708-366-2323 - contact@forestpark.net

According to weather reports, it looks like Forest Park and the Chicago area will experience sub-zero temperatures next week. I want to remind everyone to take precautions to protect your homes and pipes. Be sure to insulate any exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements, attics, or garages. Letting faucets drip slightly can also help prevent freezing. It's a good idea to check that your heating system is working properly and ensure your windows and doors are tightly sealed. For those of you planning to drive, make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter conditions. Check your tire pressure, keep your gas tank at least half-full, and pack essentials like blankets, a flashlight, and extra water. As always, be cautious of slippery roads, drive slowly, and give yourself extra time to reach your destination. Stay warm and safe! As always, our Public Works Department will be out keeping our roads safe and clear during these cold conditions.

Cook County is opening warming centers in the north, west and south suburbs to help residents combat extreme weather conditions. The warming centers will open at 12:00 p.m. Sunday, January 19 and run continuously until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 22.  

Residents who do not have adequate access to heat are advised to seek respite at a warming center.  The closest warming center to Forest Park is Maywood Courthouse: 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood.

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 27, 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.

January 13, 2025 Village Council Meeting Recap

• The Environmental Control Commission Awards were presented.
• An ordinance was approved to borrow funds for the Lead Service Line Replacement Project (Stage 2).
• A pre-application for the Green Infrastructure Partnership Program was approved.
• An agreement with Endeavor Edward-Elmhurst for the Substance Abuse Testing Program was approved.
• Change Orders No. 3 and 4, and Pay Request No. 3 for the North Tank Rehabilitation Project were approved.
• Pay Request #2 for the 2024 Water Main Project was approved.
• Bids for Stage 2 of the Lead Service Line Replacement Project were authorized.
• The CompleteLink 2.0 rate and discount schedule with AT&T was ratified.
• A financial advisor agreement with Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, PLC was ratified.
• The sale or disposition of surplus property was authorized.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: January 21, 2025 Neighborhood Watch 7pm will be at the Community Center.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that beginning on FEBRUARY 20, 2025, the regular meeting of the Safety and Traffic Commission of the Village of Forest Park will be the Third Wednesday of each month.

News from the Mayor's Office

At Monday's Council Meeting, the Environmental Control Commission (ECC) presented its first-ever awards recognizing residents who have made a positive impact on sustainability and climate change. Scott Whitebone from the ECC had the honor of presenting the awards to Kevin Orze, a dedicated champion of sustainability in the Village, and to David Gulyas, who accepted the award on behalf of the residents of The Grove. Kevin has been a tireless advocate for the environment, regularly composting, actively recycling, cleaning up the community, planting native species to support pollinators, and establishing a pond in his yard to promote local wildlife. The ECC and the Village were proud to recognize his exceptional contributions to sustainability. David Gulyas accepted the award on behalf of The Grove, which has been composting since 2022 through the Wastenot program. Over 25% of the residents participate in the composting initiative, and they also receive a portion of the compost to use in their gardens. This effort, along with other sustainable practices throughout the Village, reflects our collective commitment to protecting the environment and fostering a greener, more sustainable future for all residents.

Pictured below: Scott with Kevin, and Scott with David. Photo credit: Todd Bannor.

News from the Department of Public Health & Safety

Cook County will experience extreme cold weather Tuesday evening through Thursday. The National Weather Service has advised that wind chills will make it feel as cold as -10°F.  

Residents should keep the following tips in mind through the cold winter months:

• Never use your oven for heat.
• Never bring charcoal or gas grills indoors (they are a carbon monoxide hazard).
• Make sure all portable heaters are unplugged when not in use.
• Use electric space heaters with extreme caution – avoid placing them near curtains or other flammable materials and turn them off before going to bed.
• Keep heat at adequate levels or leave faucets open with a slight drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep moving. Your body generates its own heat when you engage in physical activities.

Additional information on warming centers can be found here.

News from the Public Works Department

Although it is cold and snowy outside, Spring will be here before you know it. In 2022, the Village of Forest Park compiled a full GIS Tree Inventory, along with a Forestry Comprehensive Management Plan. The Village is excited to finally be able to tap into these valuable resources in moving forward with their tree planting goals. The majority of the trees planted per season will be based on Arborist recommendations from our new resources. The Forest Park Public Works Department is taking minimal tree requests in each planting season.   There are limited request amounts available, so act quickly. Please visit The Village of Forest Park’s GIS tree map FP Trees. The black circles with the blue pins inside represent open planting spaces. If your location falls in these areas, the Village will plant the tree at no charge. Otherwise, residents will be charged full price for the tree they request in all other areas. Included will be the free planting of the tree by the Public Works staff and a watering bag. All those interested should email the Director of Public Works at sstella@forestpark.net. You will be sent a tree list to pick from. Once the location and tree species is approved by the Director of Public Works, You will be added to the planting list for Spring 2025. Any requests that were not able to be met in Spring will be considered for the fall planting in the order they were received. Please have all requests sent to the Director of Public Works by March 1, 2025.  

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.

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Killer

Carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is called the “invisible killer” because it's a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is undetectable to the human senses, so people may not know that they are being exposed.

CO poisoning can occur when a fuel-burning appliance or machine, such as a furnace, heater or generator, is not working or vented properly.

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 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

Winter Sustainability Events

Two exciting upcoming events focused on sustainability!

On Saturday, January 25, the Native-led Climate Summit will be held at the Thatcher Woods Event Pavilion in River Forest from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event brings together Native and non-Native stewards, growers, and changemakers from the Chicagoland/Great Lakes region to discuss the climate challenges facing urban Indigenous communities and explore collaborative solutions.

On Wednesday, January 29, attend Vegetable Gardening 101 at the Oak Park Public Library's veterans room from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Certified urban farmer Chamika Moore will guide beginners through the basics of growing vegetables indoors to prepare for a successful spring garden.

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