708-366-2323 - contact@forestpark.net

We had a great turnout last Friday at Pride Fest—it was great seeing so many residents and visitors out enjoying Madison Street and celebrating. The event brought a vibrant energy to town, with families, friends, and neighbors coming together in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Pride Fest was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors including Play It Again Sports, Robert’s Westside, Heal4Wellness, Forest Park School District 91, U3 Coffee, and Oak Park PFLAG. A special thank you goes to We the Collective, whose volunteers helped make everything run smoothly. Food and refreshments from Di’Vino, The Meat Counter, and Cool Truck Treats were crowd favorites. We’re also grateful for the continued support of our community partners: the Forest Park Public Library, Forest Park Park District, Thrive Counseling, and OPALGA. Each year, this event grows thanks to the incredible support of more and more dedicated helpers. A special thank you to the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce for their continued support, Balloons by Lily for the vibrant Pride decorations, and photographer Paul Goyette for beautifully capturing the spirit of the evening Events like these showcase the best of Forest Park—collaboration, community and a shared commitment to making our village a great place to live and visit.

Rachell Entler

Village Administrator

Village Council News

The next meeting of the Forest Park Village Council will be held on Monday June 23, 2025, at 7pm in the lower level of Village Hall. As always, the public is welcome to join.

To view the meeting agenda and zoom link for the meeting, click here.

Summary June 9 Council Meeting

• Approval of the Use of Public Way for the Forest Park Arts Alliance
• Resolution passed to approve and ratify the application for an Organized Retail Theft Crime Grant for FY26 from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office
• Resolution approved for Pay Request #1 for the Madison Street Site Furnishings Project from Misfits Construction Company

News from the Village Clerk's Office

Village Hall will be closing at 2 pm on Wednesday, June 18, and closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. We’ll reopen with regular hours on Friday, June 20.

News from the Mayor's Office

Thank you to the Oak Park Area Association for REALTORS® for informing the Mayor’s Office about a valuable placemaking grant opportunity. In response, Public Works Director Sal Stella collaborated with McAdam Landscaping to reimagine and revitalize the patch of land across from Village Hall. This week, McAdam installed a vibrant new pollinator garden designed to support local biodiversity by creating essential habitats for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. The garden features a variety of native plants, which are well-adapted to our local climate and soil conditions, require less water and maintenance, and help prevent erosion. In addition to their ecological benefits, native plant gardens offer natural beauty and provide meaningful opportunities for community engagement. We invite residents and visitors alike to stop by, explore the space, and enjoy this beautiful new addition to our public landscape.

News from the Public Works Department

With summer storms on the horizon, the Public Works Department encourages all residents to take a few simple steps to stay safe and protect property. Before a storm hits, secure items like lawn furniture, grills, and trash bins to prevent them from being blown into streets or onto neighboring properties. Clear gutters and downspouts to help manage heavy rainfall, and check that nearby storm drains are free of leaves and debris—this helps prevent localized flooding. If you see a blocked drain or fallen tree limbs in the roadway, report it to the Village right away. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping our streets and homes safe during storm season.

News from the Department of Public Health & Safety

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus season has begun. The Cook County Department of Public Health is reminding residents to take simple steps to protect themselves from this mosquito-borne illness. While most people infected don’t show symptoms, in rare cases, it can lead to serious health issues. Protect yourself and your family by:

• Using EPA-registered insect repellent (with 20–50% Deet for adults; 20–30% for kids)
• Draining standing water around your home to reduce mosquito breeding.
• Repairing window screens to keep mosquitoes out.
• Avoiding outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.

For more tips, visit FightTheBiteCookCounty.com.

News from the Fire Department

Fire Department Reminder: Grill & Fire Safety Tips for Summer

As we head into the second half of June and gear up for 4th of July celebrations, the Village Fire Department reminds everyone to stay fire-safe during the summer season. Keep grills at least 10 feet away from buildings and never leave them unattended while in use. Dispose of hot coals only in metal containers and allow them to cool completely. If using sparklers or other legal fireworks, do so responsibly—keep a bucket of water nearby, supervise children closely, and never try to relight a "dud." With dry weather increasing fire risks, please follow all local burn bans or restrictions. Let’s work together to enjoy a fun, festive, and fire-safe start to summer!

News from the Police Department

The Forest Park Police Department will increase traffic enforcement from June 20 through July 7 as part of a July Fourth safety campaign focused on identifying impaired and unbuckled drivers. The goal is to help everyone celebrate safely during the busy holiday period.

Residents are reminded to plan ahead:

• Designate a sober driver and hand over your keys before going out.
• Don’t drive if impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or any drug—use a taxi, public transit, rideshare, or call a sober friend.
• Call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers.
• Always wear your seat belt—it’s the law and your best protection.

