The River Forest Police Department has again partnered with 7-11 to reward good citizenship by youth in River Forest through the Operation Chill program. Now in its 23rd year, Operation Chill is a program in which police throughout the US are provided with coupons for free Slurpees from 7-11, to be given to youth in the community. RFPD has been a part of the program for over a decade, and primarily uses coupons to reward kids wearing helmets while riding their bicycles in the village. During bike safety assemblies, kids are taught that they should always wear their helmets for safety and to comply with village ordinance, but that they may receive a free Slurpee as an added bonus. At their discretion, RFPD officers may also use the coupons to reward kids for other good deeds.
According to 7-11, Operation Chill has grown to include more than 1,000 local law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada. Nearly 21 million coupons have been distributed to officers on the beat in cities and towns where 7-Eleven does business.