Big City Access Small Town Charm | |
Week Ending - September 9, 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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As residents are all too aware, Monday brought an incredibly tragic event to our community, with four innocent lives lost in a senseless act of violence. We are grateful for the swift response from our Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, which led to the suspect being charged with four counts of first-degree murder and the recovery of the firearm involved. The Forest Park CTA Blue Line terminal has long been a point of concern, and in light of this tragedy, the Mayor and I have been working diligently to secure resources for the victims' families and to advocate for state funding.
Earlier this week, the Mayor and I spoke with the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to explore what federal resources and support could be provided to Forest Park. We are committed to leveraging every available resource to address the immediate and long-term needs of our community. Our focus is on implementing additional safety measures, including more cameras and resources to address crime, drug use, and unhoused encampments.
We understand that addressing these complex challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, and we are determined to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to enhance the safety and well-being of our Village. We remain steadfast in our commitment to improving the security and safety of our community.
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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, September 9, 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.
| News from the Mayor's Office |
Save the Date: Leaf Pick Up Townhall
Residents are invited to attend a Leaf Pick Up Townhall on Tuesday, September 24, at 7 PM at Village Hall. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the current leaf pick-up program's pros and cons and explore alternative ideas. Village staff, along with members of the Forest Park Environmental Commission, will be present to offer insights and answer questions. Participation and input from the community are encouraged.
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News from the Department of Public Health & Safety |
We’ve recently received reports of skunks and other animals in the Village. As the season changes, it's important to be mindful of these creatures. If you encounter a skunk near your property or while out walking, remain calm and avoid startling the animal; give it plenty of space to move away on its own. To prevent attracting these and other rodents, ensure your garbage lids are secure and avoid overflowing trash, which can be a tempting food source. If you continue to experience problems with wildlife, consider contacting a qualified pest control professional to assess and address the situation. Let’s work together to keep our community safe and tidy! Additional information can be found here.
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News from the Public Works Department
Public Works is planning our Fall tree planting for late October and early November, and we’d love for you to get involved. You can request a new tree to be planted on your parkway, helping to enhance our community’s green spaces.
To request a tree, you can choose from a list of options provided by the Village’s preferred nursery or let our Director of Public Works select the best tree for you. Please make sure your parkway meets the necessary criteria, including enough space, no obstruction from stumps or utilities, and proper distance from existing trees.
Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to submit yours by September 20, 2024. If you miss this deadline, your request will be considered for our Spring 2025 planting.
For more information or to make a request, please email sstella@forestpark.net.
Help us make our community greener—request your tree today!
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News from the Community Center | |
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.
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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.
September 4, Board of Health Meeting, 7pm
September 9, Village Council Meeting 7pm
September 16, Planning & Zoning Meeting, 7pm
September 17, Neighborhood Watch, 7pm
September 19, Safety & Traffic Commission, 7pm
September 23, Village Council Meeting, 7pm
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Recreation Board
Save the Date!
Fall Community Clean-Up
When: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Where: Howard Mohr Community Center
Time: 9 AM
Registration required: click here.
Pickers and gloves will be available while supplies last. Volunteers are encouraged to wear sunblock, a hat, closed-toed shoes, and bring a reusable water bottle. Treats will be available for volunteers after the clean-up, courtesy of Twisted Cookie!
Help us keep our community clean! For additional information or questions, contact the Recreation Board at recboard@forestpark.net
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Board Of Health
September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, with National Suicide Prevention Week taking place from September 8-14. Suicidal thoughts can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, and while they are unfortunately common, they should never be seen as normal. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of suicide prevention, shifting public perception, and spreading hope. For more information click here.
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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.
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Invasion of the scarecrows is back!
The Historical Society of Forest Park and the Forest Park Arts Alliance are excited to bring back the Invasion of the Scarecrows this October! This year’s event will feature 300 scarecrows—up from 100 last year!
Here’s how to join the fun:
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Order Your Kit: Purchase online here.
- Pick Up Your Kit: Collect it at Garage Galleries on August 24 or at the Park District’s Fall Fest on September 7 (details to follow).
- Create & Display: Decorate and display your scarecrow(s) in October.
Reuse last year’s scarecrow for just $5. New kit with blank face scarecrow $35; Child scarecrow $25; or order a face painted by an artist $45.
New Kits include everything you need!
Vote for your favorites and compete for prizes in categories like Most Historic, Most Artistic, and more. Plus, there’s a special award for the block with the highest participation!
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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. 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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