We have lived in River Forest for the past 27 years, and in the last few decades we have seen many new families move in. Rick and Lisa Gillis are one of these families. Rick and Lisa are absolutely refreshing! They have taken our little corner of River Forest and started a grassroots organization called Keystone Triangle Neighborhood Association that stretches from Chicago Avenue to Division Street and includes Thatcher, Keystone, and Forest Avenues. Through this group that the Gillis’ created, they have truly invigorated our neighborhood and brought all of us together. We do fun things such as a yearly progressive dinner, and dare we say the largest block party in River Forest? The association also does serious work that includes looking out for neighbors in need, watching each others’ homes for crime, and most recently participating in a fundraiser for an injured police officer. The latter was spearheaded by Rick and Lisa.
Rick Gillis has been serving the needs of our whole community by his on-going service as a member of several River Forest village committees – the Traffic Control Task Force, the Traffic and Safety Committee, and currently as chair of the Task Force to Study Flooding Issues. His service on the traffic committee has resulted in many new initiatives to reduce speeding, as evidenced by the traffic trailer you see placed in various locations throughout the village, and new stop signs to reduce accidents and enable our children to safely cross busy streets.
Rick Gillis is currently running for River Forest village trustee. If Rick can do all this by serving on these committees, imagine what he can accomplish for River Forest as a trustee! While our village has grown and changed, the one thing that hasn’t is our village government. Many have tried and many are trying right now in spite of the ongoing difficulties. Leadership has become complacent and exclusive. We believe Rick Gillis is exactly what our whole village needs in a trustee.
On April 7 vote for change. Let’s bring in new and invigorating community members and toss out old established politics. Voting for Rick Gillis can help this happen.
Lois and Frank Catrambone
River Forest