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Week Ending - November 23, 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!


We want to hear from you and keep all residents informed about the latest news and events in Forest Park. 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 and Instagram for real-time updates and community highlights!


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


I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Just a quick note—Village Hall will be closed on November 28 and 29 for the holiday.


On Saturday, November 30, be sure to join in the fun of Small Business Saturday! Our local businesses are such an important part of what makes Forest Park special, and they could really use our support this time of year. We're lucky to have so many great shops, restaurants, and entertainment options in town. Looking for a gift for someone who has everything? How about tickets to a comedy show at Babs Comedy Club, coffee from Espresso Cafe, Kribi, or U3, a little pampering at one of our wonderful salons, or a unique gift from one of the many local shops? More details under Community News—hope to see you out shopping locally this holiday season!

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, November 25, 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

The 2025 Village Calendars are now available! Pick one up at Village Hall or Schauer's Hardware to keep track of all the important dates for the upcoming year. Please note that Village Hall will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29, for Thanksgiving, and will close early at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, November 27. Garbage pickup will occur on Friday, November 29, that week. We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

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News from the Mayor's Office

This week, the Mayor attended an event featuring Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, who spoke on her goals for the state of Illinois, particularly in the areas of women's rights, civil rights, and restorative justice. Her career focuses on ensuring Illinois remains a great place to live and work. On Wednesday, the Mayor took part in a Zoom conference discussing how global crises can have local impacts. Later that day, he joined a presentation with fellow Illinois mayors and elected officials to explore geopolitical trends and their effects on local government. The discussion highlighted the potential for cyber disruptions to impact communities like Forest Park and the steps that can be taken at Village Hall to safeguard residents and keep them informed. Small towns, while often overlooked, are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, making it important for local leaders to be proactive.


On Friday, the Mayor attended the grand opening of Di'Vino, a new restaurant located at 1527 S. Harlem. The restaurant, a sister establishment to the popular La Parra in Berwyn, offers a delicious menu that is sure to be a hit in Forest Park.

News from the Department of Public Health & Safety

CDC issues E.coli warning


The CDC has issued an E. coli warning after an outbreak linked to recalled carrots from Grimmway Farms. While no cases have been reported in Illinois, the outbreak has affected 18 states, resulting in 39 illnesses, 15 hospitalizations, and one death. The recalled whole and baby carrots are no longer available for purchase in stores, but consumers may still have them in their fridges or freezers. The CDC is urging everyone to check their homes for these recalled products and to dispose of them immediately if found, without consuming them. For more information, please visit the CDC's official website.

News from the Public Works Department


Annual Water Main Replacement


Public Works would like to inform residents that over the next several months, there will be construction work along the 400-500 block of Ferdinand, from Madison to Jackson. Before colder temperatures set in, the water main will be replaced, followed by the replacement of the water service lines in the spring. During work hours, flaggers will direct traffic on Jackson Avenue as needed to ensure that motorists can travel in both directions. The street will remain accessible at the end of each workday, and local traffic can continue to use Ferdinand during evening and overnight hours. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve the village.


Pace Update

Effective Sunday, December 8, Pace will launch a pilot project to enhance and expand service on Route 301. A summary of the changes is outlined here.


News from the Fire Department

Reminder from the FP Fire Department


Battery fires have become one of the most challenging and perplexing incidents for the fire service in recent years, often requiring specialized techniques and equipment to effectively mitigate. Here are some important Lithium-Ion battery safety tips.


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

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.


November 25, Village Council Meeting, 7pm

November 28 & 29, Village Hall is closed

December 4, Board of Health Meeting, 7pm

December 12, Recreation Board Meeting, 7pm

December 16, Village Council Meeting, 7pm

December 17, Neighborhood Watch Meeting, 7pm

Environmental Control Commission

Upcoming events:

Nov. 29  Buy Nothing Day

Nov. 29, 1:30 PM Annual Turkey Trot Walk , Trailside Museum of Natural History


This year, consider celebrating Buy Nothing Day, an international day of protest against consumerism, held the day after U.S. Thanksgiving. It coincides with Black Friday, when retailers typically entice shoppers with steep discounts. But instead of joining the retail frenzy, why not take part in Buy Nothing Day? It’s a simple yet powerful way to focus on sustainability. REI has long championed this idea with their #OptOutside campaign, encouraging people to spend time in nature rather than shopping. This could be the perfect opportunity to reflect on how you’re living sustainably. Remember, the three Rs—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—have expanded to eight now, offering even more ways to create a mindful, eco-conscious lifestyle. What small changes can you make today to help build a more sustainable future?

Community News & Events


Small Business Saturday, November 30 11am - 4pm


This Small Business Saturday, November 30, show your love for Forest Park's unique small businesses by shopping small in a big way! While you're out supporting local shops, be sure to stop by the Chamber at Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor to sample some local treats, pick up a free 'letter to Santa' kit, and grab a player's card for our new Elf Hunt. Get out early, shop 'til you drop, and you could win one of $2,000 in local gift cards (while supplies last)! After shopping, return to Brown Cow with your receipts to claim your free gift card: spend $75-$150 and get a $25 gift card, or spend $150+ and score a $50 gift card. Small businesses are the heart of our community, and they need our support—let’s show them some love in Forest Park! *Receipts must be from a Forest Park business. Sponsored by the Forest Park Chamber & Village of Forest Park.


6th Graders Light Up Wishes for Make-A-Wish


Forest Park Middle School's sixth graders are hosting the second annual Wish Upon a Light event! They are selling paper lantern kits, with all proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The last day to order is December 7. On December 14, everyone is invited to display their lanterns on the sidewalk. For more details and to order, click here.



 Proviso Handyman November 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:



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

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517 Des Plaines Avenue

Forest Park, Illinois 60130

Telephone: 708-366-2323

E-mail: contact@forestpark.net

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