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Week Ending - June 1, 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



Admin Update: News from the Village Administrator

Warm greetings from the Village Administrator's Office! As the pleasant June weather arrives in Forest Park, I wish to share updates on the efforts our staff have been making behind the scenes at Village Hall.


The Village recently sought bids for the Madison Street Revitalization Project. The bids received were higher than anticipated, leading the Village Council to reject them. Our staff has suggested separating and individually bidding out each component of the project. We remain committed to rejuvenating Madison Street and are exploring all avenues to achieve this goal.


You may have heard about our new budget process. Both long-term and short-term planning are integral to this process, and I am proud to report that the Village Council and Department Heads have wholeheartedly accepted the challenge presented by this new approach. At our upcoming budget meeting, we will scrutinize the proposed budget and make necessary adjustments.


Director Glinke and I have had the pleasure of meeting with several potential business owners interested in establishing their businesses in Forest Park. We are hopeful that in the coming months, we will witness the opening of new establishments. Meanwhile, we encourage you to continue supporting local Forest Park businesses.


With summer approaching, construction activity increases, and our Village is no different. Projects such as alley renovations, lead service line replacements, and the Fillmore Street Brick Project are underway. We urge you to exercise caution when driving through construction zones.


I look forward to sharing more updates with you in the coming weeks!


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, June 10, 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

Block Party Season is Around the Corner


To organize a block party, you’ll need to submit a Block Party Application. Make sure to gather support from at least 75% of households on your block before proceeding with the application.



Garage Sale Season


If you're planning a garage, yard, or estate sale, stop by Village Hall to fill out an application and get your permit – it's a quick and easy process.

For a one family garage or yard sale, it's just $10, while estate sales or multi-family are $25. For yard sales, keep it in the back yard, please!

About posting signs - they can only be displayed on the property hosting the sale. If they end up in the wrong spot, we will need to remove them, and citations could be issued. Happy selling! Application here.

News from the Mayor's Office


Please join us at Village Hall for the Juneteenth flag raising!


Date: Tuesday, June 4th

Time: 11:30 am

Location: Village Hall


Let's gather together as a community to mark this important occasion with pride and unity. We hope to see you there! More information here.


Funeral Procession Townhall Meeting June 12


Please join Representative La Shawn Ford and Forest Park Mayor Hoskins at an important event in our community. As residents may be aware, there has been ongoing concern regarding funeral processions passing through our village. In response to these concerns, we are hosting a townhall event to discuss this issue.

 

The event will provide an opportunity for residents to express their concerns and suggestions regarding funeral processions in our town. Elected officials will be present to listen to your feedback and engage in meaningful dialogue on how we can collectively address this matter.

 

We invite all residents to join us for this discussion on June 12, 2024 at 7 pm at the Howard Mohr Community Center (7640 Jackson, Forest Park). Your input is crucial in helping us find effective solutions to ensure that funeral processions are respectful and considerate of our community.

 

We look forward to your participation and collaboration in finding solutions to this issue.


Juneteenth Pool Party - June 15, 2024

Park District of Forest Park Aquatic Center


Dive into celebration! Join us on Saturday, June 15th, for our annual Juneteenth pool party at the Park District Aquatic Center. The festivities kick off at 6:45 PM, promising a splashing good time for all. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun as we commemorate freedom and unity.

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Join us for the Forest Park Annual Pride Fest! 


Mark your calendars for Friday, June 21 at Constitution Court from 5-8pm. Admission is FREE! Get ready for a fabulous evening filled with live music, dazzling drag performances, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and so much more! Proudly co-hosted by OPALGA+, Play It Again Sports, and Robert's Westside. Let's celebrate love, diversity, and equality together! Note: Constitution Court Parking will be closed on June 21 for the event. To ensure everyone's enjoyment and comfort during Pride Fest, we ask attendees to bring their own camp or portable chair, as seating options may be limited.




News from the Department of Public Health & Safety

Property Maintenance Reminder!


Our property maintenance standards reflect our commitment to maintaining a safe and beautiful village and we want to remind all property owners of their responsibility to uphold certain standards.


