Big City Access Small Town Charm | |
Week Ending - September 14, 2024
Welcome to the Village of Forest Park's weekly e-newsletter! Please use this e-newsletter as a resource to provide you with the latest news, events, and resources in and around Forest Park!
In this edition, please find updates from the Village Council, the Clerk's Office, Public Works, the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Community Center, community news, job opportunities, and more!
We want to hear from you! If you have news or events that you would like to include in future editions, please let us know.
| |
This week, I had the privilege of attending a highly informative professional development conference that centered on negotiating, reviewing contracts and proposals, and mastering mediation techniques. The conference featured a range of speakers and interactive workshops, offering hands-on experience into the nuances of these crucial skills. The strategies I gained from these sessions are not only valuable but also transformative, and I am eager to apply them to enhance our Village operations. By incorporating these new approaches, I anticipate improvements in how we manage union contracts and resolve conflicts, ultimately leading to more efficient and effective negotiating with our unions.
Looking ahead to next week, I encourage all residents to join us on Tuesday, September 24th, for our Leaf Pickup Townhall, which will be held at 7 PM at Village Hall. Both Village staff and members of the Environmental Control Commission will be present to discuss our current leaf pickup program, including its strengths, challenges, and potential alternatives. Your input is essential to ensure we make informed decisions that best serve our community. We hope to see you there!
| |
Rachell Entler
Village Administrator
|
Village Council Meeting Information
The next meeting of the Forest Park Village Council will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024, 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 |
Voter Information
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Voter information on registration status, where to early vote, ballot status, click here.
How to request a mail ballot or get more information on mail ballot. Click here.
Where can I register? Click here.
Where and when can I vote early. Click here.
Where can I find information about voter accessibility and assistance? Click here.
Where can I find information for Cook County residents who are military and are stationed out of state? Click here.
Where can I find election results? Click here.
| News from the Mayor's Office |
Housing Forward Presentation
On Monday evening, the Village Council meeting featured an impactful presentation by Housing Forward, shedding light on the issue of homelessness not only in Forest Park but throughout Proviso Township. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the permanent closure of numerous shelters, intensifying the challenge of addressing homelessness. In response, Housing Forward is committed to offering essential services such as street outreach, emergency financial assistance, emergency overnight shelter, and interim housing. Their mission focuses on prevention, response, and long-term stabilization, recognizing that the journey to stable housing can be gradual and complex. Support is available, and if you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, please contact 877-426-6515 for assistance. For additional resources and information, visit housing forward.
| |
News from the Department of Public Health & Safety | Flu season is approaching, and it's crucial to take preventive measures. Last year, approximately 25,000 people in the U.S. died from the flu, and around 400,000 were hospitalized. To ensure you’re protected, the CDC recommends getting your flu shot between mid-September and the end of October. This timing helps your immune system build protection before flu activity increases and ensures that your immunity lasts through the winter. Note that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for the flu shot to offer full protection. To support your health efforts, the Howard Mohr Community Center will host the Cindy Lyons Health Fair on Wednesday, October 30, offering free flu shots. For more details, call the Community Center at 708-771-7737. For more details on the flu and tips on how to protect yourself, click here. | |
News from the Public Works Department
Public Works is planning our Fall tree planting for late October and early November, and we’d love for you to get involved. You can request a new tree to be planted on your parkway, helping to enhance our community’s green spaces.
To request a tree, you can choose from a list of options provided by the Village’s preferred nursery or let our Director of Public Works select the best tree for you. Please make sure your parkway meets the necessary criteria, including enough space, no obstruction from stumps or utilities, and proper distance from existing trees.
Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to submit yours by September 20, 2024. If you miss this deadline, your request will be considered for our Spring 2025 planting.
For more information or to make a request, please email sstella@forestpark.net.
Help us make our community greener—request your tree today!
| |
News from the Community Center | |
Food Pantry
Residents who are in need of assistance with groceries can visit the Forest Park Food Pantry located at the Community Center. For hours and more information, call 708-771-7737.
| |
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.
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.
This change is a result of the State's dispatch consolidation requirements that went into effect in May 2017. If you call Village Hall in need of police or fire personnel for either non-emergency or emergency response, you will be transferred to our WESCOM dispatch center where a dispatcher will route your call to the appropriate police or fire personnel. WESCOM services Forest Park, Oak Park, and River Forest. Since three towns are being serviced, you may be asked a series of questions in order to confirm your location.
Please share this news with your neighbors. 9-1-1 is for both emergencies and non-emergencies requiring police or fire personnel assistance.
|
|
News from the Police Department | |
The Village of Forest Park Police Department is now accepting applications! For more details on how to apply, please click here.
For more information about the Forest Park Police Department, visit their website by clicking here.
| |
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.
September 16, Planning & Zoning Meeting, 7pm
September 17, Neighborhood Watch, 7pm
September 19, Safety & Traffic Commission, 7pm
September 23, Village Council Meeting, 7pm
September 25, Environmental Control Commission, 7pm
October 2, Board of Health, 7pm
October 10, Recreation Board, 7pm
| |
Recreation Board
Save the Date!
Fall Community Clean-Up
When: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Where: Howard Mohr Community Center
Time: 9 AM
Registration required: click here.
Pickers and gloves will be available while supplies last. Volunteers are encouraged to wear sunblock, a hat, closed-toed shoes, and bring a reusable water bottle. Treats will be available for volunteers after the clean-up, courtesy of Twisted Cookie!
Help us keep our community clean! For additional information or questions, contact the Recreation Board at recboard@forestpark.net
| |
Board Of Health
September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, with National Suicide Prevention Week taking place from September 8-14. Suicidal thoughts can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, and while they are unfortunately common, they should never be seen as normal. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of suicide prevention, shifting public perception, and spreading hope. For more information click here.
|
Planning & Zoning Commission
The PZC meets as needed on the third Monday of the month at 7pm in the Lower Level of Village Hall.
| |
Invasion of the Scarecrows is back!
The Historical Society of Forest Park and the Forest Park Arts Alliance are excited to bring back the Invasion of the Scarecrows this October! This year’s event will feature 300 scarecrows—up from 100 last year!
Here’s how to join the fun:
-
Order Your Kit: Purchase online here.
- Pick Up Your Kit: contact the historical society
- Create & Display: Decorate and display your scarecrow(s) in October.
Reuse last year’s scarecrow for just $5. New kit with blank face scarecrow $35; Child scarecrow $25; or order a face painted by an artist $45.
New Kits include everything you need!
Vote for your favorites and compete for prizes in categories like Most Historic, Most Artistic, and more. Plus, there’s a special award for the block with the highest participation!
| |
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. More information can be found here.
| |
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:
| |
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
| | | | |