River Forest Township
Senior News

February 2026

Hi everyone,

Here is your Township Senior News for February 2026, including our programming with the River Forest Public Library. If you have any questions, please respond to this email or call 708-366-2029 x 13. See below for a lot of great offerings at the Oak Park Township Senior and Disability Services location.

Township Programming at River Forest Civic Center (8020 Madison St.):

Tuesdays: 3:00-5:00 p.m.: Beginning Chess in room 202 (teacher available)

Thursdays: 1:00-3:00 p.m.: Mahjong in room 202 (teacher available)

Pickleball: Our next class will be February 25* (Wednesday) from 1:00- 3:00 p.m. (upcoming classes are March 20 and April 10). Learn more here. (please fill out the waiver and bring it to your first class) Reach out to Betsy at seniors@riverforesttownship.org to register. * Note: February’s date has changed (usually falls on a Friday)

Indoor Walking Track will be coming mornings in the Spring.

News from the Assessors Office: Tax Bills will be out in mid February with a due date of April 1. Learn more here. Also, the Senior Citizens Tax Deferral Program (a tax relief program that works like a loan) allows qualified seniors to defer up to $7,500/ tax year. Learn more here. See River Forest Township Assessor information here.

Other Township News:

Oak Park Township Senior Services offers programming for River Forest residents at their Senior Center at 130 S. Oak Park Ave. (ie. lunch, plarning, art classes, educational talks/workshops, line dancing). See Oak Park/River Forest Township January- March Newsletter here for the program calendar and more. (see page 8 for River Forest Township programming through March)

February 2- March 30 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.: A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls. Reduce your fall risk and improve your balance with A Matter of Balance hosted with Rush Hospital. For more information and to register call 708-725-9129 x 2. (130 S. Oak Park Ave.)

February 3- March 24 (Tuesdays) from 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.: Age Options and the Township present: Parenting A Second Time Around (PASTA): An 8-week series over zoom, designed for grandparents and relatives who have stepped into a parenting role and are seeking support, connection, tools and resources. To register, call Cynthia Ayala at 708-934-2229.

February 18 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.: Oak Park Township is going to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra rehearsal. Registration required. Call 708-725-9129 x2. (you can take the Senior Bus (although limited occupancy) or drive)

February 19 from 3:30- 5:00 p.m.: Winter Grief Workshop- Navigating Grief in the Heart of Winter at the Oak Park Township Senior and Disability Center (130 S. Oak Park Ave.). This is a free workshop. Reach out to Nicole Rea at nrea@oakparktownship.org with any questions.

North West Housing Partnership, our partner for the Home Repair and CAPABLE/ OAHMP programs, is able to help you age in place or stay in your home longer. Programs are for older adults of all income levels. Call (847) 969-0561 if you have small repairs that need to be done around your home or if you would like a home safety assessment.

Benefits and SHIP Counseling: See what benefits (i.e. RideFree Program, license plate discount, Medicaid and more) you may be eligible for by calling 708-383-8060. Ask to schedule an appointment with a Benefits Counselor. Appointments will take place at the Oak Park Township Senior Services office (130 S. Oak Park Ave.) or over the phone. Learn about the SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) here.

Oak Park and River Forest Township Senior Services is seeking volunteers for Meal Delivery. Contact Mercedes Nash, Nutrition Site Supervisor at 708- 383-8060 x 134 or mnash@oakparktownship.org to learn more. They are also looking for Money Management Volunteers. See money management brochure here. Call 708-383-8060.

Other Information:

Snow removal Services from the Village: If you are eligible for the Senior Freeze, fill out this form here or reach out to lmasella@vrf.us Also, here is a list of licensed snow removal companies from the village website here.

Free Tax Assistance for Seniors: Triton College's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is offering Free Tax Assistance (for households earning less than $69,000/year). Appointments can be made by calling 708-456-0300 x 3895 (locations: Triton College- River Grove, Melrose Park Public Library, Proviso Township Office-Hillside, Lagrange Public Library, Elmwood Park Public Library) (try x 3603 for more details)

For Tax Assistance in Forest Park, Call Brenda Powers at the Mohr Center at 708-771-7737 (an AARP sponsored Site) Appointments are going quickly.

River Forest Township Programming with River Forest Public Library: 

Programming is in the Barbara Hall Meeting Room at the Library (735 Lathrop Ave.), unless otherwise noted.
(No need to register, except for yoga and special events. Call the library at 708-366-5205 or register online.

See Calendar here.

February 1 from 2:00- 3:30 p.m.: Love Stories from History. Award-winning romantic comedy filmmaker Lorrisa Julianus shares true love stories from history.

February 2 from 10:00- 11:00 a.m.: Coffee Monday. Hines VA Dieticians will share healthy nutrition tips. Come and learn about how making smart food choices can enhance your health, boost your energy, and improve your overall well-being.

February 7 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.: Meditation Soundbath. Register here.

February 12 Craft and Chat has a waiting list! Call library to inquire. [Sign up early for April 9ths Craft and Chat-up to a month in advance]

February 20 from 1:00- 3:30 p.m.: Film Lover Fridays. This month’s movie is The Day the Earth Stood Still. Stay afterwards for a discussion with local film expert Jim Jacob.

February 21 from 2:00- 3:30 p.m.: The Black Chicago Renaissance. Celebrate Black History Month with a presentation by Africana Studies scholar Dr. Amira Millicent Davis.

Other Library Events:

February 4 and February 18 from 1:00- 2:30 p.m.: Great Decisions. Come talk about pressing international issues. Learn more here.

February 22 from 2:00 -4:30 p.m.: Global film Forum. This month’s film is The Broker (South Korea) See trailer here.

February 24 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.: Illinois Libraries present Still Afraid of the Dark: An Evening with R.L. Stine. Register here for this virtual event.

Note: The library also has book clubs if you are interested (as does Oak Park Township and the Lifelong Learning program through the Park District of Oak Park) Don't forget you can borrow a "hotspot" from your local library, so you can get access to wi-fi when needed. (i.e. if you are traveling or don't have wi-fi at home this will give you access). Call your library for more information.

Community Connect

If you want to hear about other events/programs happening outside of the River Forest Township programming, and/or if you want to share information about upcoming events in River Forest or surrounding communities, request for Community Connect Mail to be delivered to your in-box. This is also a great way to connect with others with similar interests. Click this link or email communityconnectmail@gmail.com. Please share this information with anyone you think may want to receive Community Connect.

Fraud/Scam Information

Be careful of scammers or people trying to take advantage of you, whether they call or come to your door, including utility scammers. If you have any concerns, call your local police department and the Illinois Attorney General's

Senior Citizen Consumer Fraud Helpline at 1-800-243-5377.

Frauds and Scams to watch out for: Click here.

See Crime Prevention Fraud/Scam Tips from the River Forest Police Department here.

Fraud tips from Byline Bank here.

Do not be embarrassed; we have all been there, so it is important to report and protect yourself.

Another resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360 a toll-free service available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Visit AARP's webpage here).

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) provides help with utility bills. If you have any concerns about your bills, call 1-800-669-5556; Call 1-855-433-2700 for a Free Home Energy Assessment: An Energy Advisor will do a walk-through of your home and provide you with products to make your home more efficient.

Call me with any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Betsy Burton Kelly

Senior Outreach Coordinator

River Forest Township

bkelly.rftownship@gmail.com

(708) 366-2029 x13

River Forest Township Senior Services