River Forest Newsletter October 2022

A River Forest Firefighter and his wife are spearheading a volunteer project to refurbish the murals of famous River Forest residents that grace the concrete wall along the Union Pacific railroad tracks on Central Avenue. Paul and Julie Zipperich have painted many murals together over the years, with their largest being the mural on the Leinenkugel’s Brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The couple has said they are extremely happy to be able to share some of their talents and contribute to the beauty of our community.

Paul has been a Firefighter/Paramedic with the River Forest Fire Department for over the past 20 years. Julie attended Concordia University in River Forest and has a double major in Art and Psychology. She is currently a guest teacher in their home and has also led many Park District classes through her non-profit, Fitness 4 Change. Paul and Julie are blessed with five children. Thanks to Jan and Mike McGee and Liita Forsyth for their assistance with the project.

From Village President Cathy Adduci

Dear River Forest residents,

The next Village Board Meeting will take place on Monday, October 10 at 7 p.m., and the Board will be presented with recommendations from The Traffic and Safety Commission - regarding the results of the Northeast Neighborhood Traffic Study. Suggested improvements include temporary traffic control measures. To read about the recommendations, click here Residents will be given time to provide feedback before any permanent measures are taken. In the coming month, please visit our social media pages or sign up for our Enewsletter for information that is forthcoming.

A virtual Rail Safety Summit, presented by the DuPage Railroad Safety Council, will be held on Thursday, October 20 from 8 a.m. until noon. The purpose of this summit is to prevent tragedy on the railroad tracks and reduce the number of railway-related fatalities. To learn more or to register for this summit, click here

Thank you to Riverside Village President Joseph Ballerine for hosting this year’s Tour de Proviso. It was a beautiful day to explore a nearby western suburb, and a great opportunity to meet with our neighbors. Fall is here, and the weather is cooling down, though many of our residents continue to ride their bicycles to work and school. I encourage all cyclists to remember the rules of the road and practice proper bike safety.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Early detection is crucial to surviving this illness, so please make sure to schedule screening your appointment to do so, and perform regular self-exams. For additional methods on detecting the onset of breast cancer, click here. Sincerely,

Cathy Adduci, Village President Village of River Forest

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News Around Town

River Forest Library has Begun Work on a New Strategic Plan

The Library has engaged the services of a consultant to guide them through the strategic planning process, with the goal of achieving an actionable and impactful strategic plan that meets the current and future needs of our community.

Friday, October 7 is the last day to complete the survey. The Library wants to hear from as many people in the community as possible, so please take a few minutes to complete this quick survey.

In addition to the survey, the consultant is facilitating community focus groups, soliciting feedback from Library trustees and staff, and analyzing data about the library and River Forest community. The information from these different avenues will help develop the next strategic plan. The process is expected to take several months.

In-person focus groups took place on Monday, October 3. Virtual focus groups will be held on Tuesday, October 11. Please email reference@riverforestlibrary.org if you are interested in attending.

The Library is excited to see where this journey will take them and looks forward to sharing more information as the process continues.

Public Works/ Development Services

Fall Cleanup Lasts Through Mid-December

Fall leaf cleanup is now underway, which allows residents to rake leaves into the street where Village crews will collect them. The program started in mid‐September and runs through the first week in December. Leaves should be raked onto the street, near, but slightly away from the curb to ensure proper drainage during a rain event. Village crews will collect leaves throughout the workday based on the following schedule:

Monday: Area west of Thatcher, including Edgewood, Auvergne, River Oaks and Lake as well as all streets south of the Union Pacific railroad tracks.

Tuesday: All streets between and including William and Harlem. Wednesday: All streets between and including Lathrop and Monroe, north of the railroad tracks.

Thursday: All streets between and including Park and Ashland, north of the railroad tracks.

Friday: All streets between and including Thatcher and Forest, north of the railroad tracks.

A map of this schedule can be found on the Village website here. Please note, this program allows for the pick‐up of leaves only. Grass clippings, brush and any other type of material should be disposed of in accordance with the Village’s refuse and yard waste procedures. Anyone interested in participating in the Village’s Curbside Composting Program can find additional information here

Village Department News

Police Department

River Forest Police Take Part in International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day is highlighted annually to remember those who have lost their lives due to overdoses, to acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind, and to renew a commitment from the community to end overdose related harms. The hashtag used for this awareness day is #EndOverdose.

