708-366-2323 - contact@forestpark.net

As we start the new year, many of us focus on resolutions to improve our health and well-being. It’s important to remember that taking care of our mental health is just as essential. That’s why I want to ensure our residents are aware of the mental health resources available right here in our community. The Proviso Township Mental Health Commission provides a range of services for residents, including Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Senior Services, Youth Prevention, and a Crisis Hotline. For confidential support, residents can call (708) 234-TALK (8255) or visit ptmhc.org for more information.

Additionally, the Forest Park Board of Health Commission is conducting a survey to better understand the mental health needs in our community. Your participation in this important survey is greatly appreciated—please take a moment to share your input.

Rachell Entler

Village Administrator

Village Council News

Village Council Meeting Information

The next meeting of the Forest Park Village Council will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 7pm in the lower level of Village Hall. As always, the public is welcome to join.

Can't make the meeting in person? Village Council meetings are streamed live and recordings are published to the Village website within a few days after the meeting.

To view the meetings live via Zoom, click here and then click on the Zoom link for the current meeting. Meetings will start at 7pm.



To view recordings of the Village Council meetings, click here, then click on the date you would like to view.

News from the Village Clerk's Office

Reminder that Village Hall will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Christmas Tree Recycling 🎄

Got a real tree to recycle? Live trees can be placed on the grass portion of the parkway, near the curbs.

Public Works will pick up trees on Mondays and Fridays (subject to staff availability).

Please remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and tree stands before placing your tree out for collection.



If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out via email at contact@forestpark.net or call us at 708-366-2323. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook for real-time updates and community highlights!

News from the Mayor's Office

Today, the Mayor, Village Clerk Belmonte and Village Staff (Sam & Siobhan) visited the Community Center to donate blood, supporting the ongoing need for donations in our community. The demand for blood is constant, and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in critical care. Nationwide, someone requires a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds, and it's likely that many of us will need blood at some point in our lifetime. Donating blood is a simple yet powerful way to make a life-saving impact, as each donation can help save up to three lives. Your donation can make all the difference for those in urgent need of medical care. To find out how you can contribute and make a difference, click here.

Below are some photos from the blood drive, and as you can see, the Mayor is already pumped up for tonight's football game, where his alma mater, the Texas Longhorns, will face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes!

News from the Department of Public Health & Safety

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reported a rise in respiratory illnesses, with the state's overall illness level increasing from Moderate to High due to early winter hospital admissions.

The IDPH Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard shows emergency department (ED) visits for Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) climbed to 21% in the week ending December 28, up from 17% the previous week. Flu-related ED visits more than doubled to 6.2%, while COVID-19 visits increased to 2%.

In response, IDPH issued a health alert to hospitals and healthcare facilities, urging them to monitor local conditions and consider precautions like visitor restrictions and mask-wearing to limit the spread of seasonal illnesses.

Stay informed and take precautions this winter season.

News from the Public Works Department

Please be sure to check our Facebook and Instagram pages for the most up-to-date information on snow routes and parking restrictions. We ask for your cooperation in assisting the Public Works Department with snow removal by adhering to the snow route signs posted throughout the village. These signs are typically placed on the same side as the streetlights and indicate snow routes, which remain in effect for up to 48 hours after a snow event of 2 inches or more. Additionally, please yield to plow trucks with flashing lights, as they are emergency vehicles working to clear the roads and ensure safe travel. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

News from the Fire Department

The Village of Forest Park Fire Department is now accepting applications! For more details on how to apply, please click here.

Safe Options for Home Needle Disposal

Each year, millions of people across the country use billions of needles, syringes, and lancets – known as sharps – to manage medical conditions at home. Proper disposal of used sharps is crucial for public health. Unsafe disposal can lead to accidental exposure, putting sanitation workers, children, and pets at risk of needle-stick injuries. It's important for those who use sharps to follow safe disposal practices.

Please visit these links for important information how and where to dispose of sharps.

EPA Sharps guidelines

Safe Needle Disposal

Cook County Meds Disposal

9-1-1- Emergency and Non-Emergencies

Anyone requiring immediate assistance from the Forest Park Police and Fire Departments should call 9-1-1; this also includes non-emergency situations which require a response. The Village’s 9-1-1 dispatch center will route your call to the appropriate personnel to assist with the matter at hand. The Village’s 708-366-2425 number is not to be used to request service for public safety personnel.

News from the Police Department

For more information about the Forest Park Police Department, visit their website by clicking here.

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.



January 13, 2025 Village Council 7pm

January 16, 2025 Safety & Traffic 7pm

January 21, 2025 Planning and Zoning, 7pm

January 21, 2025 Neighborhood Watch 7pm (At the Community Center)

January 22, 2025 ECC Metting 7pm

January 27, 2025 Village Council Meeting, 7pm

Board of Health

The Forest Park Board of Health needs your input! The Board is gathering information about the mental health needs of our community. Your voice can help shape the future of mental health programming in the Village. Please click on this link to take a private survey. If you choose to leave your email, you can be entered to win gift cards to local stores and restaurants. Limit one survey response per household. Find Survey here.

Environmental Control Commission

Cabin Fever? Embrace Sustainability with These Upcoming Events!

Looking for ways to break free from the winter chill and get involved in sustainability? Here are a couple of great events coming up in the area:

Sustainability Book Club: Wednesday, January 15, for an enriching discussion that blends fiction and nonfiction to explore the fascinating themes of nature, environmentalism, and sustainability. This book club meets every other month, diving deep into literature that opens our eyes to the world around us.

Register here to reserve your spot!

Bird & Bagels Walk at Trailside Museum: Get outside and embrace nature on Saturday, January 18, at 8:30 AM. The Trailside Museum invites you to a Bird & Bagel walk. Begin your morning with a cozy session inside the museum, observing bird feeder activity while enjoying bagels and coffee. Then, join John Elliott from the Chicago Bird Alliance for a guided bird walk. All levels of birdwatching experience are welcome! Binoculars will be provided.

Find more details here.

Community News & Events

Forest Park PTO and D91 host Day of Service

January 20, 2025

On a day where we recognize the contributions and lasting impact of Martin Luther King Jr, we invite you and your family to participate in the Forest Park PTO and D91 Day of Service. Help us make this a day ON, not OFF!

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?" Martin Luther King Jr.

We are looking for D91 families or FP community members to participate in a day of packaging non-perishable foods while also collecting toiletries and small household supplies to support those experiencing food or housing insecurity.

To participate, you can:

1) Sign up for a shift to pack food from either 9-11 am or 12-2 pm. at Grant White Elementary School

2) Donate food, toiletries, or small household supplies either before or on the actual event day

3) Make a direct donation to the Forest Park Fridge or Library to support their missions of supporting those in need. (links included in the google form above.)

If you have any questions regarding the event or your participation, please email us at pto@fpsd91.org

Complete details, additional ways to participate, and registration information click here.

Proviso Handyman January 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 communiy.

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