River Forest Township
Senior News

December 2025

Hi everyone,

Here is our Township Senior News for December 2025, 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.

A while ago I sent a survey asking people about programming at River Forest Civic Center. We now have more days and times available and ask you to please take this new survey.

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

Tuesdays: 3:00-5:00 p.m.: Beginning Chess in room 202 (no chess on 12/30)

Thursdays: 1:00-3:00 p.m.: Mahjong in room 202 (no Mahjong on 12/25 and 1/1)

Select Fridays: Pickleball - Our next class will be on December 12 from 1:00- 3:00 p.m. (upcoming classes will be January 23, February 27, March 20 and April 10). Learn more here. Please reach out to Betsy at seniors@riverforesttownship.org to register.

Dominoes and Zumba are on hold until we can find instructors. (If you are skilled at Dominoes and are willing to help teach new players, please reach out to me.)

If there is other programming you would like to see the township provide, please fill out above questionnaire.

Other Township News:

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. Remember Medicare open enrollment goes through December 7 if you need to make any changes to your plan and prescription drug coverage.

Oak Park Township Senior Services offers programming for River Forest residents at the Senior Center at 130 S. Oak Park Ave. See their calendar online here. (ie. plarning, art classes, educational talks/workshops, line dancing). Call the activities hotline at (708) 725-9129 to check availability and to register. See the Oak Park/River Forest Township November/December Newsletter here for the program calendar and more.

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.

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 Useful 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.

River Forest Township Programming with River Forest Public Library: 

Programming is in person 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 where you must register online or call the library at 708-366-5205) See Calendar here.

December 7 from 2:00-3:30 pm: Winter Legends and Lore. Join paranormal researcher Chad Lewis to hear strange tales that have taken place in the winter.

December 13 from 2:00- 3:00 p.m.: All Levels Yoga. Register here.

December 19 from 1:00-3:30 p.m.: Film Lover Fridays with film expert Jim Jacob. The Movie will be The Front Page with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Come for the movie, stay for the discussion.

Craft and Chat is full for December. If you are interested in February’s Craft and Chat, remember to sign up as soon as registration opens in January (just about one month before)

Note: The library also has book clubs if you are interested (as does Oak Park Township as well as 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 you want to share information about upcoming events in River Forest and surrounding communities, request 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 and 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.

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