The Community Coalition +PYD (Positive Youth Development) Opioid Task Force held its second annual Opioid awareness event at Scoville Park on August 31. Opioid Task Force members include representatives from River Forest, Oak Park, Maywood, and agencies from Chicago’s west and north sides. Members shared preventative resources, Opioid overdose reversal training, and education materials, with a special focus on raising awareness regarding the prevalence of Fentanyl in counterfeit pills in our communities. Local and state legislators offered words of hope, support, and continued due diligence in working together to end overdose deaths.

Laboratories (UL). Examine each set of lights for broken sockets, frayed wires, loose connections and discard any damaged sets. Be careful not to overload circuits when plugging in lights and other electronic decorations. Also, check that no decorations are blocking your home’s exit pathways and always remember to keep your escape routes clear in the case of a fire. Let’s make it a safer Halloween this year by following these tips.

River Forest Police Officer and Task Force member, Ben Ransom, provided insight into the Police Department’s activities and efforts to reduce overdose deaths. Among his many roles, Officer Ransom serves as the Police Department Crime Prevention Officer, School Resource Officer, Elderly Services Officer, and Business Liaison Officer. The Police Department has supported the +PYD Coalition since its inception in 2010 and has been a highly valued community partner in building healthy communities by working to reduce underage drinking and youth substance use.

Fire Department

Halloween Fire Safety Tips from the Fire Department Halloween can be the most frightful night of the year, as ghosts and goblins haunt the streets of River Forest ringing doorbells to get candy and other treats. With some attention toward fire safety when it comes to the use of candles or other lighting, we can make the holiday an enjoyable one for all by following some of the fire prevention tips below.

Consider battery-operated lights for decorations and avoid using candles altogether. Don’t put decorations near open flames and other heat sources, such as light bulbs or heaters. Purchase decorations that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory such as Factory Mutual Testing Lab (FM) or Underwriters

New Smoke Detector Law in Effect January 1, 2023

The new Smoke Detector Act will go into effect on January 1, 2023 in Illinois. This updated Act will require all Illinois residents to replace older smoke alarms with the type that have a long-term, 10year sealed battery by the end of 2022. At the end of the 10-year life cycle, the new smoke alarm will automatically alert the homeowner to replace the alarm. It is still recommended that you continue to test your smoke detector every month.

Commission

Spotlight

Plan Commission

The function of the Plan Commission is to oversee the adoption and maintenance of the Village’s Comprehensive Plan that articulates the Village’s general land use policies. The Plan Commission can also provide recommendations to the Village Board regarding a variety of land use and planning issues. The Commission has seven members who are residents of the Village, and who are appointed by the Village President with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees.

The River Forest Comprehensive Plan sets forth long-range recommendations for the maintenance and enhancement of the community and for desirable improvements, developments, and redevelopment in selected locations. The Plan is River Forest’s official policy guide for land use and development. It considers not only the immediate needs and concerns of the community, but also projects improvement and development 15 to 20 years in the future. The Comprehensive Plan provides guidelines by which the Plan Commission, Development Review Board, and Village Board can review and evaluate private development proposals. In 2017, the Village began the extensive process of updating the Comprehensive Plan, which was approved in 2019. To learn more, click here

Someone to Know

River Forest Sustainability

One of the most valuable things you can do to support pollinators is to provide them with the winter cover they need, in the form of fall leaves.

It may be habitual or a holdover of outdated gardening practices, but we just can’t seem to help ourselves from wanting to tidy up the garden at the end of the season—raking, mowing, and blowing away a bit of nature that is essential to the survival of moths, butterflies, snails, spiders, and dozens of arthropods.

To mimic the natural ecosystem, a layer of leaves needs to be at least a couple of inches thick. While this would be too much of a good thing for turf grass, research has shown that lawns actually benefit from a thin layer of leaves and the rest can be piled up around trees, shrubs, and perennials.

