Big City Access Small Town Charm | | |
Week Ending - October 11, 2025
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!
Joke of the week: How did the cat get all A's on her report card?
She was the teacher's pet.
| News From the Village Administrator's Office | |
Last night, the Kiwanis Club of Forest Park hosted the annual Ed O’Shea Award Dinner at Jimmy’s Place. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces come together to celebrate this year’s honorees — Anthony Calderone, Karen Dylewski, and Sharon O’Shea, Ed’s daughter. The Kiwanis Club established this award to recognize individuals who demonstrate outstanding service to local children and families — a true reflection of Ed’s legacy of dedication and community spirit. Congratulations to all of the recipients for their continued efforts to make Forest Park a better place to live and raise a family. Events like this remind us how special it is to live in a village where so many people volunteer their time and talents to help others.
I also want to remind residents to save the date for the annual Cindy Lyons Health Fair on Wednesday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Howard Mohr Community Center. The event will feature flu shots, vaccines, wellness checks, and DMV services — all in one convenient location. This fair is a great opportunity to take care of your health and connect with local service providers. Please spread the word to friends and neighbors, and check below in this newsletter for more details. Staying healthy and informed helps keep our entire community strong!
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Rachell Entler
Village Administrator
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Village Council News
The next regular Village Council Meeting will be Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 7pm at Village Hall. The zoom link can be found here.
| News from the Village Clerk's Office | |
Village Hall will be closed on Monday, October 13, in observance of Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
📢 Notice from the Village Clerk’s Office
Starting Tuesday, October 14, the Clerk’s Office will be closed daily from 2 PM to 3 PM due to a temporary staffing shortage.
🚗 Parking & Records will remain open during this time to assist with police and parking matters.
We appreciate your understanding and patience! 🙏
| News from the Mayor's Office | Last week, Mayor Hoskins attended the annual Tour De Proviso Bike Event, where residents from throughout Proviso Township came together to ride and celebrate community spirit. This year’s event was proudly hosted by Forest Park, Oak Park, and River Forest, bringing together cyclists of all ages to enjoy a morning of fitness, fun, and fellowship. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and new participants sharing in the excitement of this growing township tradition. | The Mayor also hopes residents will mark their calendars for one of Forest Park’s favorite fall traditions—the annual Casket Races on October 18, with all the spooky fun kicking off at 9 a.m. on Madison Street. Stick around afterward for trick-or-treating on Madison, where local businesses will be handing out candy and celebrating the Halloween spirit. Mayor Hoskins looks forward to seeing residents, families, and visitors come together once again to enjoy a full day of fun, creativity, and community pride. | | |
News from the Public Works Department
🌳 Tree Planting Ceremony – Thursday, October 23 at 9:00 AM 🌳
Updated Location!! Join us at 902 Ferdinand
Celebrating Our Grant from Trees Forever
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News from the Department of Public Health & Safety
As we move into mid-October and the temperatures begin to drop, now is the perfect time to get your annual flu shot! Protecting yourself and those around you from seasonal illness helps keep our community healthy through the fall and winter months. Remember to wash your hands often, eat well, stay active, and bundle up as the weather cools off. Mark your calendars for the Cindy Lyons Health Fair on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Howard Mohr Community Center. The event will feature vaccines, health screenings, and on-site DMV services. More details will be shared soon—don’t miss this great opportunity to take charge of your health!
| | News from the Fire Department | | |
October is Fire Prevention Month
October is Fire Prevention Month. This is a time to raise awareness about fire safety and help keep our homes, families, and community safe.
Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing helpful tips each week to remind residents of simple but important steps. A little preparation can make a big difference in an emergency.
Weekly Tip: Kitchen & Cooking Safety
Never leave cooking unattended. Keep flammable items like towels and paper away from the stove, and make sure pot handles are turned inward to avoid spills.
| | News from the Police Department | | |
Board of Health
There are many things to observe and/or celebrate in October. It is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a call to advocate for survivors and their needs, refer for assistance, and listen without judgement. This issue affects over 10 million people annually in the US, disproportionately women and children, and is fatal for many. Volunteer at Sarah’s Inn in Forest Park, or donate. Sarahsinn.org
It is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an issue that results in over 300,000 new cases every year in the US and touches 1 in every 8 women in their lifetimes. You can wear a pink ribbon or clothing to signify support, or donate to an organization like the American Cancer Society. Donate.cancer.org
October also celebrates Indigenous People’s Day on 10/13 this year. Did you know this area is the ancestral homeland of the Kickipoo, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Potawatomi, Myaamia and Ochethi Sakowin peoples? .3% of Forest Park residents are American Indian/Alaskan Native. You can watch Indigenous films or read authors, or donate to the American Indian College Fund. Collegefund.org
World Mental Health Day is 10/10 and you can encourage self care or attend the Forest Park Cindy Lyons Health Fair on 10/29.
National Coming Out Day is 10/11 and you can express support by wearing rainbow symbols, watching an LGBTQ+ program or donating to the Human Rights Campaign. www.hrc.org
We are a community, and country, of mutual aid, and together we can get through these stressful times. At the very least, buy your neighbor a coffee to celebrate National Pumpkin Spice Day!
Susan Buss, LCSW
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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 14, Village Council Meeting, 7pm
October 15, Safety & Traffic Commission, 7pm
October 21, Neighborhood Watch, 7pm
October 22, Environmental Control Commission, 7pm
October 27, Village Council Meeting, 7pm
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Arts & Culture in Forest Park
Don’t miss the second Tellers’ Night! Presented by the Arts Alliance of Forest Park, this popular storytelling event returns on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Robert’s Westside. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of captivating stories from featured tellers Margaret Burk, Donovan Harvey, Wayne Lerner, Ursa Miles, Victoria Reeves, and Megan Wells, with Susan Rohde as host. Come out for a night of creativity, community, and connection right here in Forest Park!
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Forest Park Public Library Upcoming Seminars!
Get Ready for Medicare's Open Enrollment- Wednesday, October 15 at 1 pm
Sign Up
Understanding Social Security- Tuesday, October 21 at 7 pm
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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.
| | 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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