Big City Access Small Town Charm | |
Week Ending - November 9, 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.
| | Last weekend was filled with wonderful community events! I started my Saturday by joining the Forest Park Arts Alliance for the Fiber Flash ribbon cutting and kick-off event. It was inspiring to see such a talented and dedicated group of local residents. If you have a chance, be sure to check out their creations at Constitution Court. Later in the day, I attended the annual Wine Walk, a fantastic event that lets you explore local shops while sipping on some lovely wines. The best part of the wine walk for me was chatting with the small business owners in Forest Park. They’re the ones who really make our village feel so special. The Chamber always does an incredible job organizing both the fall and spring wine walks. | |
On Thursday evening, the Mayor and I were invited to a panel discussion at Loyola University, a place that holds special meaning for both of us as alumni—Go Ramblers! The panel focused on the "First 100 Days in Office," offering insights into what the transition into public office can look like for newly elected officials. On Thursday we also celebrated the grand opening of the new Forest Park Aldi—stop by to explore their selection. This Saturday, our Recreation Board will host its second annual Pumpkin Smash, an eco-friendly event designed to help residents compost their pumpkins. Be sure to check out the details below.
Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend, and a heartfelt thank you to all of our Veterans for their service.
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Rachell Entler
Village Administrator
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Village Council Meeting Information
The next meeting of the Forest Park Village Council will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 7pm in the lower level of Village Hall. As always, the public is welcome to join.
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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: Village Hall will be closed on Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
The Park District is hosting their Annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony, held at the newly renovated Remembrance Park (7341 Randolph). The ceremony will include a special Blessing of the Remembrance Park Memorials, recognizing the service and sacrifices of our veterans.
| News from the Mayor's Office |
This week, the Mayor had the opportunity to visit Forest Park Middle School, where he met with the 6th-grade Social Studies class. The students are currently working on a project to identify a local issue and explore potential solutions, and the Mayor enjoyed engaging with them about the importance of community involvement and problem-solving. It’s always rewarding to connect with young people who are learning about ways to make a positive impact on their community.
Later in the week, the Mayor attended the grand opening of Aldi, which will be a valuable addition to Forest Park. The Mayor, Village Administrator Entler, and Commissioners Melin-Rogovin and Voogd joined Aldi staff for the exciting opening. Aldi’s affordable prices and wide selection of quality products will benefit residents and contribute to the ongoing growth and of our community. The store’s presence enhances local shopping options and supports our goal of providing more accessible amenities for families and individuals in the area.
Pictured below: Lindsay Streich, Village Administrator Entler, Mayor Hoskins, Hallie Benjamin, Tiffany Bernard, Commissioner Melin-Rogovin, Commissioner Voogd.
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News from the Department of Public Health & Safety |
Free COVID and Flu Shots at Cook County Health Sites
Children (6 months and up) and adults can receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at no cost, regardless of insurance coverage, at walk-in clinics offered by Cook County Department of Public Health, Cook County Health and County Care. The clinics are open on certain Saturdays now through February 22, 2025, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at five different locations in suburban Cook County. A person’s immigration status will not impact the ability to receive immunizations.
Additional details:
· Clinics offer COVID-19 and flu vaccines for children and adults
· Walk-ins welcome, no appointment necessary
· Resource coordination and referrals available
· Bring a form of I.D. and insurance card (Note: insurance is not required)
For more information: email healthycook@cookcountyhhs.org
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News from the Public Works Department
Autumn Leaves: What You Need to Know About Leaf Pickup
Reminder to all residents: Landscape contractors must haul away brush, leaves, and grass clippings. They are not allowed to leave them in the street. Failure to remove leaves properly may result in a fine to both the resident and the contractor.
Additionally, contractors caught dumping leaves on Forest Park village streets from another location will also face a fine
Residents have several options for leaf disposal: you can bag leaves for yard waste pickup, utilize bulk curbside collection, or compost them for your garden. From April 1 to November 29, 2024, leaf and yard waste pickup is included in your monthly refuse charges on your water bill. We encourage everyone to bag their leaves to keep roadways clear and prevent storm drain blockages. Yard waste should be disposed of in 32-gallon paper bags or clearly labeled cans.
Our curbside leaf collection runs from October 1 to December 1, 2024. To participate, please rake leaves to the curb, avoiding storm drains, by the evening of your collection day. Note that hired landscape contractors must properly dispose of all debris and cannot leave leaves in the street, as this may result in fines. For more details and to view the schedule, please click here.
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News from the Fire Department | |
Join us in raising awareness and funds for the Movember Foundation, dedicated to improving men’s health. Stop by the firehouse to grab a limited edition Movember tee for just $25! Every purchase helps support vital research and initiatives for men’s mental health, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and more.
Don't miss out – wear your support proudly this Movember!
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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.
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News from the Police Department | |
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.
November 12, Village Council Meeting, 7pm
November 14, Recreation Board Meeting, 7pm
November 19, Neighborhood Watch, 7pm
November 21, Safety & Traffic Commission, 7pm
November 28 & 29, Village Hall is closed
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Recreation Board Pumpkin Smash is Back!
Don’t toss that Halloween pumpkin—SMASH it! After the fun, we’ll compost the remains, keeping things eco-friendly. Let’s turn pumpkins into compost and have a smashing good time!
Can't Make it to the "smash"? Fill out this form and we will pick up your pumpkin!
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Drop that rake! Stop and think before you get your rake or leaf blower out. Sure, we’re used to always blowing them out to the street where they are plowed. But it’s time to reconsider how we handle leave.
There’s some downsides to raking leaves to the curb. It can be dangerous. Kids could be playing in those big piles. Also, running over the leaves with your car—bad idea, both for your car, and for the environment. The leaves that will be composted may be contaminated with oil from cars (and from any other garbage that may be hidden in these piles.) And there’s the possibility that these leaves may end up clogging up storm drains, increasing flooding risks and incurring costly cleanouts.
Good news! There’s an alternative: read about it here.
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You're Invited!!
The Park District of Forest Park is excited to celebrate 90 years of serving the community with exceptional programs, classes, sports, swimming, and more. For nine decades, the Park District has been a cornerstone of community life, and it's time to reflect on the impact and look ahead to the future.
Join the Celebration:
Friday, November 15
6:30 – 9:30 PM
At the Admin Building
This special event will feature an evening of fun, memories, and community spirit. Everyone is invited to join the festivities and celebrate this incredible milestone!
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Thank you Fiber Flash!
We are fortunate to live in a village filled with such talented and creative artists! A big thank you to the Forest Park Arts Alliance for hosting the wonderful Fiber Arts Flash event at Constitution Court. If you haven't had a chance to stop by yet, be sure to check out the amazing displays of crocheting and knitting—and yes, even chickens! This weekend, all of the beautifully crafted items will be donated to the library. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this incredible event possible.
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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. More information can be found here.
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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:
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Important Phone Numbers
Police, Fire and Medical Needs
Emergency and Non-Emergency - 911
24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support - 988
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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.
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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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