River Forest Village Board of Trustees | | |
Dear River Forest residents,
I was very honored to be a part of NBC Chicago’s “Making a Difference” segment, which aired this past Sunday. The story highlighted 10-year-old River Forest resident Jack Drury, a published author of the book, “Elevated Adventures,” who shared his idea to bring a Little Library to Village Hall during a recent Village Board meeting. You can view the uplifting and excellent news segment from NBC News here or learn more in an article below.
Thank you to everyone who attended last weekend’s “Casual Conversation” event. Thoughtful feedback was shared on several topics - including traffic, the Civic Center, and the proposed Madison Street Development Project. I value these opportunities to connect and hear your perspectives. The next event is tentatively planned for late June and details will be shared in future Village communications when we get closer to the date.
I encourage you to learn more about the Washington Boulevard Corridor Improvement Project and consider sharing feedback during today’s open house at Village Hall. More information about this event can be found in the article below.
Finally, I had the pleasure of attending the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest’s annual fundraising gala alongside Village trustees and staff. Congratulations to Dennis and Laurel McMahon on receiving the prestigious “Heart of Our Villages Award,” which recognizes their longstanding commitment to historic preservation and civic service in our community.
Sincerely,
| | |
Cathy Adduci, Village President
Village of River Forest
| | Washington Boulevard Corridor Open House Tonight! | | |
Residents are invited to stop by the Community Room at Village Hall tonight (Thursday, March 19) from 4–7 p.m. for an Open House on the Washington Boulevard Corridor Improvement Project. This project aims to enhance safety and accessibility for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists between Thatcher and Lathrop avenues. Attendees can review plans, ask questions, and share feedback with the project team.
This will be one of the final opportunities for public comment, since Phase One of the project will wrap up in June. If you can’t attend in person, comments can be submitted via email. Learn more here.
| |
10-Year-Old Resident
in the News
| NBC Chicago recently featured River Forest in its Making a Difference segment, highlighting 10-year-old Jack Drury and his inspiring Little Library project. Jack, a published author of the children’s book “Elevated Adventures,” presented his idea to install a Little Library during the February 23 Village Board meeting. His vision quickly became a reality, and the Little Library was installed in front of Village Hall on March 10, to create a welcoming spot where children and families can share and discover books together. Watch the news segment here. | | |
New Light
Rescue Vehicle
| The Fire Department recently added a new Light Rescue Vehicle to its fleet, a strategic investment that will enhance both service and safety for the community. The vehicle allows firefighters to respond to certain calls with appropriately sized equipment rather than deploying a larger, heavy apparatus. This approach improves response efficiency, helps to extend the lifespan of larger emergency vehicles by reducing unnecessary use, and lowers long-term maintenance costs. Overall, the addition supports the Department’s continued commitment to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality emergency services to River Forest residents. | | | Join the 6th Annual Bike Exchange | | The 6th annual River Forest Bike Exchange returns on Sunday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Roosevelt Middle School playground. Hosted by District 90’s Green4Good, in partnership with the River Forest Sustainability Commission, the event encourages sustainability while bringing neighbors together. Residents can bring gently used bikes or cycling accessories to exchange or donate, browse available bikes with a suggested donation, and even register bicycles with the Police Department for a license sticker. The Bike Exchange offers a fun and environmentally-friendly way to pass along outgrown gear, reduce waste, and help more residents enjoy biking in the community. Learn more here. | |
Permit Season
Has Arrived
| With spring approaching, many residents and businesses make plans for improvement and renovation projects. Before starting any work, be sure to determine whether a building permit is required. The Village also maintains a list of approved, licensed contractors to ensure work is completed by a reputable group. All contractors must be licensed to perform work in the Village to help protect property owners and ensure all projects meet local standards. For added convenience, permit applications can be submitted online through the Village’s LAMA system, which also helps to streamline the review and approval process. | | |
March Madness at
St. Vincent Ferrer
| This Saturday, March 21, the Athletic Board at St. Vincent Ferrer School (SVF) will host their annual March Madness Fundraiser. This event raises funds to support a wide range of sports programs for students from kindergarten through 8th grade, and helps to maintain the gymnasium, support the concession program, and keep the rising cost of sports participation manageable. The fundraiser will take place in SVF Kyte Hall from 6:30–10 p.m. and feature live games, raffles, and basketball squares. Learn more here. | | | |
Residents can recycle corrugated plastic yard signs, including election signs, through a special collection now available at Village Hall. The recycling carts are located just north of the main entrance and will be available for public drop-off through Tuesday, March 31. Only corrugated plastic signs will be accepted, and all metal stakes must be removed before recycling - a separate container has been provided for the stakes. Please note: these materials cannot be placed in regular curbside recycling bins and must be brought to Village Hall for proper disposal.
| | River Forest Business Spotlight | | |
River Forest Animal Hospital has provided compassionate care to pets throughout the community for more than 50 years. Their team is dedicated to delivering personalized treatment for every patient, with services and facilities designed to support routine preventive care for young, healthy pets - as well as the early detection and treatment of illnesses in senior animals. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit their website.
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:
| | | | |