Voting & Elections

The Cook County Clerk's office is the chief election authority for more than 120 towns and villages in suburban Cook County. Visit the County's website to access all available information regarding voting and elections. Voting by mail is an easy option for voters, and you can request a vote by mail ballot through email, mail, online or in person. Vote by mail ballot applications are available at Village Hall and online by clicking here.

Your Election Day polling location may have changed since previous elections. Please check your polling location by clicking here.

Running for Office

Individuals interested in running for the office of Village Trustee in the 2025 Consolidated Election are advised to visit the State Board of Elections website: www.elections.il.gov. Additionally, please see the State of Illinois Candidate's Guide issued by the State Board of Elections.

The minimum number of signatures required for placement of a candidate’s name (whether an independent candidate or a new political party) on the ballot for the upcoming April Consolidated Election is 87 signatures (5% of the 1,738 ballots cast for trustees at the most recent Consolidated Election in 2023). Potential candidates are advised to consult with their own legal counsel regarding election filing.

April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election

The below list represents the vacancies for the Village of River Forest in the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election.

Village President
Village Trustee
Village Trustee
Village Trustee
Village Clerk

Hours for inspection are Monday - Friday, 8AM-4:30PM. If you would like to inspect the materials electronically, please fill out this sheet and send it to FOIA@vrf.us

This information is presented as a guide only. It is the responsibility of the potential candidate to verify filing requirements for the 2025 Consolidated Election with the State Board of Elections.

Your Voter Information

The Cook County Clerk's Office provides an online voter information tool to check your registration status, polling place, elected officials and more.

Register to Vote

Please click here to complete online voter registration.

In order to register or change your voter registration at Village Hall, please note that Village employees will be assisting you using the online tool noted above, which requires entering the following information:

Your Illinois Driver's License or Illinois State ID number.
Date the license or ID was issued.
The last four digits of your social security number.
Your birth date.

If you do not have a driver’s license, State ID card or social security number, you can obtain a manual registration form and you must mail with this application, either (i) a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or (ii) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. If you do not provide the information required above, then you will be required to provide election officials with either (i) or (ii) described above the first time you vote in person or prior to voting by mail.

Early registration is closed by Cook County law 30 days before an election and for five days after an election.

On Election Day, voters who are not registered to vote can register and vote at their home precinct only. Any voter who is not registered and needs to know where to go to register and vote on Election Day can utilize the Clerk’s online Your Voter Information Tool to find their proper polling place by address or birthday. Voters planning on registering to vote or updating their address on Election Day must bring two pieces of identification to register, one with a current address.

Ways to Vote

Vote by Mail

Any registered suburban Cook County voter may request a mail ballot online. Once the County verifies your registration and processes your application, they will send a paper ballot to the mailing address you designate in your application. The deadline to apply is five days before an election. Click here for a list of mail ballot secure drop box locations. The County has issued this FAQ about voting by mail.

Early Voting

Early voting is open to all registered voters whether or not you will be out of town on Election Day. You may early vote at Maybrook Square (located east of 1st Avenue north of the Eisenhower Expressway in Maywood) or any other Cook County early voting site.

Check the Cook County Clerk's website for early voting locations.

Election Day Voting

Registered suburban Cook County voters can only vote in their home precinct on Election Day. Residents who are not registered to vote may register and cast a ballot on Election Day. Those who wish to register on Election Day must present two qualifying forms of ID. Registered and unregistered Cook County residents can find their assigned polling place with the Your Voter Information tool. PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR PRECINCT POLLING LOCATION HERE AS IT MAY HAVE CHANGED SINCE PREVIOUS ELECTIONS.