Many organic gardeners opt for shredding their fall leaves for use in compost piles. While this is certainly a more environmentally friendly practice than bagging leaves and sending them to the landfill, shredded leaves will not provide the same cover as leaving them whole, and you may be destroying eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalis along with the leaves. The Sustainability Commission suggests that leaves in garden beds and lawn edges be left whole. Where space allows, consider creating a leaf pile and allowing it to break down naturally, or add the leaves gradually to your compost pile over time. Such efforts will keep critters safe and allow you to benefit from the rich garden gift that falls from the trees above.

If you must keep your lawn clear of leaves, try opting for raking or using a leaf vacuum to capture whole leaves rather than shredding them with a mower and make leaf piles in a corner of your yard. Better still would be to reduce your overall lawn footprint, replacing it instead with wildlife-supporting plantings that can be future repositories for fall leaves.

If you would like to be a part of the Village’s goal of becoming a Community Wildlife Habitat, please go one step further and consider certifying your yard as a wildlife habitat with the National Wildlife Federation. For more information on how to register, please visit nwf.org/certify

P

lan Commission Chair David Crosby has served the Village through his role on the Commission as a member since 2014, and as Chair since 2019. He also serves as a member of the Development Review Board which is made up of four Plan Commission and three Zoning Board of Appeals members. David is an architect by trade and established David Crosby Architects in 2003 as a design firm dedicated to the practice of architecture and interior design. He is also an Adjunct Interior Design faculty member at College of DuPage.

David has been a resident of River Forest for nine years. When David and his wife decided to move out of the city, they thought they wanted to live in Oak Park and rented an apartment while they were looking for a house. While there, David found that he kept turning toward River Forest when walking his dog. David says they fell in love with the sense of calm in River Forest and truly loves all of the outdoor space for their three children and two dogs.

David says that it’s an honor to be a part of the Plan Commission’s community-driven process and that he enjoys listening to and incorporating multiple viewpoints into the Village’s future plans. He and his family volunteer by fostering dogs with Wright Way Rescue. You may see him around town or running through the forest preserve with his dog Flo!

Organizations Serving River Forest

Township

Many Township services and programs are returning to meeting inperson. To learn more, visit RiverForestTownship.org, the River Forest community calendar at rfhappenings.com, or email Supervisor Carla Sloan at supervisor@riverforesttownship.org

Learn to Play Mahjong!

Come learn American Mahjong, an exciting and fun game which combines strategy, luck, and social interaction. Beginners can meet with an instructor, Thursdays at 1 p.m. at the River Forest Community Center. Groups of more advanced players are also forming to play weekly. This opportunity is hosted by River Forest Township and is meant for seniors and adults of all ages. For more information, contact Betsy Kelly, Senior Outreach Coordinator, at 708-366-2029 ext 13 or email bkelly.rftownship@gmail.com

Deck the Depot Registration

Registration for Deck the Depot begins on Monday, October 17 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at The Depot, located at 401 Thatcher Avenue. Deck the Depot will take place Saturday, December 3 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event includes a holiday trolley ride around the Village, a reading of the Polar Express story, a holiday hunt, and treats to take home. At The Depot, enjoy a decadent hot chocolate bar, crafts and pictures with Santa. This event is open to River Forest residents only. To register for a timeslot, click here

Pickleball Social and Open Play

Strengthening Families Program Has Begin

Join Strengthening Families, an 11-week skill-building class for the whole family. Learn to communicate better, reduce stress, and improve relationships with each other. This program takes place on Tuesdays through December 13, from 6-8 p.m. and is open to River Forest and Oak Park families with children ages 7-17. Both the program and dinner are provided free of charge and takes place on Zoom, or in-person. Call 708-410-0615 for more information or to register. Services are provided by Ascension Illinois and sponsored by the OP Community Mental Health Board.

Sign up for the River Forest Township Assessor’s notifications.

Sign up for the River Forest Township Assessor’s email notifications by clicking here!

Pickleball social and open play will take place on October 22 through December 3, from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Washington Park Tennis Courts. The event will provide an opportunity for beginner players to develop their skills for one of the fastest-growing sports in the country! There are limited openings, so register today! Click here to register.

Library

Upcoming Programs: Fall gardening, movie night for families, service program for tweens.

