A Special E-News Message from Village President Catherine Adduci Regarding Guidance on Cloth Face Coverings, Memorial Day Parade Cancellation, Landscaping Contractors, Eggsecutive Action 20-EGG, General Reminders

April, 10, 2020

A Special E-News Message from the Village President, Catherine Adduci

COVID-19 UPDATE

April 10, 2020

Dear River Forest Residents,

River Forest Stays Home

Please do your part and support our River Forest Stays Home campaign. We are starting to see the positive effects of the stay at home order, but now is not the time to let up. Both Federal and State authorities have indicated that the next two weeks will be critical in trying to slow down the spread of COVID-19. Now is the time to stay home.

Here’s what #RiverForestStaysHome means:

Do stay home
Do exercise in your home or walk alone, with one other family member or around the neighborhood while walking your dog
Do work in your yard or garden
Do clean your home
Do read a book. Check out our library's digital books.
Do call and check in on friends, family and neighbors
Do essential tasks only if you need (see grocery guidelines)
Do play River Forest Stays Home BINGO!
Don’t walk or exercise with groups - even if you are 6 feet apart
Don’t gather with others or allow a party in your home
Don’t play in the park. The PARKS AND ALL FIELDS are CLOSED.
Don’t have play dates and gather with other children or young adults

Executive Order 20-03

On April 3, 2020, I executed Executive Order 20-03 to be effective immediately. This Order makes the violation of an Executive Order of the Governor a public nuisance in the Village of River Forest and subject to a fine. This means gathering with others who are not members of your own family will now be treated as a public nuisance, an action that affects the health, peace and comfort of the residents of the Village. The purpose of this Executive Order is to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and stress the critical need for everyone to Stay at Home except for essential activities. It is not the intent of the Village to make this punitive or stressful for our community. It is meant to keep us safe and for all of us to get through this time and back to normal.

River Forest COVID-19 Senior Citizen Response Program

If you are a senior with an underlying health condition, stay home and avoid others. If you are a senior or an older adult needing services, such as grocery shopping or pharmacy pickup, please contact the River Forest COVID-19 Senior Citizen Response Program at 708-613-1642. We are here to help you.

Cloth Face Coverings

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) now recommend wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, including all stores, post office, or pharmacies. In addition to practicing social distancing, cloth face coverings help slow the spread of COVID-19 and help those who may unknowingly have the virus from transmitting it to others. Individuals should wear a mask or face covering when they must leave their home.

The covering can be a scarf, a bandana, or a mask you make at home. Learn from the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, how to make your own easy cloth face covering by clicking here.
Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth when removing the mask. Make sure to wash your hands immediately after removing it. Clean the mask frequently by using a washing machine.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age two, anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

Cloth face coverings should:

fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face and be secured with ties or ear loops
include multiple layers of fabric and allow for breathing without restriction
be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

If you are in need of a cloth face covering and unable to make your own, please contact the River Forest COVID-19 Senior Citizen Response Program at 708-613-1642 or rfseniorhelp@gmail.com.

Refuse Collection

For residents with refuse collected by Roy Strom Collection Company and billed by the Village, any items that exceed the allowable capacity that are placed in a garbage bag will be picked up and not require a “yellow tag” for pickup. Large bulk items that cannot fit into a garbage bag such as a couch or refrigerator, will not be picked up at this time. All items must be placed in a bag.

Birthday Gram

The Village of River Forest Police and Fire Departments took a moment earlier this week to give Elliot a very special happy birthday parade! If your child (or anyone) has a birthday coming up, let us know! We’ll send over a police or fire truck to do a “drive by” wave. Parents should call 708-366-7629 and we’ll handle the rest.

2020 Census

The 2020 Census is not over! While the Census Day celebrations on April 1 have come and gone, you still have time to self-respond to the Census! Complete the Census today. In the coming days, households that have not yet self-responded to the Census will begin to receive paper questionnaires in the mail.Once it is safe to do so, the Census Bureau will send out interviewers to knock on the doors of people who haven’t responded in order to collect answers in person. Visit vrf.us/Census today for more information.

River Forest Memorial Day Parade Canceled

Due to the continued uncertainty with COVID-19 and after much consideration, the 2020 River Forest Memorial Day Parade has been canceled. The River Forest Park District and the Village of River Forest would like to thank the parade sponsors and the River Forest Civic Association for their support. Over the Memorial Day weekend and on their website, the Park District will be honoring our veterans and recognizing our residents who serve in the armed forces.

Thrive Counseling Therapists Available

If you are feeling overwhelmed about Covid-19, you are not alone. Thrive Counseling Center has just launched a free phone support line. If you need to talk, Thrive's professional therapists are ready to hear from you. Please call the Thrive Check-In line at 708-383-7500, ext. 888, Monday – Friday between 9 AM - 2 PM. Thrive’s experienced professionals can provide support for any emotional issues you may be experiencing during this uncertain and often stressful time.

Landscape Contractors

The Village has received inquiries from concerned residents regarding landscape contractors operating in the community. Under the Governor’s Executive Order landscape contractors are allowed to operate in order to maintain private residents and businesses. However, the Village has asked these contractors to ensure that they are abiding by social distancing guidelines, providing hand sanitizer and handwashing abilities for their employees, and to utilize face coverings within the CDC’s guidelines if employees are unable to maintain social distances. The Village has informed landscape contractors that failure to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order could result in consequences including fines and the possible revocation of their contractor’s license.

EGGSECUTIVE ACTION (20-EGG)

Also, I took an eggs-traordinary Eggsecutive Action today announcing the Easter Bunny is considered an "essential worker" and may conduct official Easter Bunny business in River Forest this Sunday!