A Special E-News Message from Village President Catherine Adduci Regarding Phase Three of Restore Illinois, Flooding, Waste Reminders, and Memorial Day

May, 22, 2020

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

COVID-19 UPDATE

May 22, 2020

Dear River Forest Residents,

Emergency Alert Sign-Up

Please CLICK HERE and help us reach all of River Forest by signing up for our emergency alerts and e-newsletters. These alerts include important communications such as messaging regarding police, fire, flooding and COVID-19.

Restore Illinois

As of today, the Village of River Forest has 38 confirmed positive cases and no deaths. The Village has seen a flattening and decline in growth in positive cases.

The State of Illinois continues to provide information regarding Governor Pritzker’s reopening plan, Restore Illinois. Earlier this week, Governor Pritzker provided updates to Phase 3 of the plan that will take effect state-wide May 29. The Village of River Forest is required to follow the Governor’s order and therefore we will be allowing the following:

Phase 3 includes:

Gatherings: All gatherings of 10 people or fewer are allowed indoors and outdoors while remaining six feet apart or wearing a face covering.
Health clubs, retail, and personal care services: health clubs, gyms, and fitness studios can provide one-on-one personal training in indoor facilities and outdoor fitness classes of up to ten people. Personal care services, like nail salons, hair braiders, spas and barbershops, can open with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) safety precautions and capacity limits.
All retail stores can open their doors to in-person shopping with IDPH safety precautions and capacity limits in place.
Bars and restaurants: Bars and restaurants will have the option to resume operations for outdoor seating only. Tables must be six feet apart and away from the sidewalks, masks and distancing measures for staff must continue to be followed, and other precautions and guidance will be issued.
Outdoor activities: All remaining state parks will reopen on May 29. All concessions will reopen under the guidelines set for our retail and food service businesses. Illinois will permit the re-opening of indoor and outdoor tennis facilities with IDPH safety precautions and capacity limits. Single play only. For golf, courses can allow foursomes out on the same tee times. Carts will also be permitted with one person per cart, or one immediate household per cart. With the new 10 person gathering limit for all activities, boating or camping with up to ten people will be permitted. The River Forest Park District’s open space and walkways/pathways are open. All facilities such as playgrounds, hut, and drinking fountains are closed. Please check the Park District’s website here for further information regarding other outdoor activities.
“Non-essential” businesses: Employees of “non-essential” businesses are allowed to return to work with IDPH approved safety guidance depending upon risk level, tele-work strongly encouraged wherever possible; employers are encouraged to provide accommodations for COVID-19-vulnerable employees.

Please remember to continue to wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, and wear a face covering in public areas where you cannot maintain a six foot distance from one another, including grocery stores. Sustained rises in positive cases, increases in hospital admissions, reduction in hospital capacity, and significant outbreaks could result in moving back to Phase 2.

If you are a person with increased risk, please consider staying home and taking additional precautions. The Village of River Forest COVID-19 Senior Response Team will remain available to you if you are in need of additional services, such as grocery shopping, pharmacy pick up or needing a face mask Please call our River Forest COVID-19 Senior Response Team at 708-613-1642 we are here to help you…..no need to go it alone!

Flood and Flood Prevention

Earlier this week, the Village provided an important communication about flooding and flood prevention. Please click here to read IMPORTANT information about flood prevention.

The flood wall at Chicago & Thatcher is working properly and is successfully protecting Thatcher Avenue and the adjacent homes in that area from river flooding. These flood walls will remain in place through at least Memorial Day weekend as a precaution. Watch the video below, especially at 1:45 into the video, to see overhead shots of the area that show how important this flood wall is.

Help Keep River Forest Clean and Beautiful

Please do your part to keep River Forest clean and beautiful by taking a moment to dispose of your garbage safely and properly, including picking up after your pets. Click here for more information about waste disposal.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is always a special time for River Forest. Together, we have historically enjoyed the unofficial start to summer, gathered to thank those who have served our country, and celebrated River Forest’s signature Memorial Day parade along with free hot dogs in the park. While this year’s parade has been canceled, I hope that River Forest will join me in taking time to celebrate with friends and family virtually and give thanks to current and past military members and their families for their service.