Week Ending - June 3rd, 2022 |
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Welcome to the weekend and the latest edition of 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 on the Juneteenth events, Pride event, Police Department promotions, FAA public comment, information on saplings and rain barrels from MWRD, the Des Plaines River Trail Central Feasibility Study, 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. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony |
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Freedom Talks, Forest Park Juneteenth Committee, and Illinois Juneteenth Committee will host the Forest Park Juneteenth Flag Ceremony on June 6, 2022 featuring special guests including Forest Park's very own Terisa Griffin. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865 when General Order #3 was posted on the door of a little colored church, now known as Reedy Chapel, informing those still being held enslaved that they were free for over 2 1/2 years. Juneteenth celebrates and commemorates Black culture and reinforces Black history as American history. Juneteenth creates space for education, advocacy, and healing. Celebrating Juneteenth provides a unifying platform for all Americans to celebrate our common bond of freedom. All are welcome to attend this community event which will be held outside of Village Hall (517 Desplaines Ave) at 11:30am. |
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Inugural West Villages Juneteenth Parade - June 18 |
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The Inaugural West Villages Juneteenth Parade, parade begins at 11am on Saturday, June 18th at Randolph and Circle Ave in Forest Park and will go west through River Forest and Maywood to Proviso East High School. The parade will conclude with a post-parade event which will include food vendors and entertainment at Proviso East High School. Please join the villages of Forest Park, Oak Park, River Forest and Maywood in celebrating this special day!
Interested in marching in the parade? Click here to email and sign up to march or call 708-450-6366 for more information.
For Juneteenth Parade Sponsorship Opportunities, click here.
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Save the Date: Forest Park Pride Event - June 23
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Forest Park
Pride Event
Thursday June 23rd
5pm - 8pm
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We have seven local businesses who will be hosting a Drag Queen from 5pm - 6:30pm to promote Pride month. A Drag Queen performance with a DJ will follow at Constitution Court from 7pm - 8pm.
Thank you to our sponsors:
MacDaddy Salon
Team Blonde
Jimmy's Place
Scratch on Madison
Play it Again Sports
Twisted Cookie
Brown Cow
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Community Notice: Water Quality Report Available |
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To view the 2021 Water Quality Report, click here. |
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Input Wanted: Public Right-of-Ways ADA Transition Plan |
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The Village of Forest Park is seeking public input on the Village’s draft Public Right-of-Ways ADA Transition Plan. The Transition Plan addresses the public right-of-ways portion of the ADA requirements and not the public facilities portion (Village buildings and other facilities and village owned parking lots.) The draft of the plan can be found here.
Public comments on the draft plan can be emailed to mamidei@forestpark.net . Please put “ADA Transition Plan” in the subject line. You may also call 708-615-6201.
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Congratulations Lt. Miller and Sgt. Heveran! |
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The Forest Park Police Department recently promoted Sergeant Dan Miller to Lieutenant and Officer Jarlath Heveran to Sergeant. Congratulations to Lt. Miller and Sgt. Heveran on their promotions!
Pictured below: Mayor Hoskins swears in newly promoted Lieutenant Dan Miller
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Pictured below: Mayor Hoskins swears in newly promoted Sergeant Jarlath Heveran |
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FAA Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft General Conformity Determination - Public Comment |
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft General Conformity Determination to evaluate the effects of the proposed Airport Terminal Area Plan and changes to air traffic procedures at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The FAA is seeking public comment from Federal, state, and local government agencies and officials, as well as members of the public regarding this Draft Environmental Assessment.
The FAA invites you to participate in the public comment process regarding this Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft General Conformity Determination.
Please click here to view information about the assessment and to learn how you can submit public comment and participate in upcoming Public Workshops regarding the draft document.
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Free Saplings Available From MWRD |
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As a form of green infrastructure, a medium-sized tree can help prevent flooding and improve water quality by absorbing 2,800 gallons of rainfall per year.
Visit MWRD water reclamation plants every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to Noon (through October) to pick up free saplings.
For bulk orders of 50 or more, complete this form. Delivery is not available to individual homes.
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Rain Barrels For Sale through MWRD |
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55 gallon rain barrels are available while supplies last for Cook County residents. These barrels capture rainwater from your roof to save for later use.
You can use rain barrel water to wash your car, water your lawn, or clean work boots and tools. Rain barrel water is naturally free of chlorine, lime, and calcium. Since this water is runoff from your roof, do not drink it.
By keeping this water out of the sewer system, the barrels can help prevent sewer overflows and flooding. Purchase rain barrels through the MWRD website at https://mwrd.org/rain-barrels. Rain barrel deliveries can take up to 30 days from the day an order is placed. If you have questions regarding an order, please contact the vendor at (844) 4-BARREL.
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Des Plaines River Trail Central Feasibility Study |
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Help make Forest Park a better place to walk and bike! The Des Plaines River Trail Central Feasibility Study is exploring how the Des Plaines River Trail can be extended from the CTA Forest Park Blue Line Station and Illinois Prairie Path to the Salt Creek Trail near 26th Street. The study will consider both on-street and off-street routes and guide improvements to sidewalks, paths, intersections, and streets to make it easier to bike and walk through Forest Park, Maywood, Broadview, or North Riverside. Take our short survey to provide your input! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/connectDPRT
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Local Hiring Opportunities |
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The Village of Forest Park and a number of community partners are hiring! Please see the links below for more information and to apply:
Forest Park Police Department
The Board of Police and Fire Commissioners of the Village of Forest Park, Illinois is accepting applications for the position of police officer with the Forest Park Police Department. More information can be found here.
