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Week Ending - December 31st, 2021
Welcome to the final Forest Park e-newsletter of 2021! We hope that you find this e-newsletter informative to keep you up to speed on what's happening in and around Forest Park.

In this week's edition, you will find the latest events, resources and news, including a New Year's event for seniors, a scholarship announcement for Proviso East students, community updates from the Police Department and Public Works and much more.

Have a safe New Year's Eve and we will see you in the new year!
Village of Forest Park - Holiday Hours
In observance of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Village Hall will be closed today. Wishing everyone a safe weekend!
Year in Review - Message From the Mayor
As we wrap up 2021, Mayor Rory Hoskins provides a year-end recap and some insights on what's to come in 2022. Click here to read more.
Senior New Year's Eve Party - (Today)
Join us today at the Howard Mohr Community Center for a New Year's Eve Party for seniors. The event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please see the flyer below for more information.
Winter Snow Advisory (1/1)
Due to the anticipation of a significant snow storm approaching our area Saturday, all snow routes will be in effect. Snow routes are in effect up to 48 hours after the entire snow event has ended. Please help Public Works by obeying the signs. All violators will be ticketed and towed.
Inaugural Christmas in Proviso (Event Recap)
Last week, volunteers from the Village of Forest Park joined Speaker Emanual “Chris” Welch, Senator Kimberly Lightford, Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough and the mayors of Proviso Township at the inaugural Christmas in Proviso. Volunteers spread joy with gifts and food to over 100 Proviso Township families.

A very special thank you to our volunteers who shopped, wrapped and presented gifts to Forest Park families including: Marjorie Adams Clark (committee chair), Commissioner Maria Maxham, District 91 School Board member Shannon Wood, Park District of Forest Park Commissioner Kristen Lyons, Donnalyn Warmbold, District 91 Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez, and District 91 staff Nurys Uceta-Ramos, Jeanette Barnes, Bonnie Doolin, and Laura Dickinson.
New Cook County Covid-19 Mitigation Order, Testing and Vaccine Information
New COVID-19 mitigations will go into effect on January 3rd, 2022 in Cook County. Any individual aged two and older and able to medically tolerate a mask shall be required to wear a mask when indoors in a public place, regardless of vaccination status. Click here for details regarding masks and vaccination requirements in indoor settings.

Forest Park has several free Covid-19 testing locations. Site include 1527 Harlem Ave, 321A Harlem Ave,. and the former CVS building at Harlem Ave and Circle Ave.

Beginning January 10, 2022, the Cook County Department of Health will once again operate a mass vaccination site at the former HOBO location on Roosevelt Road. Covid-19 vaccines will be made available to those eligible.
Forest Park Police Department - Community Update
The Village of Forest Park has experienced a spike in catalytic converter thefts in recent weeks. Arrests have been made, but the community should still be aware that these crimes are taking place. To help prevent this theft from happening to you:
  • Search for Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Devices for your vehicle.
  • Report suspicious activity that you observe.
  • Report if your hear the sounds of power tools and metal being sawed, particularly in the overnight hours.

If you see or hear suspicious activity, please call 911 to report it.
Triton College Campus Holiday Festival of Trees
Get into the holiday spirit with the Triton College Campus Holiday Festival of Trees, a beautiful exhibition of lights and trees lined up along Triton’s Circle Drive. Trees on display are decorated and personalized by Triton College departments as well as community partners.

The holiday drive-through will be open to the public beginning December 10th through January 2nd, 2022.
The mission of the Proviso East Class of 2003 Scholarship Fund is to empower youth to create better futures for themselves, their families and their community. The recipient of the scholarship will exemplify qualities that are characteristic of a well-rounded student and community member. Click here for more information and here for a promotional flyer about the program.
Overnight Parking - Holiday Suspension
Overnight parking restrictions will be suspended the morning of Friday, December 24th, 2021 through the morning of Sunday, January 2nd, 2022. The next time to request an overnight pass is the evening of Sunday, January 2nd for Monday, January 3rd.
Local Hiring Opportunities
The Village of Forest Park and a number of community partners are hiring! Please see the links below for more information and to apply!

 
 
The Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) 
The Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) provides financial assistance for rent to low income-eligible Illinois renters and their landlords who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for the ILRPP are being accepted through Sunday, January 9th, 2022.

Hands-on application assistance is available from the West Cook Homeownership Center office, a program of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center.
Energy Saving Program Information (Ends 12/31)
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, via the UIC Energy Resources Center, is offering free, income-eligible energy-saving kits that include the following items: LED bulbs, an LED nightlight, an advanced power strip, a high-efficiency showerhead, high-efficiency aerators for the kitchen and bathroom, and educational instructions to help residents make one money-saving improvement at a time. Households that received the kits have saved $76/year on their electric bills. 

The energy-saving kits can only be distributed to residents whose incomes fall below the lower 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for their ZIP code. This form will help one determine eligibility requirements. When picking up an energy-saving kit at the Village Hall or Community Center (during regular business hours), residents shall fill out their contact information on a proof of delivery sign-in sheet. Supplies are limited.

The energy-saving kits program runs through December 31st, 2021 and is sponsored by ComEd.

For more information about Residential Energy Efficiency & Assistance Programs offered through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, please click here.
ComEd Bill Payment Assistance
To help customers stay current with their energy bills, and to avoid additional fees, ComEd has two available programs for those needing assistance.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that can help you stay warm in during winter by providing eligible customers with a one-time payment towards your energy bills.

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) is a choice within Illinois LIHEAP to help manage energy bills year-round.

Applications for LIHEAP and PIPP can be submitted online, by phone or in person and are available at your Local Administering Agency. Visit LIHEAPillinois.com for more information.
Proviso Township Handyman Program
The Proviso Township Handyman Program serves homeowners over the age of 60 and disabled homeowners who are residents of Proviso Township. Call them at 708-547-4001 to register for the Proviso Handyman Program. You can also click here for more information.
Village of Forest Park Public Works -
Snow Removal/Cold Weather Tips
The snow season is upon us. Please assist the Public Works Department in its snow removal efforts by obeying the snow route signs. Every street in the village has visible snow route signs. They are typically on the same side as the street lights. Snow routes are in effect up to 48 hours after the completion of a snow event of 2” or greater.
 
When the weather dips below freezing for an extended period of time and during bursts of extreme cold, please follow these tips to help you avoid frozen interior water pipes:
  • Let the water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing.
  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
  • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home or business set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.
  • Shut off outside water.
Christmas Tree Disposal Information
Christmas trees, with no decorations/lights and not in bags, can be put in the parkway for pick up by the Public Works Department. Decorated and bagged trees can be placed out for regular garbage pick-up.
Forest Park Senior News and Resources
The latest edition (January/February/March) of the Forest Park Senior News is now available. Please click here to read more.
How to Get Help from Social Security
Social Security is here to help. Click here for a document to help you understand how to get the service you need and how to prepare yourself for the process.