River Forest Township

01/30/2023

If you know a graduating high school student who is interested in exploring this scholarship, please help spread the word! Seven scholarships were awarded last year!

Big News! Township Officials of Illinois announces 2023 Scholarship Applications are now open. Seven $2,000 Scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors this year. Applications due March 1, 2023. For a link to the TOI homepage or to download an application, visit:
https://oakparktownship.org/2023/01/toi-2023-scholarship-application-is-open/

01/26/2023

On Thursday, Feb. 9th -- let’s have an important community conversation about youths & ma*****na use prevention! Learn from the experts, ask questions & discuss this topic with other parents.

All River Forest & Oak Park residents are welcome. Pre-registration is not required.

01/20/2023

Do you want to communicate more effectively with your family? Be less stressed at home? Get along better with each other?

Join Strengthening Families, an 11-week skill-building class for the whole family. Tuesdays, 1/24-3/28, 6-8 pm.

Open to River Forest & Oak Park families with children ages 7-17, free of charge. Dinner provided; zoom or in-person TBD. Yes, it’s a commitment, but it’s worth the time and effort!

Call 708.410.0615 for more info or to register. Services provided by Ascension Illinois. Sponsored by the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township.

01/18/2023

Important, powerful truths here -- take a look at, and embrace, the "try this" suggestions instead of what has often been steeped in our language over the years.

"Language is powerful, and your choice of words can either break down misconceptions and stereotypes or feed into them. Stigmatizing language – such as “crazy” — perpetuates negative perceptions, which can result in people to be excluded from jobs, housing, social activities and relationships. Additionally, people may begin to believe the negative things that others say about them, delaying them on their recovery journey." - Mental Health First Aid USA

01/16/2023

On Thursday, February 9th -- let’s have an important community conversation about youths & ma*****na use prevention! Learn from the experts, ask questions & discuss this topic with other parents.

All River Forest & Oak Park residents are welcome. Pre-registration is not required.

01/13/2023

Here's a convenient, secure way to discard unused and unwanted prescription medications -- at Oak Park Township.

01/10/2023

FRED next meets in-person on Tuesday, Jan. 17, noon-1:30 pm at the River Forest Public Library.

If you are the parent or caregiver of a child, teen or young adult with mental health issues, consider attending a FRED meeting.

Email [email protected] for more info or to request an invitation to join

01/10/2023

Registration is now open for singers 55+ for the popular OPRF Sounds Good Choir, conducted by Linda Crabtree Powell.

Rehearsals for the 15-week session begin on January 31 at the 19th Century Club in Oak Park. Rehearsals Tuesdays, 9-10:30 am. No audition. Registration fee; scholarships available through River Forest Township.

The Spring program is Saturday, May 6, at 4 pm, at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Oak Park.

Register at www.soundsgoodchoir.org. Questions? Contact the conductor at [email protected].

01/07/2023

Jazzercise is back in-person at the River Forest Community Center!

It’s a wonderful workout for seniors…and everyone. Adapt the routines to low-impact…or crank it up to high! Chase those winter blues away while sharing your exercise experience with others.

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:45 pm, Saturdays at 10:30 am. Come try a class. To sign up or for more info, contact Susan Draus at [email protected] or 630-240-8191.

01/04/2023

This coming Saturday is the first session of Sibshops for 2023 -- help us spread the words to families with 1st- to 7th graders who are siblings of those with special needs.

Thank you to Thrive Counseling Center (THRIVE) for its outstanding work. To register: visit https://www.thrivecc.org/services/group-services/.

Sibshops begins Saturday January 7 at Thrive Counseling Center. Sibshops is for siblings in grades 1 – 7. To register, visit https://www.thrivecc.org/services/group-services/. We are grateful for the support of the Oak Park and River Forest Townships for helping make this possible.

01/03/2023

From a listing of other local government bodies to social service agencies to other area organizations, our Community Links page is a key go-to spot to connect you with a wide spectrum of day-to-day needs:

https://riverforesttownship.org/comlinks.asp

12/31/2022

Farewell to 2022 & Hello, 2023!

Happy New Year, everyone--and as always, we remain committed to helping play a role in fostering peace, joy and good health (in all its forms) in the coming year.

12/29/2022

On Saturday, Jan. 14th, partake in a Meditation Soundbath, led by Rhonda Fentry at the River Forest Public Library. Registration is required -- here's the link:

https://riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com/event/meditation-soundbath-3

12/25/2022

Hope…the best gift we can give to others. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all, from River Forest Township! May this season of hope, peace and joy be yours throughout the coming year.

12/24/2022

Starting Wednesday, Jan. 4th, Housing Forward will re-open the overnight emergency shelter at St. Catherine/St. Lucy rectory, in partnership with St. Catherine/Lucy-St. Giles Parish.

Hours are 7 pm-6:30 am: 15 beds, showers, hot dinner, breakfast and a to-go sack lunch provided.

Volunteers are needed--please contact Cherrell Jackson at [email protected].

12/22/2022

On Sunday, January 15th, hosts of "If The Walls Could Talk" share the tangled history of this prominent Chicago hospital. Registration is required -- call the library at 708-366-5205 or visit its events calendar to secure your spot!

