About
Civic Center Authority
Joint Statement from Cathy Adduci and Vanessa Druckman
Civic Center Transition Shows Value of Intergovernmental Cooperation
The River Forest Civic Center has played an important role in village life for more than three decades, providing a home for our beloved River Forest Community Center and other valued services. At its Monday, September 28 meeting, the Village Board joined the Civic Center Authority Board to ensure this public resource remains in the community for decades to come. Capping off months of discussion, the Village Board voted to approve the consolidation and transfer of the building’s ownership from the Civic Center Authority to the Village.
This action delivers a long-sought opportunity for the Civic Center to receive the extensive repair, improvement and long-term investment it deserves. But, this is about much more than just a building. River Forest families can now rest assured that the River Forest Community Center will continue to provide a safe and central space for its array of year-round children’s programs and special events. Seniors can continue to enjoy River Forest Township fitness and culture programming and board free transportation buses. Locally available resources can remain for neurodivergent people at CAYR Connection, and for our neighbors with intellectual and development differences at Opportunity Knocks. And all River Forest residents can continue to visit the Assessor’s office, receive notary services, and all the other services and benefits delivered daily by the River Forest Township at 8020 Madison Street.
Today, the Civic Center building suffers from years of deferred maintenance and repairs on a building constructed in 1955. The roof and HVAC system are deteriorating. Masonry repairs and tuckpointing are badly needed on a façade that has started to crumble in places. A 2019 building assessment estimated $3.4 million in improvements needed over 10 years.
These and other mounting needs were a growing source of concern for years by the Civic Center Authority Board, which (until its dissolution on Monday night upon the Village Board’s vote) was made up of the members of the Township Board. While the Authority received rental revenues, it did not have the authority to levy taxes or raise funds to address the necessary long term capital repairs. Village ownership provides the perfect solution. Under state law, it is the only River Forest taxing body that could assume the Civic Center Authority’s powers and duties. The Village is also able to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to cover the necessary renovations, which means they will not impact Village operating funds, nor will they require increasing property taxes.
With the transition now complete, the Village will honor all existing leases. Village staff will soon start discussions with tenants about stabilizing their leases through extensions that enable them to continue providing services from the Civic Center. The Village will also craft a capital improvement program to prioritize repairs, including community engagement and input as part of that process.
The Civic Center Authority and Village are proud to have partnered in this crucial first step to preserve an indispensable River Forest institution and the services it supports. With the Civic Center’s future now secured and its fiscal constraints lifted, we look forward to the development of a new long-term vision for its place in our community.
Cathy Adduci is president of the Village of River Forest. Vanessa Druckman is supervisor of River Forest Township and served on the Civic Center Authority Board ofManagers prior to its dissolution.
History of the River Forest Civic Center Authority
The River Forest Civic Center Authority (RFCCA), or officially River Forest Metropolitan Exposition, Auditorium and Office Building Authority, established in 1984, was the owner and manager of the building at 8020 Madison Street, River Forest.
The RFCCA was created so that River Forest could become eligible to obtain state funds for a new community facility. In 1989, RFCCA received a $1.9 million grant from the State of Illinois, plus $100,000 in contributions each from the River Forest Township and the Village of River Forest, to purchase and renovate the building.
The RFCCA had no authority to levy property taxes and property taxes were not used to support the building other than River Forest Township rent in the last 30 years.
The RFCCA Board approved two Resolutions to consolidate with the Village of River Forest effective September 29, 2026.
The River Forest Township will continue to be a tenant of 8020 Madison Street and will continue to provide assessor services, general and emergency assistance, as well as youth, senior, and mental health services to all River Forest residents.
The RFCCA Board of Managers meetings are Open Meetings subject to the same Public Comment Rules as the Township uses. See below on this web page for meeting agendas and minutes. The last scheduled meeting is a special meeting on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:30pm.
RFCCA meetings take place at the River Forest Civic Center Authority Building,
8020 Madison Street, Room 208, River Forest, IL 60305.
Meeting agendas are posted at least 48 hours in advance on this page in the below “Meeting Agendas” section, at the River Forest Civic Center Authority Building and the River Forest Public Library.
Board Meetings
Managers Phil Buta and Helene Connolly are the day-to-day (primary) managers for the RFCCA effective July 1, 2026. Separately, John Becvar has been designated to effectuate the transfer of RFCCA to the Village of River Forest effective September 29, 2026. David Bonner and Keith Strom serve on the Board as of summer 2026. Vanessa Druckman became an RFCCA manager on September 1, 2026.
Contact: Board@RiverForestTownship.org
Board of Managers
Mark Hosty, Secretary: Clerk@RiverForestTownship.org
Secretary Hosty is the FOIA and OMA designee for the River Forest Civic Center Authority for as long as the entity exists.