Childcare Worker Positions
The Village of Forest Park has immediate openings for its before and after school programs. Part-time hours are M-F 2-6 p.m. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a driver’s license and also must pass drug screening and background checks. $12.00 per hour.
Applicants may apply in-person at the Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Boulevard, Forest Park, IL 60130. For more information, please contact 708-771-7737. Employment applications are available to download by clicking here.
Utility Billing Clerk
The Village of Forest Park seeks candidates for the union position of Full-Time Administration Utility Billing Clerk. Experience with data entry, customer service, administrative assistant skills, bookkeeping or accounting is highly desired. Must be flexible with work assignments and comfortable working with numbers and the public. Other qualifications include computer skills, the ability to meet deadlines, good knowledge of English language, general office skills, including handling of non-emergency calls and walk-up customer service, and good verbal and written skills.
Starting salary $32,487 annually. Generous Benefits Package, IMRF Pension and 10 Paid Holidays. Open until filled. Eligible candidates will be required to pass pre-employment ability testing and an extensive background check. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark.net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net.
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Community Notice: Water Rate Increase Effective June 1st |
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Effective June 1, water rates for all Forest Park customers will increase by 5%. Please plan accordingly this summer when watering your lawn or garden, filling your pool, doing laundry or dishes, and other daily activities that use larger amounts of water. Be sure to check your toilet and sinks for any leaks that may unknowingly add to an increase in water consumption. This increase reflects an increase in water rates passed along from the City of Chicago from whom the Village of Forest Park buys water from. |
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Community Notice: Parkway Planting |
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As warmer weather is upon us and gardens and landscapes begin to grow, the Village would like to remind residents that if you are planning on placing plantings other than grass on your parkway (the area between the sidewalk and the street), you must submit an Application For Private Parkway Plantings in addition to a waiver. Applications must be notarized and can be mailed or dropped off at Village Hall.
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Community Notice: Lawn Maintenance |
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Spring time and rain mean grasses and weeds grow quickly. As a reminder, the Village of Forest Park requires property owners and occupants to maintain growth of any grasses, thistles, ragweed, and other weeds at a height below 10 inches. Failure to do so can result in a citation.
For more information on trees, shrubs and vegetation within the village, click here.
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Community Notice: Public Works Announcement |
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Yard Waste Disposal
Please be advised that home owners are responsible for disposal of all yard waste and leaves, unless it is during the village’s leaf removal program from October 1st – December 1st. Residents shall not put any debris into the street that can hinder water flow and cause flooding and blockage of catch basin lids. Spring is here and the threat for heavy rain fall is upon us. Please do your part in helping keep our streets clean. Thank you.
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Spring weather also brings out pests and rats are no exception. Follow these tips to help Forest Park control rats in our village.
- Look for rat activity and food sources each month. Take actions right away before things get worse.
- Store trash in rate resistant toters and dumpsters.
- Rinse cans and bottles for recycling.
- Eliminate rodent hiding places such as tall grass, weeds and other ground covering vegetation. Wood piles, lumber, litter, old boxes, and junk in the yard must also be eliminated.
- Immediately clean up after pets in the yard.
- Remove pet food from the garage and store in heavy duty, tight closing containers.
- Clean bird feeders weekly and rake bird food on the ground.
- Weatherize your home. Seal all possible pest entry points.
- Work with neighbors by sharing information and lending a hand to combat pest problems.
- Contact the Village of Forest Park at 708-615-6276 when you see a rat or damaged rat bait station.
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Reminder: Village of Forest Park - Utility Payment System Change (Effective Immediately) |
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Take care of your water and sewer bill quickly and efficiently by paying online.
Beginning in January 2022, the Village of Forest Park began phasing out use of the e-Pay portal and is asking customers to use the Springbrook Civic Pay portal to pay water bills online.
Springbrook Civic Pay portal allows water customers the ability to view and download their water account activity, including usage, billing, and payment history. The portal enables 24/7 access to accounts, with the option for safe collection of payments commonly made in person. Payments are posted in real time. Users can make one time payments or create an online profile, choose paperless billing as an option, and sign up for auto pay.
When you pay your next water bill, please click here to create a new account in Springbrook Civic Pay and have access to bill payment and account history. You will need you water account number when creating your account.
Customers will still be able to use the Village's Automatic Debit Program. This free and convenient method pays your water bill from your checking or savings accounts. For information on the automatic debit program, contact us at 708-366-2323.
*Special Note* – If you sign up for auto pay after the invoice has been generated, it will not go into effect until the next billing cycle.
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Free White Sox Tickets for Veterans |
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Cook County Clerk Karen A. Yarbrough is teaming up with the Chicago White Sox to offer game tickets to Veterans, Active-Duty Military, National Guard and Reserves. See the flyer below for more information. |
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Upcoming Event: Rep. Chris Welch Annual Job Fair (6/11) |
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Join State Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch for his annual job fair on June 11th. Please see the flyer below for more information. |
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Forest Park Senior News and Resources |
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The newest edition (April/May/June) of the Forest Park Senior News is now available. Please click here to read more.
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