River Forest Township Board to appoint John Becvar as new Supervisor

After 11 years as River Forest Township Supervisor, Carla Sloan is resigning from office next month. Her successor will be John Becvar, who has served for the past year as Township Clerk.

Becvar’s transition mirrors the path that Sloan took in 2013, when she became Supervisor after more than three years as Township Clerk.

“Since moving into our community, John has jumped in with both feet,” Sloan said. “He is committed to service, including the importance of delivering quality human services. He’s also done an exemplary job as Clerk and will be a wonderful Supervisor.”

The developments were announced at the March 19 meeting of the River Forest Township Board of Trustees. At its May 21 meeting, the board is scheduled to vote on Sloan’s departure and Becvar’s appointment.

Becvar lived in Chicago for over 20 years before moving with his husband in May 2021 to River Forest. He intends to run for a full four-year term in April 2025. Meantime, one of his top goals is to heighten awareness of Township services. A semi-retired former executive of Groupon, his wide-ranging corporate career includes leading large marketing and communications initiatives.

“I want to get people involved at any level, whether it’s volunteering on a project, being on one of our committees or serving as a clerk,” Becvar noted. “I’ve always had this drive to give back.”

Sloan’s focus as Supervisor has been to “put the Township on the map,” ensuring that residents know about the many human services provided and funded by the Township. Sloan emphasized that Township programs are delivered efficiently and without duplication, with the Township costing residents just 1% of their property tax bill.

“Our strategies have prioritized people, programs, and partnerships. Those wonderful community partnerships have enabled us to offer so much while managing costs effectively,” said Sloan.

Sloan’s resignation will enable her to spend more time with family, which includes four adult children and soon-to-be two grandchildren. “I look forward to retirement but will miss the dedicated and passionate people with whom I have worked in human services,” she added.

Sloan’s eldest child has autism and extended family members have dealt with mental health issues, giving her a personal insight into other families’ social service needs.

Just as Sloan’s engagement with the Township flowed out of her own personal experience, Becvar said his late mother’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease gave him a heightened sensitivity to the importance of raising awareness of Township services.

“My mom grew up in River Forest, so it means so much to me to be back here. I also know what it feels like to not necessarily have a network,” he said. “My mom had dementia for several years and eventually was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. We didn’t know who to turn to and didn’t know what resources were out there at first. My mission is to communicate more.”

As Clerk, Becvar’s accomplishments have included creating the Township’s policy handbook and helping with the Township’s Decennial Committee Efficiency Report. He also helped lead work on the new River Forest Township website.

Though new to serving as a public official this past year, Becvar has been actively involved in local government and community organizations for over 20 years. While living on Chicago’s North Side, he served as president of his neighborhood association, where he played a leading role in raising $1.5 million to acquire and build a community garden park.

Locally, Becvar serves as Co-Chair of the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA+). He also helps promote the LemonAid fundraiser, which occurs on his block on Bonnie Brae Place.

River Forest Township funds dozens of agencies and programs related to older adults, youth, mental health, developmental disabilities, and financial assistance, plus the Assessor’s Office. The Township has six part-time employees at its offices, located on the second floor of the River Forest Community Center, 8020 Madison St.

Among the Township’s achievements under Sloan’s leadership: a strengthened partnership with Oak Park Township in delivering youth, senior and financial services; expanded mental health and senior programming in River Forest; enhanced collaboration with local taxing bodies and universities; improved communication and visibility for the Township and its services; solidified relationships with local and state leaders, including Illinois Speaker of the House Chris Welch, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon; and awards for a wide range of initiatives, including a genealogy education program and its collaborative work with Oak Park Township.

River Forest Township is seeking applicants for Clerk, which is a part-time paid position. The job description is at www.riverforesttownship.org/employment-and-volunteer. Anyone with questions or interest should contact John Becvar at clerk@riverforesttownship.org.