Fallscaping: Best Plants for Fall Color - Sunday, 10/9, 2-3:30 p.m.

Gardening maven Nina Koziol returns! Discover shrubs, perennials and grasses for the home garden that offer great autumn color with their foliage, textures, late-season flowers and seed heads. This program is brought to you in partnership with the River Forest Township.

Residents should know that the 2nd installment tax bills are delayed because they have not been calculated by the Cook County Assessor, who has informed Cook County assessors that the installment tax bill may come out as late as November or December.

To learn more about Township programs and services, visit RiverForestTownship.org, the RF community calendar at www.rfhappenings.com, or email Supervisor

Sloan at supervisor@riverforesttownship.org

Family Movie Night at the Library - Thursday, 10/20, 6-8 p.m. Join the fun for a viewing of Hotel Transylvania and leave with some spooky treats! Advanced registration is required.

Junior Justice League for Tweens (Grades 5-8) - Wednesday, 10/26 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Advanced registration required. - *This is a new monthly serviceoriented program just for tweens.

Organizations Serving River Forest

90

New Track and Fields Coming in 2023

With roughly 250 student athletes, the boys and girls track teams comprise the largest and most diverse extracurricular activity at OPRFHS. Because the high school does not have a regulation-size track, the teams use the Concordia University Chicago track in River Forest for practice and competition. However, the agreement with Concordia expires in spring 2024, and the high school doesn’t have an option to renew it.

As a result, the school district is collaborating with the Park District of Oak Park (PDOP) on a plan to renovate most of the high school’s athletic fields, build a 400-meter track, and create an intergovernmental agreement on shared use of the two entities’ facilities. The estimated cost of the project is $15.7 million, which includes $2.9 million of overlapping work that will be eliminated from the 10-Year Maintenance Plan. If the plan is approved, it’s expected to be funded from cash reserves. Work would begin in spring 2023, with completion projected to be in the fall 2023.

The project also presents an opportunity to work toward the targets in the School Board’s recently approved resource conservation policy, which includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 100% of 2010 levels by 2050. The Board is considering investing in a geothermal system, which would be installed under the back field (between the football stadium and tennis courts, next to the Mall) prior to construction of the new track and multipurpose field. A renewable energy source, the geothermal system would meet 100% of the cooling needs of Imagine OPRF Project 2 and 64% of its heating needs. If Project 2 does not move forward, the geothermal system could still be used to supply some of the overall building’s energy needs. The schematic design and estimated cost for Project 2 will be presented for the first time at the October 27 Board meeting. For more information about facilities work at OPRFHS, visit bit.ly/OPRFfacilities.

No School Days in October

There are several days in October when students will not be in attendance. District 90 offices and schools will also be closed on Monday, October 10. In addition, students will be dismissed early on Friday, October 28, with faculty and staff participating in professional development activities during the afternoon. For more information, please contact your student’s school.

International Walk/Bike to School Week

District 90 students will be encouraged to walk or bike to school during International Walk/Bike to School Week, which began October 3 and runs through October 10, and as long as possible before the colder weather. This awareness week presents an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of walking and/ or biking to school, including promoting community connectedness, reducing traffic congestion, and promoting a cleaner environment. Elementary school students can gather with friends and neighbors as they walk or bike to school. PTO and parent volunteers, crossing guards, teachers, and faculty members are present during this week to help safeguard hundreds of D90 students. Families are encouraged to review bike and pedestrian safety guidelines with their students. Motorists are encouraged to keep watch for any students walking or on bikes who may be traveling in groups as they journey to and from school.

R

Forest Village President Cathy Adduci was recently honored as she was

in as the next president of the Illinois Municipal League. Otherwise known as IML, this organization’s members include mayors

Village Presidents from all over our State,

numerous

for

leaders to network, share ideas

one another’s

them.

learn

to set

am extremely honored and proud to serve as the next president of this fine organization, whose goal is to encourage smart governance, and connectedness between villages and cities throughout Illinois to move forward and build the strongest communities for our collective residents,” Adduci said.

provides advocacy for cities and villages at the State and national level and legal assistance when needed. In addition to a yearly conference, IML hosts numerous educational and professional development opportunities for its 1,295 local government organization members. Learn more at iml.org.