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

January, 14, 2021

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

January 14, 2021

Dear River Forest Residents,

COVID-19 Vaccine

The Village will continue to share all vaccine distribution information with residents. If you have not already, please read my message from last week regarding COVID-19 vaccinations by clicking here. At this time, the State of Illinois and Cook County are still in Phase 1a, which focuses on health care workers (particularly those who treat COVID patients) and residents and staff at long-term care facilities. In the next phase, Phase 1b, residents over the age of 65 will be eligible to receive the vaccination along with frontline essential workers as outlined by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Click here to learn more. If you have questions, please review the resources below and contact your primary care physician. You may also call the River Forest COVID-19 Senior Response Team at 708-613-1642 or Village Hall at 708-366-8500.

The IDPH has released a new portal containing Illinois vaccination data to monitor progress of the vaccine administration. Click here to go to the portal.

The CCDPH is now inviting residents to sign up to receive information about the vaccine distribution plan. This survey does not register individuals to receive the vaccination, only to receive regular updates about the availability and distribution of the vaccination. River Forest residents should click here to complete the survey.

COVID-19 Cases

Between Sunday, January 3, and Saturday, January 9, River Forest had 43 new positive cases; 377 tests were completed, resulting in a positivity rate of 11.4%. The week before, from Sunday, December 27, to Saturday, January 2, there were 28 new positive cases of COVID-19; 282 tests were completed, resulting in a positivity rate of 9.9%. The uptick in positive cases of COVID-19 could be related to gatherings over the holidays. For more on COVID-19 data, please read a previous COVID-19 Update by clicking here. We had one COVID-19-related death reported by the Cook County Medical Examiner on January 6, bringing our total to 3 since the pandemic began.

Positive cases and tests are reported by where you live, not where the test is taken. For example, students at Concordia and Dominican who live on campus and report a River Forest address as their home address will be included in River Forest numbers.

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.

COVID-19 Testing

Residents who have symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been exposed to confirmed cases of COVID-19 should quarantine and get tested. Residents are encouraged to contact their primary physicians to coordinate testing needs.

Local testing options in River Forest include:

CVS on the corner of North and Thatcher - Testing at CVS is by appointment only and is free to those who qualify after completing a COVID assessment. Appointments can be made online by clicking here.
Walgreens at 7251 Lake Street (Town Center) - Testing at Walgreens is by appointment only and is free to those who qualify, as well as with most insurance. Appointments can be made online by clicking here.
Midwest Express Clinic at 7343 Lake Street (in Town Center next to Panera). Midwest Express Clinic is testing all patients regardless of symptoms but the cost may vary depending on insurance; out-of-pocket, same-day pricing is $200. Individuals looking to schedule testing at Midwest Express Clinic must complete the online form here.

Other free, local, state-run COVID-19 testing sites are open to everyone regardless of symptoms or other criteria. No appointment, doctor referral or insurance is needed, and testing is free. Testing is crucial to identifying new cases and taking immediate action to prevent additional spread. The list of free, community-based testing sites is available by clicking here.

Shop River Forest

If you are able, please support local businesses. 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:

River Forest Health and Wellness is a physical therapy and chiropractic clinic located at 7353 Lake St. Their mission is to provide patient-centered care to reduce pain, restore function and properly educate their patients on the most successful ways to prevent injury and achieve their health-related goals. Clinic staff accomplishes this by using the most current evidence-based therapies, including chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy and massage. Click here to book your next appointment.
Anfora Wine Merchants: Owned by River Forest resident Adrian Weisell, Anfora Wine Merchants is an Italian-centric boutique wine shop and education center in Oak Park’s Pleasant District. Inspired by the enotecas found throughout Italy, Anfora compliments its retail services with dynamic by-the-glass programs and weekly wine classes. To create community around a shared love and curiosity of Italian wines, Anfora offers a yearly membership program and a wine of the month subscription.
Little Bits Workshop is a cozy and inspiring studio where people of all ages and abilities come to learn the fine craft of upcycling through traditional skills— altered art & clothing, embroidery, jewelry making, quilting, assemblage, knitting, crocheting, sewing, needle felting, book binding, paper crafts, collage, and watercolor. Check out their after-school workshops, camps, special events and classes to learn new skills and create fun crafts!

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,