708-366-2323 - contact@forestpark.net

Thank you!

The Village of Forest Park staff and officials would like to recognize and thank Steve Glinke for an incredible 40 years of dedicated service to our community. August 1st marked four decades since Steve first began serving the residents of Forest Park, starting his career as an EMT and firefighter with the Forest Park Fire Department. Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become fire chief, a role in which he not only led with 16 years of professionalism and care but also took on additional responsibilities as the director of the Building Department. Although he has since retired as fire chief, Steve continues to serve the village with the same dedication and commitment that has defined his entire career. We are truly fortunate to have someone of his caliber continuing to contribute to the well-being and progress of Forest Park. His commitment to public service is an inspiration, and we thank him for all he has done—and continues to do—for our village.

Pictured above: Deputy Chief Bob McDermott (left) with Fire Chief Steve Glinke. Bob succeeded Steve as fire chief after years of working together.

News From the Village Administrator's Office

Coming this fall: a fresh new look for our village newsletter! We’re making some updates to improve both the design and content. Stay tuned—we’re excited to share it with you!

This week, Mayor Hoskins and I had the opportunity to meet with Interim D91 Superintendent Robert Hubbird. Formerly the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Mr. Hubbird will now also serve as the District’s Interim Superintendent and Chief School Business Official. It was a great opportunity to share ideas and address concerns as we continue to strengthen collaboration between village staff, the Forest Park Police Department, and School District 91. Together, we’re working to ensure a safe, successful, and supportive school year for all students and families.

Also this week, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) hosted a webinar to present the 2025 Travel Information Action Plan—a three-year roadmap designed to improve how transit information is communicated across the Chicago region. The plan lays out both immediate and long-term steps that CTA, Metra, Pace, and the RTA will take to make public transportation more user-friendly and accessible. Improving public transit is critical for Forest Park residents, and Village officials continue to advocate for better service and infrastructure at both the local and state level.

You can learn more about the 2025 Travel Information Action Plan here.

We look forward to continuing our work to make Forest Park a vibrant, connected, and welcoming place for all.

Rachell Entler

Village Administrator

Village Council News

The Village Council invites all residents to attend a special public meeting on Monday, August 25 at 5:00 PM at Village Hall to discuss the future use of the Altenheim property. This meeting—scheduled ahead of the regular 7:00 PM Council Meeting—is an important opportunity for community members to hear about potential plans as the Village Council considers how the property will be used. 

The Council is committed to transparency and due diligence as it carefully considers the best possible use of this significant property. Whether you attend in person or join via Zoom, your voice matters.

📍 Location: Village Hall



🕔 Time: 5:00 PM (prior to the regular Council Meeting at 7:00 PM)

Zoom link available for those who cannot attend in person.

News from the Village Clerk's Office

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY CLEAN UP!

Mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Forest Park Community Clean-Up! Join your neighbors in helping to keep our village clean and beautiful.

More details will be shared soon—stay tuned!

News from the Mayor's Office

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of former Forest Park resident and beloved District 91 principal, John Ericksen. John, along with his late wife Sandy, raised their two children on the 500 block of Circle Avenue and was a deeply rooted member of our community. With a career spanning 35 years, John dedicated his life to educating generations of Forest Park students before retiring to Vandalia, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 16, in Vandalia. More information can be found here. Our thoughts are with the Ericksen family during this difficult time.

This past week, the mayor had the honor of attending the District 209 Scholarship Evening, a celebration of the incredible achievements of our local students. It was inspiring to see 30 graduating seniors from Proviso District 209 awarded scholarships for their future studies. Among them, nine members of the Class of 2025 each received a $1,000 scholarship, and over 20 renewal scholarships were awarded to returning college students continuing to pursue their educational goals. We are so proud of these scholars and the bright futures ahead of them.

As we reflect on the legacy of dedicated educators like John Ericksen and celebrate the promise of our youth, let us continue to support one another and invest in the future of Forest Park.

News from the Public Works Department

As a reminder to all residents, please ensure that your garbage bins and yard waste bags or bins are clearly visible at the curb on pickup day.

