A Special E-News Message from Village President Catherine Adduci Regarding Governor's Extension of the Stay at Home Order, Face Coverings

April, 24, 2020

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

COVID-19 UPDATE

April 24, 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.

Stay at Home Order

Yesterday, Governor Pritzker announced that the Stay at Home order will be extended in Illinois and will remain in effect through May 30, 2020. These changes will take effect on May 1, 2020. A few important changes from the previous Stay at Home order are:

OUTDOOR RECREATION: State parks will begin a phased reopening under guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. Fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people will be permitted. A list of parks that will be open on May 1 and additional guidelines can be found on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website here. Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and when ensuring that social distancing is followed.
NEW ESSENTIAL BUSINESS: Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may reopen as essential businesses. These stores must follow social distancing requirements and must require that employees and customers wear a face covering. Animal grooming services may also re-open.
NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL: Retail stores designated as non-essential businesses and operations may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up outside the store and delivery.
FACE COVERINGS: Beginning on May 1, individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can't maintain a six-foot social distance. Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores. This new requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask.
ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURING: Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing, as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers.
SCHOOLS: Educational institutions may allow and establish procedures for pick-up of necessary supplies or student belongings. Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.

Face Coverings Required - Executive Action 20-04

Please note that the River Forest Executive Order is prior to the Governor’s requirement for the entire State of Illinois. The River Forest Executive Order will be superseded by the Governor’s Executive Order on May 1.

In my capacity as Village President, I have signed Executive Order 20-04. This Executive Order is intended to promote the health and safety of our community and those who patronize our businesses. We believe that taking these actions will assist in the Governor’s decision to gradually reopen more businesses that remain closed under the Stay at Home order.

We must do everything we can to stay healthy, support our businesses, and provide the safest experience possible for all. I am grateful that River Forest is a strong community of residents that can be counted on to support and care for one another.

This order will become effective on:

Friday, April 24 - River Forest essential business employees
Tuesday, April 28 - Anyone in an essential business

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) already recommend wearing cloth face coverings. River Forest is now requiring face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Face coverings do not need to be elaborate and include non-medical grade masks, homemade face coverings, scarves, bandanas or handkerchiefs.

If you are in need of a cloth face covering and unable to make your own, or a senior or 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 or rfseniorhelp@gmail.com. We are here to help you.

Check out these fun cookies from Reuter’s Bakery in Chicago, owned by River Forest residents Erin and Richard Eberle!

Waste Disposal

Residents are asked to review the following information regarding waste disposal. Please do your part to keep River Forest clean and beautiful by taking a moment to dispose of your garbage safely and properly.

Please do not flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet - anything other than toilet paper clogs sewer lines and could lead to sewer backups.
Please dispose of latex gloves and disposable face masks appropriately, by placing items directly into the garbage. They cannot be put in the recycling bin at home.

For residents with refuse collected by Roy Strom Collection Company and billed by the Village, please click here and visit our website for what is allowable for pickup while we are under the Stay at Home order. Yard waste collection has begun.

Vehicle, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Safety

As the weather gets nicer, more people will be exercising outdoors. Please take a moment to review these safety reminders:

Drivers: Please obey all speed limits and stop signs, slow down, and make sure to share the road with runners and bicyclists

Bicyclists: Cyclists must obey the same “Rules of the Road” as motor vehicles:

Proper lane usage and obeying traffic signals.
Must stay to the right and no more than 2 riders abreast.
At least one hand must be on handlebars and when riding at night, bikes must have white light on front and red reflector on rear.

For more information on bicycling in River Forest, please click here.

Walkers: Please use caution when crossing intersections.

Runners: Please use caution and make way for cars. Please wear reflective gear.

#RiverForestStaysHome Campaign

Check out this Community Social Distancing Art Project guided by residents Jenna and Lea and completed by local 2nd and 3rd grade students at Lincoln and Willard, who each completed a different section of the art project at home.