Citing positive response from community members who have already participated, River Forest officials are expanding the reach of their neighborhood dialogues.
When the program was announced in August, officials were targeting the south end of the village, specifically in the Madison Street and Lake Street corridors. Now, they are inviting residents from all areas of the village to participate.
Under the program, village residents agree to host small group conversations that would include 10 to 15 of their neighbors in their homes.
Village Administrator Matt Walsh said four sessions have been held with one more scheduled. He said officials are hoping to schedule three more.
In a social media post, officials said discussions have centered around economic development, restaurant recommendations, traffic, parking and landscaping.
Walsh said more than 40 residents participated in the first four sessions, with as few as five participants attending to as many as 16. Two of the sessions were held in residents’ homes. One was held at the Community Center and another in a resident-owned business.
He said participants have expressed a desire to see “something they can use and enjoy” in the village.
“They have suggested a wide range of things,” Walsh said. “Something local and walkable such as a restaurant or coffee shop.”
Leading the project is Rick Jasculca, owner of Chicago-based JT Strategic Communications, a public affairs firm. Jascula has lived in the village for almost 50 years and has done work for the village in the past.
“We wanted to start with a blank slate,” Walsh said. “We wanted to hear general sentiments from residents and we wanted a good sample size of opinions.”
Participants’ length of residency in the village range from newcomers who just moved in last year to some who have lived in River Forest for decades.
“I’m happy to say it’s been a pretty good mix of folks,” Walsh said. “I’ve been very pleased with that.”
He said officials are hoping to wrap up the program by the end of October, noting that people are busier when they get close to the holidays.
Walsh said Jasculca will submit a report to officials “hopefully by the holidays.” He said the report will “include notes, offer recommendations and identify trends,” which will help identify the next steps.
Walsh and Jessica Spencer, assistant village administrator, have been attending the dialogues, but elected officials have not.
Residents interested in hosting or attending a session are asked to contact Walsh by email at mwalsh@vrf.us or Spencer at jspencer@vrf.us.