Some of the frequently noted problems include:


  • Ensuring properties are free from weeds or grass growth exceeding 10 inches.
  • Keeping garbage and refuse in covered receptacles at all times.
  • Maintaining all exterior surfaces, from siding to windows, in good condition. This includes addressing rotten or decayed wood and eliminating peeling, flaking, or chipped paint.
  • Displaying address numbers on both the street and alley side of the property for swift identification by emergency personnel.


Should a violation be identified or reported to the Department of Public Health and Safety, our inspectors will promptly notify property owners of any code deficiencies. We understand that sometimes issues arise unintentionally, which is why we're here to offer guidance in rectifying them. Time will be provided to address any noted problems. We believe in giving property owners the opportunity to rectify issues before taking further action. However, failure to take corrective actions may result in the issuance of citations. While we hope it doesn't come to this, it's essential for maintaining the standards that make our village a wonderful place to live.

Planting In Your Parkway: Permit Required!


Before you start digging and planting in any parkway, it's important to follow regulations. According to village guidelines, planting any tree, plant, or shrub in parkways necessitates a written permit from the Director of Public Works. So, whether you're dreaming of trees or colorful flowers, be sure to secure your permit before beginning your landscaping project. Fill out this form and email it to building@forestpark.net


News from the Public Works Department



ATTENTION Residents of the 800 & 900 Circle/Marengo Alleys

 

Removal & construction of your new Green Alley will start on Monday, June 10, 2024. Please plan accordingly and visit the Parking Division at Village Hall to obtain your temporary street parking pass. Your garbage & recycle totes should be brought to the front of your residence on collection days. If you are not physically able to bring your totes to the front, the contractor or resident engineer will assist. Please click here for more information. Thank you for your cooperation during construction.

 



 News from the Community Center


2024 Groovin in the Grove!!

June 18, July 16, August 20


Groov’n In The Grove returns this summer! 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.


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.

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.

News from the Police Department

For more information about the Forest Park Police Department, visit their website by clicking here.

Law Enforcement Torch Run!


Join us for the Law Enforcement Torch Run on June 22nd, 2024, at 8 a.m. starting from the Van Buren Parking Lot! 🚓🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Witness the dedication of our law enforcement officers as they carry the torch to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Illinois!

You can also donate and support Team Proviso 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.


June 5, Board of Health, 7pm

June 10, Village Council Meeting, 7pm

June 13, Recreation Board Meeting, 7pm

June 17, Planning & Zoning Commission, 7pm

June 20, Safety & Traffic Commission, 7pm

June 24, Village Council Meeting, 7pm

June 26, Environmental Control Commission, 7pm


*note- beginning June 5 the regular meeting of the Board of Health will be the first Wednesday of the month. June meeting will be June 5 NOT June 11.

Environmental Control Commission (ECC)


The next ECC meeting will be held on June 26 at Village Hall.

Click here to view our June newsletter!



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 June 17.

Community News & Events


Triton College Library Hosts Open House for

Homeschooling Families

The Triton College Library is hosting a free open house exclusively for families who are homeschooling, Tuesday, June 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Library (A Building), 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove, Ill. The Library provides educational materials and resources, study spaces for quiet learning and reading, and expert assistance from a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Families who are homeschooling are invited to connect with others to share ideas and discover new learning opportunities. At the open house, participants have the opportunity to tour the Triton College campus and visit the Cernan Earth and Space Center, Botanical Gardens and more. More information here.



Spend a Day of Fun in the Forest Preserves of Western Cook County


As summer approaches, there is nothing better than exploring the great outdoors. And what better way to get out in nature than right here in the Chicagoland area. Forest Park has a plethora of forest preserves for visitors and residents alike to explore. Miller Meadow is one to note, with walking trails, picnic areas, and unique offerings like an off-leash dog area and drone and model airplane flying field. The off-leash dog area is 7 acres with an outdoor shelter and two miles of trails connected. Explore different Cook County Forest preserves near the Forest Park area and beyond. More information here.



Proviso Township Celebrates Juneteenth


As the nation prepares to celebrate Juneteenth, Proviso Township is proud to announce a series of events aimed at honoring and commemorating this historic milestone in American history. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the day when federal troops freed the last enslaved people in Texas, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Throughout the month there will be an array of activities for all ages, including a Freedom Walk, Flag Raising, festivals and Forest Park will host the annual Juneteenth Pool Party the evening of June 15. More information on the events here.


Proviso Handyman June 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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