Every year, since 2005, Wednesday Journal has named a Villager of the Year in River Forest. The tradition first began back in 1985, when the Journal first started, recognizing individuals in Oak Park who have made an impact. Here’s a list of the people we’ve recognized from River Forest.
2005 Frank Paris, River Forest village president
2006 Charles “Chuck” Biondo, River Forest village administrator
2007 Steve Hoke, River Forest village trustee
2008 Frank Paris, River Forest village president, and Steve Hoke, River Forest village trustee
2009 Frank Limon, River Forest chief of police
2010 John Rigas, River Forest village president
2011 John Rigas, River Forest village president
2012 Al Popowits, citizen activist
2013 Catherine Adduci, River Forest village president
2014 John Phelan, D200 board president
2015 Kristin Carlson Vogen, Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation president
2016 Dave Franek, former chair Historic Preservation Commission
2017 Donna Carroll, president of Dominican University
2018 Dr. Edward Condon, superintendent for River Forest School D90
2019 Dr. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, D200 superintendent
2020 River Forest residents, helpers and heroes
