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

February, 11, 2021

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

February 11, 2021

Dear River Forest Residents,

COVID-19 Vaccine

The Village will continue to share all vaccine distribution information with residents as we receive it from the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). For more information, please reference the updates I provided in past Special E-News editions by clicking here.

Triton College is now open as a large-scale vaccination site, operated by Cook County. Vaccinations at all Cook County Health sites, including Triton, are provided by appointment only. Appointments can be made at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov. Individuals without internet access or who need assistance scheduling can call (833) 308-1988 (from 7am to 7pm, Monday - Friday).

COVID-19 vaccinations continue to be distributed to people in Phases 1a and 1b. The distribution of vaccinations is being done in a phased approach based on vaccine availability, using guidance from local, state, and national public health authorities.

Please be aware that currently there are far more people eligible to get the vaccine than there are available vaccine doses. More than three million people in Illinois are now eligible for the vaccine, and the state's weekly shipment has been fewer than 100,000 doses in past weeks. Your patience over the next few weeks is greatly appreciated. Vaccine distribution sites and appointments will increase as available doses increase.

There are currently four channels to receive the vaccination:

Health Care Providers - Your primary care provider, health clinic, or hospital where you have gotten medical care in the past
Pharmacies - Such as some Jewel, Walgreens, Walmart, and Mariano's pharmacies
Dedicated Vaccination Sites - See the State of Illinois map
Employers - Your employer should be reaching out to you if/when available

According to officials at CCDPH, residents that sign up through the portal and who are eligible to receive the vaccine, will receive email notifications about appointments that are available at sites nearest to them. Residents are also encouraged to check back on the County website (using the link provided in the confirmation email) to check for available appointments at other County facilities, including Triton College, or with their private partners such as Jewel or Walgreens in River Forest.

If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, 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 during business hours, Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm.

Both the IDPH and CCDPH have provided portals containing vaccination data to monitor progress of the vaccine administration.

Illinois Department of Public Health Vaccine Data
Cook County Department of Public Health Vaccine Data (click “Vaccine Data”)

COVID-19 Cases

Between Sunday, January 31, and Saturday, February 6, River Forest had 15 new positive cases; 354 tests were completed, resulting in a positivity rate of 4.2%. The week before, from Sunday, January 24, to Saturday, January 30, there were 18 new positive cases of COVID-19; 356 tests were completed, resulting in a positivity rate of 5.1%. 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 “Data by Town”)
Enigma Forensics (utilizing data from the IDPH and tracking it day-by-day)

For information on COVID-19 restrictions, testing locations, and more, visit vrf.us/Virus.

RFPD Presents the Adoption of Shared Principles

At our Village Board of Trustees Meeting earlier this week, the River Forest Police Department presented on its adoption of Ten Shared Principles between the NAACP and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Click here to read the Principles and here to view the presentation.

Oak Park and River Forest Township Senior Services Ready to Help

If you are an older adult, a family member of an older adult, or a caregiver of an older adult in River Forest or Oak Park and have any questions about care or services or just do not know where to start - call Oak Park and River Forest Township Senior Services at 708-383-8060. If you are concerned about an older adult outside of the immediate area or in another state, you can call 800-677-1116 or visit healthconnectionhub.org to get contact information about the local senior services in that person's area.

DFRF Website Live

Dementia Friendly River Forest (DFRF) is a group led by Co-Chairs Dr. Lydia Manning, Ph.D. and Helen Kwan, MSW. Lydia is a gerontologist, Helen is a lobbyist, and both are residents of River Forest. DFRF works to train local businesses, families, and organizations in Dementia-Friendly practices, which helps make services more accessible to people with Dementia and their caretakers. Visit the new website www.DementiaFriendlyRiverForest.org for resources, more information, to learn how to certify your business or organization as Dementia Friendly, and to volunteer with the team.

Wabi Sabi Film Festival

The Wabi Sabi Film Festival will be hosting a free screening of Duty Free tomorrow, Friday, February 12 at 10am. Director Sian-Pierre Regis will join after the screening for a Q&A and discussion. Click here for more information and to register.

River Forest Supper Club

A second winter series of the River Forest Supper Club is available for purchase now! The One Off Hospitality Group will be offering its fully prepared family meals from: Publican Quality Meats on 2/25, avec on 3/4, and Big Star on 3/11. Meal pick-up will be on those dates between 4:00 - 6:00PM at the River Forest Public Works Garage (45 Forest Ave). Click here for more information and to purchase a subscription to enjoy meals from these award-winning restaurants!

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:

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.
Valenti Tailors & Cleaners and LV Shoe Repair are open and ready to help you at 7623 Lake Street. LV Shoe Repair (708-488-0909) can help with shoes, boots, sandals, purses, backpacks, suitcases, chairs, sofas, car seats and more. Valenti Tailors & Cleaners (708-771-8535) is available for alterations and cleaning for men and women’s clothing.

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,