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The Village of River Forest is working with local officials and community partners to monitor the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Coronavirus is a new virus identified in December 2019. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, that include the common cold to more serious diseases such as pneumonia. The goal of the ongoing public health response is to detect new cases quickly and prevent community spread of COVID-19.
Phase 5 of Restore Illinois
On Friday, June 11, 2021, Illinois entered Phase 5 - the final phase of the Restore Illinois pandemic recovery plan. All capacity limits are lifted for indoor and outdoor settings, and large gatherings of all sizes can resume. Per CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals will not be required to wear face covers, except where required by federal, state, or local regulations, including businesses and workplaces. Unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear face covers in all public settings. For more information, click here.
Vaccine Information
Vaccination Information
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has released a COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions document to help Illinoians with questions they may have as the nation prepares for vaccine distribution. Click here to read that document and learn more.
River Forest is under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). Vaccine distribution will be coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), IDPH and CCDPH, along with other private health care providers.
Click here to sign up for the CCDPH vaccination registration form.
Click here for information about walk-in availability.
As of April 12, 2021, all residents over the age of 16 in Illinois are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Register here to receive text or email alerts when appointments become available, or text ‘AlertCook’ to 888-777 for text alerts about appointments at mass vaccination sites and more.
The CDC has endorsed the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents 12- to 15-years-old, following the FDA’s expansion of the vaccine’s use. Cook County Health is offering everyone ages 12 and over the Pfizer vaccine at eight vaccination sites across the suburbs, including Forest Park and River Grove. Appointments can also be scheduled here. Please note: anyone under 18 years of age can only receive the Pfizer vaccine and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For more information, click here.
Visit myshotcookcounty.com for information about COVID-19 vaccines, to track the latest vaccination data in suburban Cook County and for additional resources. Residents can call (833) 308-1988 weekdays between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. for updates and assistance with making appointments.
Visit the following links below for more information:
Both the IDPH and CCDPH have provided portals containing vaccination data to monitor progress of the vaccine administration.
Virtual Village Hall - How to Pay and Apply Online or Over the Phone
The Village will continue to operate a Virtual Village Hall, in addition to being open to the public. Persons needing to conduct business with the Village are encouraged to do it virtually if possible.
Essential operations and services offered through the Police, Fire and Public Works will continue. The Village is committed to serving its residents, and staff will be available virtually via phone and email.
The Village strongly encourages residents and customers to use the convenient online or phone payment systems to transact Village business. Please see the links below for more information. If you must submit paper documents or to pay by check, please utilize the green drop-box in front of Village Hall or the drop-off bin in the second floor lobby. Please note, a customer service representative will still be available during normal business hours to answer your calls. To speak with staff, please dial 708-366-8500.
Click here to Pay a Utility Bill
Click here to Pay a Ticket
Click here for all Other Business
Click here for Staff Contact Info
Other Topics
ComEd
ComEd will be working with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and identify energy assistance options to address their specific needs for customers unable to pay their bills. To learn more, click here.
Business Resources
The Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce continues to update their Covid 19 Information and Resources page for the latest news for area businesses.
Disposing of Medical Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment
Please remember that plastic gloves, masks, and medical tubing cannot be put in the recycling bin at home. Please dispose of medical equipment appropriately, by placing items directly into the garbage. Maintenance workers, particularly at shopping centers, will be exposed to unnecessary dangers when having to clean up medical litter.
Wipes and Paper Towels
Please do not flush any kind of wipes (even flushable) or paper towels down the toilet. These materials clog sewer lines and could lead to backups.
Electronics Recycling
The Village of Burr Ridge and eWorks Electronics Collection Facility drop off location is located at the Burr Ridge Public Works Facility, 451 Commerce Street, and its hours are Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 3 PM. To assist municipalities, residents and business with their electronics recycling needs, eWorks has opened up their facility in Elk Grove Village to collect electronics. eWorks is located at 1201 Estes Street, Elk Grove Village. As in Burr Ridge, there is a fee for televisions and monitors. You can also pay online in advance to avoid contact. Both locations will also be accepting clothing/textiles. Items such as: clothing, sheets, bedding, towels and other household textiles are accepted. No wet or heavily soiled items please. All clothing/textile items must be bagged. For more information please visit: www.eworksesi.org
Scams and Fraud
Stay alert to scams and fraud. Unfortunately, scammers are trying to take advantage of consumers during this challenging time using scam emails, hoax text message campaigns, and scam robocalls. Some of these messages are offering free home COVID-19 testing kits, promoting cures, selling health insurance and preying on virus-related fears. Others are related to the IRS requesting banking information related to federal stimulus checks. Click here for information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about federal stimulus checks.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers the following tips to help you protect yourself from scams, including coronavirus scams:
- Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear suspicious.
- Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages, or over the phone.
- Scammers often spoof phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding. Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money.
- Always check on a charity (for example, by calling or looking at its actual website) before donating.
Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Job Training and Placement Program
If you are a suburban Cook County resident facing COVID-19 financial hardship due to a loss of income, go here ChiCookWorks.org/CountyCARES or call 1-800-720-2515 and find out about the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Job Training and Placement program. The program is funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This program will provide training, placement, and lay-off aversion for suburban Cook County jobseekers and employers impacted by COVID-19.
Residents and Employers can review eligibility requirements and get assistance by contacting one of the seven American Job Center sites, part of the Chicago-Cook Workforce Partnership. The Cook County COVID-19 Community Recovery Initiative aims to strengthen suburban Cook County residents and small business affected by COVID-19. Visit www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery for more resources.