On Sept. 28 the River Forest Board of Trustees considered a takeover of the Civic Center Authority (RFCCA) and its building. The RFCCA, a non-taxing body, voted Aug. 4 to transfer itself to the village, a taxing body, to use village funds or Madison TIF tax dollars for capital improvements, or consider demolition. Notice of the RFCCA vote was buried in a link in its agenda under “New Business,” a rare move which skipped an initial notice to the public. The vote was rushed, held on a special meeting date during summer vacations, and should go to referendum because of the impact on the community.
The township’s elected board serves as RFCCA’s board of managers, chartered to serve River Forest and neighboring communities. Besides a state grant, the River Forest Community Center childcare group gave the largest contribution, omitted from RFCCA’s webpage of contributors. The park district didn’t donate. RFCCA hired two of the park district’s consultants, FGM Architects (FGMA), and Ancel Glink attorneys, where Chris Welch is “Of Counsel.”
This is Village President Adduci’s third attempt in 12 years to take over the Civic Center. The township met with Adduci on the status of the Civic Center building and with the village and park district on planning since at least July 2025. (1) Consolidation FAQs were jointly drafted by the RFCCA and the village. (2)
On July 9, FGMA estimated capital needs three times RFCCA’s prior estimates. In May 2025 minutes, John Becvar, stated the building needed several million over the next couple of years while board member Keith Strom said the building needed $5 million within 3-5 years, and that some of prior consultant Cadogan Clark’s deficiencies were speculative. FGMA said $13 to $15 million is needed in 0-5 years and $15 to $16.7 million total within 7+ years, much of it in management services, fees and allowances. FGMA also estimated demolition at $1.5 million and full renovation at $29 – $33 million. (3) Past Community Center Board President, George Vukotich, refuted the high capital costs. These estimates require rigorous review.
RFCCA raised Community Center rental rates 900%, effective July 2028 to push childcare supporters to a takeover. Jonathon Livingston, hired as Community Center Executive Director and a member of the District 200 Board of Education, could face a conflict of interest should TIF funds support the Civic Center instead of surpluses going to D200 and D90 schools.
A village takeover transfers the Civic Center to the village to levy taxes, spend TIF tax dollars, or demolish it using un-reviewed capital costs. What are the village’s plans? Where are plans for community services and building management? Will the township be taken over or consolidated with Oak Park’s? Secrecy fosters distrust. More time is needed to review, discuss and gain resident input.
Sources: (1) RF Township agenda, 7/15/25, p.3; (2) RFCCA minutes, 7/14/26, p.3; (3) Ibid., p. 2-3