A Special Message from Your River Forest Government Leaders

Posted March 26, 2020

Dear Village Residents:

Governor JB Pritzker has issued several executive orders that will require people to stay at home during our fight to stem the COVID-19 outbreak here in Illinois. The common-sense measures in the Governor’s Orders are based on the recommendation of the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and other medical and public health professionals. They are meant to protect you, your loved ones, and your neighbors, as well as the medical professionals and essential workers who are on the front lines.

The order includes the following mandates:

As a general rule, all residents are required to stay at home, except for permitted activities.

If you feel sick, STAY HOME, and contact your medical provider.
If your children feel sick, keep them at home and contact your medical provider.
If you are a senior with an underlying health condition, stay home and avoid others.
If you, or if anyone in your family, has traveled to any COVID-19 “hot-spots,” for instance, New York, New Orleans, or Florida, please self-quarantine for two weeks.
Maintain social distancing, staying 6 feet apart from one another.
Avoid any social gatherings.
All parks in the Village are CLOSED except for walking paths. ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES SUCH AS playgrounds, baseball fields, batting cages, tennis, paddle and pickleball courts are CLOSED until further notice. ALL school fields and lots (D90, D200, Fenwick, Concordia Track, Dominican soccer field) are CLOSED.

Read more guidelines here.

We cannot stress enough the importance of these regulations as we fight this virus. Over the last several days, many residents have been taking advantage of the warm weather and engaging in activities outside. While there are many residents who have been following the guidelines, many have not.

Here are some of the activities that we discourage people from engaging in:

Children and young adults clustered together playing sports or hanging out in the neighborhood.
Play dates on blocks where children have been in close contact with one another.
Any social gathering at homes except for family members.

This is what you and your family can do:

Families can go outside, take a bike ride, walk your dog, or just take a walk but must continue to practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from other people.
Do essential activities such as grocery shopping, get gas, go to medical appointments, pharmacies, etc. For more information on what are considered essential activities click here.

In these unprecedented times, we must take unprecedented action and it starts with each of us. As your Village leaders, we are asking you to rethink your actions in light of the Governor’s order and make every effort to comply. We understand the urge to go outside and engage with your friends and neighbors in our community. Public health officials are insisting that if we adhere to social distancing - stay 6 feet apart from each other - we can slow the spread of the virus to your neighbors and loved ones.

If you are an older adult and are in need of assistance, please visit https://oakparktownship.org/senior-services/ or call the Township Senior Service line at 708-383-8060.

For complete information about school, park, library, and community at large closures, please visit our websites below.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Cathy Adduci
Village President
Village of River Forest

Rich Moore
Board President
River Forest Public Schools District 90

Jackie Moore
Board President
Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200

Ross Roloff
Board President
River Forest Park District

Tom Smedinghoff
Board President
River Forest Public Library

Carla Sloan
Supervisor
River Forest Township

Village of River Forest
https://www.vrf.us/coronavirus

River Forest School District 90
https://www.district90.org/

River Forest Park District
https://rfparks.com/news/covid-19

River Forest Public Library
https://www.riverforestlibrary.org/