A Special E-News Message from Village President Catherine Adduci Regarding Scams and Frauds, Small Business Spotlights, and Reminders

April, 17, 2020

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

COVID-19 UPDATE

April 17, 2020

Dear River Forest Residents,

We need your help reaching all River Forest residents - if you or someone you know does not receive Village of River Forest emergency alerts and E-News to their email inbox or phone line, including cell phones, please sign up by visiting the Village website at vrf.us/alert. It will really only take a minute to sign up. Help us keep River Forest informed.

The Stay at Home order remains in full effect through April 30, 2020. Please continue to do your part and support our #RiverForestStaysHome campaign. We know that adhering to the Stay at Home order is more difficult as each day goes by and especially as we enter the weekend. While we all want to go out with friends and gather with our family, please remember that staying home and practicing social distancing is the only way to keep safe and healthy. Let’s continue to support others in our community and beyond through this difficult time, and when April gives you snow, make a PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) snowperson!

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.

Small Businesses

Please support River Forest small businesses. So many of our businesses are getting creative during this time, including our very own The Little Bits Workshop. The Little Bits Workshop has many offerings during the Stay at Home order including free YouTube workshops, DIY kits, and more. Check out their virtual art show that includes beautiful local art with prints for sale. The below piece is titled “Hygge” which comes from the word “hug”. The painting was done by owner Liita Forsyth and loosely represents the Oak Park River Forest community with the backdrop of Chicago and a river, forest and urban environment.

Also, check out Blackout Baking Company, another one of River Forest’s very own businesses.

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. Individuals should wear a mask or face covering when they must leave their home.

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.

2020 Census

The 2020 Census is not over, and we still need to hear from almost 30% of River Forest homes. For every person not counted, the Village loses Federal and State funds. You still have time to be counted in the 2020 Census!

Complete the Census today online or over the phone.
In the coming days, the nearly 30% of 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 US Census Bureau will send out interviewers to knock on doors of residents who haven’t responded.

Thrive Counseling Therapists Available

If you are feeling overwhelmed about Covid-19, you are not alone. Thrive Counseling Center is offering phone-based counseling and medication management to address the community’s needs during the COVID-19 crisis.

Their Crisis Intervention Services are still available by dialing (708) 383-7500. Their Front Desk team is ready to assist you Monday-Friday, 9am and 2pm, with requests for referrals or new services and to reschedule or cancel an appointment.
Thrive is also now a proud partner of the Illinois Call4Calm Text Line Service. Text “TALK” TO 552020 (or “HABLAR” for Spanish). The Illinois "Call4Calm" Text Line is not a crisis hotline, but is a source of support for anyone experiencing stress and in need of a listening ear. Thrive is here to serve you.

River Forest Stays Home

Here’s what #RiverForestStaysHome means:

Do stay home
Do exercise in your home or work in your garden
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 to (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

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.

#RiverForestStaysHome

Sincerely,