Big City Access Small Town Charm | |
Week Ending - July 13, 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!
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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A Note from the Village Administrator
I hope everyone enjoyed the 4th of July weekend! A huge thank you to the Park District of Forest Park for a fun-filled day and the fantastic fireworks display! The Park's fireworks display is always one of the best around. The views from the ground and the sky are spectacular!
Speaking of the Park, the 16" No Glove National Softball Tournament will be played at the end of July. The tournament brings thousands of people to Forest Park over the four days of play and is a great time to catch up with old friends and make new ones. The Park is always in need of volunteers to help in the beer and food tents. If you are interested in helping out with this award-winning event, call the Park District at 708-366-7500 for more information.
The village's vibrant music scene continues to thrive in the lovely summer weather. On July 16th, don't miss the headline performance by the R&B band Chicago Catz at Groov'n in the Grove, kicking off at 7pm. The Forest Park Arts Alliance stoop sessions across the village have been a hit. The next session will take place July 23rd at 1529 Elgin at 7pm. Living in a village with such lively events is awesome!
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Village Council Meeting Information
The next meeting of the Forest Park Village Council will be held on Monday, July 22, 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 | Are you registered to vote? Whether you're new to the area or have been here for years, your vote matters. Take a moment to verify your voter registration status or register if you haven't already. Registering to vote is quick and easy and ensures that you have a say in the decisions that affect us all. More voter registration can be found here. | News from the Mayor's Office |
Thanks to the Park District for the unforgettable fireworks display this 4th of July! Mayor Hoskins was thrilled to host officials from neighboring municipalities for such an amazing show.
Featured in the photo below are Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin, Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson, Westchester Mayor Greg Hribal, Mayor Rory Hoskins, and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. Photo credit: Todd Bannor
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News from the Department of Public Health & Safety |
CMAP Report on Traffic & Speed Management
Traffic fatalities have been increasing in northeastern Illinois since 2014 and speed was a factor in 35-40% of traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the state. It’s time to slow down to protect all road users. Check out Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for more on how speeding impacts safety and what our communities can do to make roads safer.
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News from the Community Center | |
2024 Groovin in the Grove!!
June 18, July 16, August 20
Join us at The Grove (7824 Madison Street) for an evening of FREE music under the stars. Feel free to bring your own chairs, food and drink. Concessions will also be available for purchase. The fun starts at 7pm.
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Food Pantry
Residents who are in need of assistance with groceries can visit the Forest Park Food Pantry located at the Community Center. For hours and more information, call 708-771-7737.
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News from the Fire Department | |
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.
July 15, Planning & Zoning Commission, 7pm
July 16, Neighborhood Watch Meeting, 7pm
July 18, Safety & Traffic Commission, 7pm
July 22, Village Council Meeting, 7pm
July 24, Environmental Control Commission, 7pm
August 7, Board of Health, 7pm
August 8, Recreation Board Meeting, 7pm
August 12, Village Council Meeting, 7pm
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Environmental Control Commission (ECC)
The next ECC meeting will be held on July 24 at Village Hall.
Click here to view our July newsletter! it's Plastic Free July! Let's pledge to make every month as plastic-free as possible. Say no to single-use plastics by joining the take-out, opt-out challenge! Remember to sip sustainably with a reusable water bottle and bring your own bags for plastic-free shopping. Together, we can make a difference for a cleaner, healthier planet. 🌿💧
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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. Next meeting is July 17.
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Forest Park Theater Presents Pericles!
FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK
AUGUST 9-11 & 16-18
5 PM
THE GROVE AT ALTENHEIM
7824 MADISON ST., FOREST PARK, 60130
This summer Forest Park Theatre will bring to the stage the story of a young prince exiled from his country, who finds, loses and regains his life in his search for a true home.
Pericles is Forest Park Theatre’s fourth free summer Shakespeare performance, a stormy tale of loss, love and redemption. In August, our diverse company will perform at the meadow behind Altenheim.
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Join us at Constitution Court for the Bike Safety Carnival on Saturday, July 13th, from 9-11am! Special thanks to Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin for organizing and donating helmets, and to our sponsors Play It Again Sports and Ride Illinois. We look forward to seeing you there! | |
Pace Bus Hiring Event at Triton
Wednesday July 24, 6pm
More information can be found here.
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Proviso Handyman July 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.
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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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