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

December, 10, 2020

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

December 10, 2020

Dear River Forest Residents,

COVID-19 Update

Yesterday, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released a COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions document to help Illinoians with questions they may have as the nation prepares for vaccine distribution. Click here to read that document and learn more.

River Forest is under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). Vaccine distribution will be coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), IDPH and CCDPH, along with other private health care providers. We anticipate that the initial vaccine supply will be limited, and will be allocated to health care personnel and long-term care (LTC) residents and staff. According to IDPH the vaccine supply will increase over time and all adults should be able to be vaccinated in 2021. We are coordinating with the CCDPH to determine our share of the vaccine distribution based on their criteria.

Please continue to follow public health protocols: Wear a mask, social distance, and wash your hands. Between Sunday, November 29, and Saturday, December 5, we had 33 new positive cases; 397 tests were completed, resulting in a positivity rate of 8.3%. The week before, from Sunday, November 22, to Saturday, November 28, we had 34 new positive cases of COVID-19; 427 tests were completed, resulting in a positivity rate of 8.0%. For more on COVID-19 data, please read a previous COVID-19 Update by clicking here.

The Village will continue to update you on COVID-19 case data. Residents can also view this by visiting the following sources:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH, click “Case Data by Town”)
Enigma Forensics (utilizing data from the IDPH and tracking it day-by-day)

Please remember that Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) Tier 3 resurgence mitigations are still in effect. Click here for the complete list of Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigation requirements.

As we go into the holiday season, please remember that our River Forest COVID-19 Senior Response Team is still available! Please call 708-613-1642 for any assistance you need, such as grocery shopping, pharmacy pick-up, dog walking, library returns or pickups, snow removal and other non-direct contact needs.

Illinois COVID-19 Prevention Ambassadors

The IDPH has created a new program through which Illinois residents can serve as ambassadors to help promote the State's efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. Illinois COVID-19 Prevention Ambassadors are Illinoisans across the state who play a vital role in supporting current state efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 by promoting and sharing information among their friends, families, peers and neighbors on prevention measures, testing resources and other relevant information. Any Illinoisan can volunteer to be an Ambassador. Click here for full details and click here to complete an online survey to become an Ambassador today! For more information or if you have questions, please contact Juana.Ballesteros@illinois.gov.

Toy Drive

In collaboration with Athletic Konnection and the Village of Maywood, the Village River Forest will be collecting toys for children and families in need in the Proviso Township and River Forest area. The River Forest Community Center (8020 Madison) will host a gift drop-off site Monday – Friday, 8am-6pm through December 18. Only new toys/items are accepted. Toys can also be purchased through this link, which will be delivered directly to the organizers for distribution. Cash donations can be made through CashApp to: $donateAK and will be used as financial assistance to help 23 families with bills, rent, groceries, and gift cards. Let’s come together in this time of need and spread joy throughout our communities.

If your family is in need of toys for the holidays, please stop by the Toy Drive-Thru on December 20, from 11am-3pm at Proviso East High School (807 S 1St Ave in Maywood). Masks are required and children must be present in the vehicle in order to receive gifts.

Thanks to Fernandez Tree Service

Thank you to Fernandez Tree Service who helped to rescue a cat stuck in a tree in the forest preserves this past weekend. Click here to read the article from the Wednesday Journal. We appreciate this act of goodwill and kindness!

Shop River Forest

Throughout the holiday season, please consider supporting local businesses if you are able. Shop local and help support our restaurants and businesses during these difficult times, especially through Takeout 25 Oak Park, a local campaign geared toward getting commitment from residents to spend $25 each week on takeout from local restaurants through the winter months.

Business Spotlight:

Skincare Company - Skincare Company is located on Madison Street and is a full service spa and hair salon. They offer advanced, clinical skin care with a friendly staff that is fully trained, licensed and certified. Make an appointment today or take advantage of Skincare Company’s online shopping and gift cards!
Karl’s Craft Soup - Owner Karl Bader of Oak Park, was previously the operator of S3 Kitchen and has been based at River Forest Kitchen (349 Ashland) for over two years. He champions nutritious eating and is committed to local sourcing. Karl’s Craft Soup offers small-batch vegetarian and vegan soups, made with the best seasonal produce. Flavors rotate weekly and can be picked up or delivered. Karl's Craft Soup also has a long, successful history at many of Chicago’s most celebrated farmers markets (like Logan Square, Museum of Contemporary Art, Andersonville, Lincoln Park, 61st Street, etc.) and also partners with a variety of Chicagoland specialty food stores.
La Parrillita Mexican Grill - Located on North Avenue, La Parrillita is serving up delicious, fresh Mexican dishes, from tacos and burritos to tamales made fresh daily. Stop by or order online for your next lunch or dinner, or call 312-866-6585 for La Parrillita’s many catering options!

For more River Forest businesses, visit the Shop River Forest page of our website at vrf.us/ShopRF. Don't see a River Forest business listed on the Shop River Forest page? Want your business to be featured? Email info@vrf.us.

Sincerely,