waste and food scrap program, managed by Lakeshore Recycling Systems, which offers multiple cart sizes and a cost-saving cart-sharing option for neighbors. In addition, food scraps, compostable paper products, and certified compostable materials can be dropped off at Village Hall, the Public Works Garage, and the Water Pumping Station.

River Forest Business Spotlight

Yolk is a popular breakfast and brunch destination, known for its creative menu offerings, fresh-squeezed juices, and signature premium coffee. Focused on quality ingredients and affordable pricing, Yolk provides a welcoming spot for residents and visitors to enjoy a fresh start to their day. The restaurant is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and online ordering is also available 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.