Press release can be found 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.

June 16, Planning & Zoning, 7pm Canceled

June 17, Neighborhood Watch, 7pm

June 18, Traffic & Safety, 7pm

June 23, Village Council Meeeting, 7pm

June 25, Environmental Control Commission, 7pm

Environmental Control Commission

June 16 - 22 events from the Environmental Control Commission

Hey, do you want a Rain Barrel? Rain barrels can reduce flooding and save water for later use! The barrels come in four colors (black, blue, terra cotta and gray) and include instructions, a leaf and mosquito filter screen, a flexible downspout connector, a spigot/tap, and an overflow hose. And they are only $21.50 ($10.75 for age 65+) including delivery! Visit Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for more information.

And here are some great things going on this week:

Pond Paddle - Free, reservations required,

Enjoy an afternoon out paddling. Instruction, equipment and kayaks provided. Hosted at Thatcher Glen Pond.

Tuesday, June 17

Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest

5 p.m.

Virtual Garden: Gardening 101 - Free, reservation required.

Part of a series combining gardening information with health & wellness. Presented by Wandering Paths founder and Flower Farmer Navraaz Kaur Basati. The theme of this event is “Soil, Sun, Water, and How We Really Know Nothing.” Ages 13 & up.

Tuesday, June 17

Call 847-824-8360 to sign up.

7 to 8:30 p.m.

Senior Fitness Walk - Free!

Enjoy a gentle, moderately-paced 1-mile walk in Thatcher Woods

Wednesday, June 18

Thatcher Woods, Chicago Avenue west of Thatcher Avenue

9 a.m.

Stories in the Forest Drop-in - Free!

Join the River Forest Public Library and the Trailside Museum for our free “Stories in the Forest” programs! We will read children’s stories and then engage in a simple nature activity. Ages 0 to 5, accompanied by an adult. Meet at the gazebo in the outdoor nature play area. Will be canceled in the event of rain.

Thursday, June 19

Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest

10 a.m.

Nature Thursdays ‘Be a Nature Scientist’ Drop-In - Free!

Make your own Nature Journal, then look for and draw insects (Entomologist), make a leaf rubbing and plant a tree (Forestry Scientist), examine plants under a microscope (Botanist) and more. 

Thursday, June 19

Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest

10 a.m. to noon

Nature Book Club - Free but reservations required 

Join us for a lively discussion of the book “Beaverland”, which reveals the profound ways that this native animal has shaped the history, culture and environment of North America. Ages 18 & up.

Thursday, June 19

Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd, Forest Park

Register here!

7 p.m.

TrailPRIDE Celebration! - Free!

A full day of events, including a Guided Wellness/Safe Places/Everyone is Welcome Hike at 10 a.m., vendors, crafts, party and speakers! Check out all the details at the hyperlink above.

Saturday, June 21

Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

American Indian Summer Solstice - Free!

Join the American Indian Center of Chicago for a celebration of the sun’s power with dancing, storytelling and sun-themed art. Grove 13.

Saturday, June 21

Schiller Woods-East, West Irving Park Road, west of North Cumberland Avenue, Chicago

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Morning Bird Walk - Free!

Enjoy a casual guided walk to look for birds and bird behavior. Led by John Elliott of Chicago Bird Alliance. Binoculars available.

Saturday, May 17

Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest

8 a.m.

Community News & Events

Juneteenth Family Pool Party!

The annual Juneteenth Family Pool Party is tomorrow, Saturday, June 14, 7pm - 10pm at the Forest Park Aquatic Center. Enjoy music, community, and fun under the stars... it's free and open to all, reserve tickets here. Huge thanks to our sponsors for making this beloved tradition possible, and a huge shout-out to the Kiwanis Club of Forest Park! Their generous food donation means everyone can enjoy the pool party with complimentary hot dogs and chips.

Group Therapy and Psychiatry Openings with Thrive

Thrive Counseling Center is currently accepting new clients for both psychiatry and group counseling services, serving individuals ages 6 and up. We are pleased to offer openings in all of our adult therapy groups, which include the Relationships Group, Art Group, Virtual Grief Group, In-Person Grief Group, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Group. At Thrive, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality mental health care. Our services are open and welcoming to all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, legal status, beliefs, or disability. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance plans, and also provide sliding scale options to ensure our services remain accessible to everyone. If you or someone you know is seeking support, Thrive Counseling Center is here to help. Contact Thrive at (708) 383-7500 or access@thrivecc.org.

Groov'n in the Grove

Reminder to residents that Groov'n in the Grove is back!



Proviso Handyman June 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

The CY 2024 Village of Forest Park Quality Report has now been posted to the Village website. To review this report, please click here. Questions regarding this report can be directed to Water Operator Rick Barger at rbarger@forestpark.net or 708-366-4876.

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