The state of River Forest is “very strong,” Village President Cathy Adduci said in her annual State of the Village address delivered Feb. 24, adding that she is “excited about our future and the many initiatives we are about to embark on.”
Echoing comments made in last year’s address, she said her emphasis will continue to center around safety and security, quality-of-life improvements to strengthen the village’s property values and “taking all steps possible” to stabilize property taxes.
A short-handed village board was present to hear Adduci’s address. Trustees Katie Brennan and Bob O’Connell were out of town and Trustee Erika Bachner wasn’t able to attend.
Trustees Lisa Gillis and Respicio Vazquez, who were in attendance, were generally supportive of Adduci’s assessment. Overall, Vazquez said he “wholeheartedly concurred” with Adduci’s view, and Gillis said, “We’re in really good shape,” adding that things we’ll have to address” include economic development and traffic safety.
However, Gillis also acknowledged the presence of divisiveness in the village but credited Adduci for “trying to bring people together.”
Referring to her “great team,” Adduci thanked the “dedicated group of resident volunteers” who serve on the village’s advisory committees and commissions as well as members of the Village Board.
“Their commitment and input are extremely valuable, and we should all be grateful for their service,” she said.
Here are some of the highlights of the speech:
· Adduci expressed hope for future economic development on Madison Street and at Lake and Lathrop, pointing to the hiring of “a large real estate brokerage firm” to assist with developing the village-owned property on Madison between Lathrop and Ashland avenues and a recent court decision regarding the stalled development at Lake and Lathrop. Regarding Lake and Lathrop, Adduci said, “We are committed to moving this project along and are working with Wintrust Bank and its receiver to find a suitable solution.”
· Noting that protecting the community is “a paramount and consistent village goal,” Adduci thanked Police Chief Jim O’Shea and Fire Chief Tom Gaertner for their leadership. She cited the police department’s ongoing quarterly safety meetings and the fire department’s partnership with Concordia University as examples.
· Related to safety, she pointed to the efforts by members of the Public Works Department to upgrade sidewalks and intersections and installing over 90 stop signs and blinking signs as recommended by the Safe Walking Routes to School program.
· Adduci also cited improved communication with residents ranging from the Neighborhood Dialogues and Casual Conversations programs to the recently implemented customer service platform and WaterSmart portal. “Our communication to and with the community have expanded to different platforms and overall engagement,” she said, noting more e-newsletter subscribers and increased activity on the village’s social media pages.
· Looking ahead, Adduci said planning for the future begins with finances, citing a balanced budget for 12 consecutive years. “In addition to our property tax and sales tax revenue to fund operations, we continue to pursue grants and other state funding partnerships,” she said, including those with Illinois legislative leaders Emanuel “Chris” Welch, speaker of the House of Representatives, and Don Harmon, Senate president.
· Ongoing programs include those aiming to eliminate accidents involving pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles. Public works staff members have applied a traffic calming toolbox recommended by the village-wide traffic study and aligned with the national Vision Zero campaign to slow traffic on Washington Boulevard with similar projects planned along Lake Street and Thatcher Avenue.
· Adduci pointed to a partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago that led to the village’s Climate Action Plan and expansion of the public electric charging stations. She said she anticipates presenting restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers, reviewing tree preservation regulations and growing participation in composting.
· Other programs include providing financial assistance with the cost of replacing lead service lines; increased programs benefitting senior citizens; and supporting efforts toward diversity, equity and inclusion.
Trustee Vazquez summed up his reaction this way: “I am proud of the accomplishments that the village attained in 2024 and I am optimistic about reaching our goals and initiatives for the coming year, 2025 thank the village president, my fellow village trustees, and our collective village commissions for their efforts in making our village consistently financially strong, safe, sound and overall enjoyable. Most of all, I thank our residents for their input and support. It is with our collective interests in making our village a wonderful place to live.”