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Week Ending - October 26, 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.
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On Sunday evening, I had the pleasure of joining Mayor Hoskins and Commissioners Melin-Rogovin and Voogd at the Oak Park League of Women Voters centennial celebration. As a nonpartisan organization, the League focuses on voter engagement and education, making it an essential part of our democratic process. It was a wonderful way to spend the evening, listening to inspiring stories and reflecting on the League’s impactful history in Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest.
Tomorrow is the Park District of Forest Park's Trunk or Treat on October 26 from 11 AM to 1 PM at 7329 Harrison St. Participants can register their cars to hand out candy from their trunks, with Ferrara Candy Company generously donating candy as well. Both car registration and trick-or-treating are free! For car registration, click here.
Pictured below: Commissioner Voogd, Forest Park resident & board member Michelle Fitzhenry, Mayor Hoskins, Commissioner Melin-Rogovin, Village Administrator Entler
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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 Monday, October 28, 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 |
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.
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Information for Forest Park Residents
On election day, Nov 5 – you must vote at your local polling office from 6am – 7pm Find your local polling place here.
Need to vote early?
Beginning 10/21 until 11/4 voters can go to one of the locations below, 9am – 5pm
Maywood Public Library 121 5th ave, Maywood
Oak park Village hall 123 Madison, Oak Park
Brookfield Village hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave, Brookfield
Cicero Community center – 2250 S 49th St, Cicero
Elmwood park Rec center – 2 Conti Pkwy. Elmwood Park
Stickney Library – 6800 43rd St, Stickney
| News from the Mayor's Office |
In a busy weekend, the Mayor attended the Triton Foundation dinner at Triton College on Friday, where donations support the development of new programs and services, fund financial aid and faculty, purchase equipment and library books, and maintain facilities. Triton's commitment to affordable tuition and open admission ensures that post-secondary education remains accessible to residents of Forest Park and Proviso, with over 150 combined associate degree and certificate programs available.
Saturday brought perfect weather for the annual casket races, where the Forest Park PD narrowly missed out on first place to the Park District champs. It was a delightful way to celebrate autumn, with families enjoying the festivities along Madison Street.
On Sunday, the Mayor had the honor of being a guest speaker at the Oak Park River Forest League of Women Voters gala, highlighting the strong partnership between Forest Park and the League, especially in promoting civic engagement through candidate forums at the Forest Park Public Library. These forums have played a crucial role in informing voters and encouraging participation in local government. The League has also collaborated with the library to boost voter registration by distributing “Get Out The Vote” materials featuring QR codes at local businesses throughout Forest Park.
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News from the Department of Public Health & Safety |
The CDC is warning that whooping cough cases are on the rise in Illinois and across the country. Also known as pertussis, this highly contagious respiratory disease tends to peak in the fall, coinciding with the seasonal uptick in illnesses like RSV, flu, and COVID-19. Whooping cough poses the greatest risk to infants, making vaccination crucial. For children up to age six, the DTaP vaccine provides protection, while those aged 11 and older should receive the Tdap vaccine. For more information on prevention and vaccination, click here.
And don't forget the Cindy Lyons Health Fair. Wednesday, October 30 from 10 AM – 1 PM at the Howard Mohr Community Center for a day of wellness and community support.
The Illinois DMV will be onsite to help you renew your driver’s license or apply for a State ID. (Vision test may be required—visit https://www.ilsos.gov/ for required documents.)
FREE vaccines and health checks:
• Flu shots (high dose for seniors, regular dose for ages 10+) • Covid, Shingles, Pneumonia, and Tetanus shots
• Blood pressure checks, balance tests, and more!
Everything is FREE! Forest Park residents, need a ride? Call us at 708-771-7737 for transportation.
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News from the Public Works Department
Autumn Leaves: What You Need to Know About Leaf Pickup
During autumn and winter, we want to remind residents of their leaf removal options. You can bag leaves for yard waste pickup, use 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 residents who can, to please bag their leaves to keep roadways clear and prevent storm drain blockages. Yard waste can 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 Community Center | |
Cindy Lyons Health Fair
October 30th 10 am - 1pm
The annual Cindy Lyons Health Fair, which offers a variety of free screenings, exams and other services, will be held Wednesday, October 30th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Howard Mohr Community Center.
Residents of Forest Park may also receive free vaccinations against seasonal influenza and covid boosters.
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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.
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News from the Police Department | |
For more information about the Forest Park Police Department, visit their website by clicking here.
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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.
October 28, Village Council Meeting, 7pm
November 6, Board of Health, 7pm
November 12, Village Council Meeting, 7pm
November 14, Recreation Board Meeting, 7pm
November 18, Planning & Zoning Meeting, 7pm
November 19, Neighborhood Watch, 7pm
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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!
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Planning & Zoning Commission
The PZC meets as needed on the third Monday of the month at 7pm in the Lower Level of Village Hall. The next PZC Meeting is Monday, November 18.
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Forest Park Fall Wine Walk
November 2 @ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm – $50.00
Enjoy tastings of three wines at 16 locations, paired with locally prepared small bites and art from local artists.
Tickets are $50 per person, which includes all tastings and a free bottle of wine (pick up from Famous Liquors within 30 days). Choose from a 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm registration time at Forest Park Bank (7348 Madison) to receive your wine glass and itinerary.
Tickets must be purchased in advance—none will be available at the event. The Wine Walk is rain or shine, and tickets are transferable but non-refundable. Registration details will be emailed two weeks prior to the event. Purchase tickets here.
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Fiber Flash Alert!
Join the Arts Alliance of Forest Park on Saturday, November 2nd at 11 AM for the Fiber Flash ribbon-cutting at Constitution Court (7426 Madison Street). Experience the community's creativity as trees, streetlights, and benches are adorned with handmade scarves, hats, mittens, and quilts. Don’t miss the whimsical farm animals and scarecrows at this year’s event! After the week-long display, all items will be donated to the Forest Park Library’s comfort box for those in need. Make it a full day on Madison Street by participating in the Chamber of Commerce Fall Wine Walk, featuring Fiber Art Stops. Get your wine tasting ticket here or grab a Fiber Art Stop map at the event.
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Proviso Handyman October 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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