We have received a number of calls about missed pickups—especially for yard waste. Often, this happens when containers are placed behind fences, cars, or landscaping, making them difficult to spot from the high vantage point of the collection truck.

To help avoid this, please place your containers in a location that is easily seen from the street. Ensuring clear visibility helps keep collection efficient for everyone in the community.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep our village clean and running smoothly!

News from the Department of Public Health & Safety

Shred It & Forget It Event!

Hosted by Forest Park National Bank

📅 Saturday, September 6

🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 NOON

📍 Forest Park National Bank Parking Lot

🗂️ Safely dispose of your sensitive documents — for FREE!

Bring up to two boxes (12" x 12" x 18") of documents to shred securely on-site.

✅ Staples are OK

❌ No binders or three-ring notebooks with metal parts

Don't miss this opportunity to declutter and protect your privacy!

Questions? Call us at 📞 708-222-2800

News from the Fire Department

The Fire Department is proud to share that we have been selected as a 2025 Powering Safe Communities grant recipient. This funding, provided by ComEd in partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, will support continued efforts to enhance public safety and community resilience.

Thank you to ComEd and the Caucus for investing in innovative local initiatives that make a real impact.

News from the Police Department

Police Blotter: 07/25/2025 - 08/07/2025

Boards & Commissions

Upcoming Board and Commission Meetings



All meetings are held at Village Hall unless otherwise noted.

Dates and Times are subject to change- check the village website for the most up-to-date information.

August 11, Village Council Meeting, 7pm

August 14, Recreation Board, 7pm

August 18, Planning & Zoning, 7pm

August 19, Neighborhood Watch, 7pm

Community News & Events

 Join us this August for our 5th year of Free Shakespeare in the Park!

This summer, Forest Theatre Company presents The Two Noble Kinsmen — an unforgettable tale of friendship, rivalry, and love.

📍 Location: The Grove at the Altenheim

7824 Madison St, Forest Park, IL

📅 Performance Dates:

August 8, 9, 10 & August 15, 16, 17

⏰ All shows begin at 5:00 PM

✨ Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a magical evening of live theatre under the trees — all for FREE!

🎭 Sponsorships available!

Email forestparktheatre1@gmail.com to support this Forest Park tradition.

For more information go to www.forest-theatre.org

11th Annual Garage Galleries!!!

Saturday August 23, 2025 11 am - 6 pm

Don’t miss the 11th Annual Garage Galleries! This amazing Village event features over 90 painters, potters, jewelry makers, photographers, and other talented artists showcasing their work in more than 40 garages throughout the community. Click here for more details.

Proviso Handyman August News

Proviso Handyman department is here to serve the needs of our senior residents over the age of 60 and /or disabled residents who are homeowners in our community.

Local Hiring Opportunities

The Village of Forest Park and several community partners are hiring. Please see the links below for more information and to apply:



• Forest Park Public Library
• Forest Park School District 91
• Village of Forest Park
• Park District of Forest Park

Important Phone Numbers

Police, Fire and Medical Needs 

Emergency and Non-Emergency - 911

24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support - 988

Text to 911 Now Available

West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center which provides emergency response services to Forest Park, along with Oak Park and River Forest can now receive 911 texts from a cell phone to report an emergency.

While calls to 911 will best assist emergency responders in being able to locate a caller, texting is an option for those who may need it. Text should only be used when some is unable to voice call to 911.

A text to 911 cannot include any other recipients. Texts to 911 may also take longer to reach the dispatch center.

Texts to 911 should be brief. Please include the type of help needed and the location where help is needed. Be prepared to respond to follow-up questions via text to better assist emergency responders.

Village Hall/Clerk's Office - 708-366-2323

Police Department - 708-366-2425

Parking/Records - 708-366-7272

Fire Department - 708-366-1234

Community Center - 708-771-7737

Forest Park Public Library - 708-366-7171

Park District of Forest Park 708-366-7500 

School District 91 - 708-366-5700

Proviso Township High School - 708- 338-5900