from the mayor

Because Their Dreams Matter

JUNE 12th

MAYOR’S YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP GOLF OUTING

The Mayor’s annual Youth Scholarship Golf Outing will be held on Monday, June 12 at Riverside Golf Club. Proceeds from the event go to the North Riverside Youth Program and Educational Scholarship Fund, Inc. The Fund provides resident students with financial assistance in their pursuit of higher education as well as opportunities for young residents to enroll and participate in various recreational activities and programs. For more information about attending the outing or supporting the Fund, call 708/442-5515.

“COFFEE” DATES

Stop in at the Commons and chat with the Mayor, Trustees and Village staff about anything on your mind! Starting at 10 am on these remaining dates:

July 15

October 21

We’re persistent about progress: Need proof? It’s all right here

Going after grants. We have made going after grant money for projects identified on our long-term replacement plan a top priority. Even if we don’t succeed the first time, it doesn’t stop us from re-applying. Grant funding is not only about getting things done that we want and need to accomplish but it also covers some of the cost of major initiatives, taking tremendous pressure off of our budget.

Grant funds awarded:

1)The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Green Infrastructure Project. MWRD will fund $1.7 million of this large-scale project, expected to total $2.2 million. While construction will disrupt some events and parking over the summer months, the end result will be revolutionary permeable pavers arranged to better manage stormwater, thereby reducing the load to the sewer system, mitigating flooding and improving area water quality. The project is expected to begin at the Commons parking lot in early July and extend to other parts of the Village campus. Upon completion, Commons parking will also be redesigned to improve traffic flow and provide a much-needed pick-up/drop-off zone at the rear entrance of the Commons.

2) Our lobbying efforts are paying off as well. We would like to recognize Illinois State Senator/Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, State Senator Mike Porfirio and State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid as they have made $900,000 in state grants possible. Thank you for investing in North Riverside and working with us on our strong and vibrant community. If it’s essential to the betterment of our community, we will never give up.

Grants currently applied for:

1) The Cook County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) Climate Resiliency Planning for Communities Project. This program is designed to identify and help communities prepare for climate-related events and prevent damage and losses in communities that are most vulnerable. The goal of the grant is to maintain the well-being and health of residents through transforming infrastructure, implementing nature-based solutions and ensuring social structures are adaptable. These funds would further our focus on green initiatives.

2) The SAFER grant. FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant would allow us to hire 6 new firefighter/paramedics to staff our in-house paramedic program, paying their salaries and benefits over three years. Hopefully, the third time is a charm—this grant is worth nearly $2 million.

3) EV Charging Stations. Electric vehicles (EV) are here to stay and we won’t be left behind. This grant would provide two Level 2 (240 volt) charging stations near the Community Room entrance of the Commons where vehicle owners can recharge.

Thank you. We couldn’t let the retirement of H. Bob Demopoulos happen without a collective “thank you” for his service over the past 12 years. The Board and I honored Bob, the current Board’s longest-serving Trustee, with a plaque at the April 17th Board meeting. I would also like to recognize Marybelle Mandel, whose term has ended, for her service the past four years.

Mayor Joseph Mengoni

100 Years

1923-2023 Celebrate with us

July 30, 2023 marks the 100th year of North Riverside’s incorporation as a Village. Watch for details on these upcoming events and join us in celebrating a century of progress!

• Join us for a Community celebration on July 30th, our 100th birthday

• Don’t miss the Gala at Riverside Golf Club on October 20th

• Experience the timeline to be displayed in the Commons lobby

• Purchase commemorative items for sale

• Attend the North Riverside Players celebration performance

• Join us in digging up old time capsules and burying a new one

Details coming

Follow the Village’s official Facebook pages and check the website www.northriverside-il.org