708-366-2323 - contact@forestpark.net

News From the Village Administrator's Office

The Village has owned the Altenheim property for nearly 25 years. Over the years, there’s been no shortage of ideas, conversations, and careful research about how this important site might best serve the community. That work continues.

As part of our ongoing efforts, the Village Council will be holding a special public meeting on Monday, August 25 at 5:00 PM at Village Hall, ahead of our regular 7:00 PM Council Meeting. This session is designed to share information and updates on potential future uses for the Altenheim property. We believe it’s important that residents are kept fully informed as decisions are considered. Transparency, thoughtful planning, and long-term community benefit remain at the core of this process.

Whether you choose to attend in person or join us via Zoom, we welcome your interest and engagement as we continue to explore the best path forward for this significant Village-owned property.

Rachell Entler

Village Administrator

Village Council News

The villages of Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest will host the Sixth Annual Tour de Proviso on Saturday, October 4 to promote health and wellness across Proviso Township and its neighboring villages.

This free annual bike ride brings together neighboring communities for a morning of cycling and regional connection across many communities. More information and registration can be found here.

News from the Village Clerk's Office

Labor Day Holiday Schedule

Please note that Village Hall will close early at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 29, 2025, in observance of Labor Day. We will remain closed on Monday, September 1, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 2 during regular business hours.

Overnight Parking

The overnight parking restriction will be suspended for the Labor Day weekend, beginning Saturday, August 30 through Tuesday, September 2. No overnight parking permits will be required during this time.

The next opportunity to request an overnight parking pass will be Tuesday, September 2, for overnight parking on Wednesday, September 3.

News from the Mayor's Office

Mayor Hoskins was happy to help welcome our middle school students on their first day of school, joined by Village Administrator Entler, School Board President Shannon Wood, and Superintendent Dr. Robert Hubbird. Supporting our schools and their continued success remains a priority for the mayor.

During our Village Budget meeting, as part of ongoing discussions to address the budget deficit, a suggestion was raised to explore the possibility of reallocating property tax revenue. Collaboration on all ideas is an essential part of the Village’s decision-making process. However, property tax distribution is determined by the Cook County Assessor’s Office in accordance with state law. The Village will continue to work closely with our community partners to find responsible, realistic ways to manage the Village’s finances, while making sure we protect the services our residents rely on.

News from the Public Works Department

Mark your calendars! Forest Park National Bank will be hosting their annual Shred It & Forget It event on Friday, September 6, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon. This is a great opportunity for residents to safely dispose of sensitive documents and help protect against identity theft. See the flyer below for more details!

News from the Department of Public Health & Safety

Rodent Alert: Important Notice for Village Residents

Due to a recent increase in rodent sightings across the Village, the Department of Public Health and Safety (DPHS) is asking all residents to immediately stop feeding wildlife—including birds and squirrels—as ground feeding has been linked to recent outbreaks.

Key Actions for Residents:

• Stop all outdoor feeding to eliminate food sources.
• Check your property for burrows. If you find any, contact DPHS at 708-615-6276. Residents are eligible for three service calls for $150 through the Village’s exterminator, Smithereen. Note: The Village does not bait on private property.
• Confirm burrows by covering holes with dirt and checking for disturbance after 24 hours. Do not apply poison or bait yourself.
• Remove clutter and weeds near garages and around property—garage slabs are common nesting areas.
• Keep garbage bins sealed and report damaged toters to the Clerk’s Office for a replacement.

DPHS emphasizes that rodent control relies on eliminating food, water, and shelter—most of which are found on private property. Responsible property maintenance is key to preventing infestations.

For questions or assistance, contact DPHS at 708-615-6276 or email building@forestpark.net

More information can be found here.

News from the Fire Department

The start of the school year is a great time to refresh your family’s fire safety knowledge. Please keep these tips in mind:

• Review your home fire escape plan with all family members—and practice it!
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working properly.
• Remind children to keep backpacks and clothing away from heat sources and open flames.

Wishing all students and staff a safe and successful school year!

News from the Police Department

Police Blotter: 08/14/2025 - 08/21/2025

Parking Ticket Amnesty Program

Starting September 1 through November 15, 2025, the Village Police Department is offering a Parking Ticket Amnesty Program to help residents clear outstanding parking citations at a reduced cost.

If you have unpaid parking tickets that have not yet been sent to collections, you can pay just the original fine amount—all late fees and penalties will be waived during this limited-time initiative. This is a great chance to settle old tickets without the extra cost. To check your eligibility or get more details, please contact Lt. Nick Petrovic. You can find more information 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.

August 25, Village Council Meeting, 7pm

August 27, ECC Meeting, 7pm

September 3, Board of Health Meeting, 7pm

September 8, Village Council Meeting, 7pm

September 11, Recreation Board, 7pm

September 16, Neighborhood Watch, 7pm

Community News & Events

Narcan Training at the Library

Thursday, September 4 at 7:30 pm

Join the Forest Park Public Library and the University of IL Extension to learn about opioid use, emerging trends, how to respond to an opioid overdose, and use life-saving nasal naloxone as well as how to use fentanyl test strips.

The University of IL Extension has also partnered with the Cook County Department of Public Health to provide FREE Naloxone and FREE Fentanyl Test Strips to be given out at the end of each program.

More information and registration can be found here.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY CLEAN UP!

Mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Forest Park Community Clean-Up! Join your neighbors in helping to keep our village clean and beautiful.

More details will be shared soon—stay tuned!

September is Suicide Awareness Month — a time to come together, break the stigma, and support mental health for all.

The Suicide Prevention Summit will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This important event will feature expert speakers, community resources, and powerful conversations to raise awareness and save lives.

Let’s show that every life matters — together, we can make a difference.

Proviso Handyman August 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:



• 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