12/15/2022

This Saturday, Dec. 17th, it's the Kiwanis Club of River Forest & Oak Park's "Light Up the Night"

Get your $10 kit on the porch @ 1043 Keystone Ave. Drop your cash or check (payable to the Kiwanis Club) thru the mail slot. Each kit contains 10 white paper bags, 10 plain wax candles, sand, instructions & tips. Proceeds benefit local youth.

12/12/2022

Interested in contracting with Oak Park and River Forest Township in social emotional learning, community and civic awareness, social justice, or career/future planning?

If so, then visit the Youth Services page: https://oakparktownship.org/youth-services/

Oak Park Township Youth and Family Services Contract applications for Fiscal Year 2024 (April 1st, 2023 - March 31st, 2024) are being accepted now. If you are interested in contracting with the Township in one of the following areas - social emotional learning, community and civic awareness, social justice, or career/future planning - please visit the Youth Services page: https://oakparktownship.org/youth-services/. Scroll down for contracting information. Or contact Jacob Matson in the Township offices.

12/06/2022

River Forest Township is seeking a River Forest resident to fill a vacancy on the volunteer River Forest Township Mental Health Committee (MHC).

The MHC provides input to developing and funding local programming in support of mental health and those with developmental disabilities.

Experience in the mental health or disabilities field is a plus but not required. The MHC meets in-person the first Tuesday of most months at 6:30 pm.

If interested, please email Sarah Schwarting, Mental Health Administrator, at [email protected].

12/05/2022

We are grateful for the ongoing communication provided by the Village of River Forest. The most recent example: this month's newsletter, with a message from Village President Catherine Adduci & other news from around the community & Village Hall:
https://conta.cc/3AZR46b

12/01/2022

What do you think about underage alcohol and substance use in Oak Park and River Forest?

Let Positive Youth Development -- working to help youth & young adults make healthy, alcohol/drug-free choices -- know by taking this survey: https://tinyurl.com/PYDSurvey2022

If you live in Oak Park and River Forest, we need your help! Our prevention work is a data driven process and survey’s and focus group's guide our communication campaigns. We are looking for community members to complete our community survey and get your opinion on youth substance use in our area. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc81x1xT97QP_6Qaa1b927ZrKQZG8geb1FL6DJxtPtSSD-y6g/viewform?fbclid=PAAaZlURyzUt7k55DTqd-TeJU51gml4BDn6-uOWG8_Nqba2_AZwjS-fdEJI5E
📋✅🗣️

11/29/2022

Giving blood can save lives!

The Rotary Club of Oak Park-River Forest is partnering with Trinity High School to sponsor a blood drive on Wednesday, November 30, noon-6 pm, at Trinity High School’s Athletic Center, 7574 Division St, River Forest.

Please consider making this valuable donation. To register, visit www.trinityhs.org/blooddrive. Thank you!

11/29/2022

2nd installment property tax bills are now available online at www.cookcountytreasurer.com.

Bills are due December 30, 2022. Taxpayers can view, printout and pay their bills online. Check to ensure that exemptions to which you are entitled are listed on the bill.

If you are missing an exemption, please contact the Township Assessor @ [email protected] or 708.366.2787.

11/24/2022

Happy Thanksgiving to all from River Forest Township! Gathering, gratitude, giving thanks…wishing everyone an enjoyable and restful holiday.

11/23/2022

Holiday Food and Gift Basket needs sponsors (donors) for this year’s holiday gift sharing program! Angie Seder, HFGB Director, reports that there are still families and individuals in need who have not yet been matched with a sponsor. HFGB will match sponsors with recipients and their “wish list”, and the rest is magic. To participate or for more info, please email Angie Seder ASAP at [email protected]. Thank you!

11/23/2022

The holidays can be especially challenging for those who've experienced a loss. Starting next Thursday, Dec. 1st, via Zoom, support groups offer the opportunity to share your feelings with others who understand what you're going through.

The holidays can be especially challenging for those who've experienced a loss. Support groups offer the opportunity to share your feelings with others who understand what you're going through.

11/17/2022

Congratulations to Oak Park & River Forest Township Youth Services’ Dominique Hickman, who won the Staff of the Year award from AITCOY, the state youth association.

Dominique, pictured at left with TASC Care Coordinator Candice Martin, leads the Girls on the Rise program in the OP & RF middle schools. Oak Park Township Manager Gavin Morgan accepted the award on her behalf at the Townships of Illinois (TOI) annual conference in Springfield.

11/16/2022

2021 Second Installment Property Tax bills payable in 2022 have been posted to the Cook County Treasurer's Office website, www.cookcountytreasurer.com.

Taxpayers are able to view, pay and print out a copy of their property tax bills. The Cook County Treasurer anticipates mailing the paper bills in late November. The Second Installment is due December 30, 2022.

This tax bill includes property tax exemptions calculated by the Cook County Assessor's Office and local tax rates calculated by the Cook County Clerk. Please review your bill to ensure your exemptions are correctly posted.

If you do not see your exemptions, please contact the River Forest Township Assessor's office: [email protected] or 708.366.2787.

11/16/2022

Congratulations to Pat Koko, Oak Park resident and OP & RF senior volunteer extraordinaire!

Pat received the Volunteer of the Year award from ITASCSC, the statewide senior association, yesterday at the Townships of Illinois (TOI) annual conference in Springfield. Pat started volunteering to help seniors in 1972 and is still going strong.