708-366-2323 - contact@forestpark.net

Village Council News

Village Council Meeting Information

The next meeting of the Forest Park Village Council will be held on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 7pm in the lower level of Village Hall.

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.

Board of Health

Seeking Volunteers

The Village of Forest Park is seeking qualified individuals to serve on the Board of Health. Interested individuals should complete an application and email it to rentler@forestpark.net or mail/drop off at Village Hall, attention: Rachell Entler, 517 Desplaines Ave. For more information, please call 708-615-6203. For application, click here.

Desplaines Ave Road Construction

IDOT has informed the Village that construction on Desplaines Ave will begin on Monday, March 20 and will run through the end of June. Desplaines Ave Construction will extend from Madison Street to Roosevelt Road. Curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk and ramp replacement, and asphalt removal and replacement will take place. Please be prepared for lane closures, re-routes and longer drive times along this road and surrounding streets. Consider alternative routes when traveling through town.

News from the Village Clerk's Office

Upcoming Board and Commission Meetings

All meetings are held at Village Hall unless otherwise noted.

Dates and Times are subject to change- check village website for most up to date information.

March 21, Neighborhood Watch, 7pm

March 22, Environmental Control Commission, 7pm

Vehicle Stickers Now On Sale

Due by April 1st

Voter Registration & Election Info

March 19, 2023 - Last Day to Register to Vote by Online Application (click here)

March 20, 2023 - First Day of Early Voting

March 30, 2023 - Last Day to Request a Mail Ballot (click here)

April 3, 2023 - Last Day of Early Voting

April 4, 2023 - ELECTION DAY and Last Day Mail Ballots Can Be Postmarked

Senior Citizen Water Rates

The Village Clerk's Office adjusts a senior citizen customer's water/sewer rate once the County's website confirms that both tax bill installments have been paid while utilizing the senior citizen homestead exemption. A senior citizen customer is defined as "...any customer connecting to the village water system at a location utilized as such customer's primary residence and which location has been granted a senior citizens homestead exemption pursuant to section 15-170 of the property tax code (35 ILCS 200/15-170)." If you have questions regarding the Village's Senior Citizen water rate, please call the Clerk's Office at 708-366-2323.

Employment Opportunities



The Village of Forest Park has the following employment opportunities available:

Part-Time Parking Enforcement Officer

Bus Driver

Childcare Worker

Crossing Guard

Click here for more information

News from the Department of Public Health & Safety

Planning & Zoning Commission

The next Planning & Zoning Commission meeting for March has been canceled. The PZC meets as needed on the third Monday of the month at 7pm in the Lower Level of Village Hall.

News from the Public Works Department

Winter Weather Tips

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.

Snow Route Information

Colder temperatures also bring the chance of snow. In the event of 2 inches of snow or more, the Village's snow routes automatically go into effect. Snow routes signs are typically located on the side of the street with the streetlights. There is no parking in the snow routes. If you must park on the street, you must park opposite the snow route. Main streets will be plowed first, followed by side streets. Alleys and sidewalks will be plowed once the streets have been completed. Only streets will be salted. Snow routes will be in effect for up to 48 hours following this snow event.

Cars parked in the snow routes during snow events are subject to being ticketed and towed. Please help us get the word out by telling your guests and neighbors about the snow routes so everyone can be prepared for the upcoming Winter Snow Season. We appreciate your help!

News from the Community Center

Senior Newsletter

The March/April/May Senior Newsletter is now available by clicking here.

Senior Legal Services Presentation

Wednesday, April 5 - 11:00 AM

The Community Center will host the Center for Disability and Elder Law on Wednesday, April 5 at 11:00am. They will give a presentation on addressing legal services for powers of attorney for healthcare and property and living will declarations as well as information about Transfer of Death Instruments. The Community Center is located at 7640 Jackson Blvd. Please call 708-771-7737 for more information.

Senior Bingo

Thursday, March 23

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 708-77-7737.

News from the Fire Department

Warming Centers- Cook County



When temperatures in Cook County are expected to dip to unsafe levels, the County's Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security provides an updated list of warming centers for residents to protect themselves and their families. Click here for a list of Warming Centers in Cook County.

News from the Police Department

Medication Disposal Information

The Forest Park Police Department takes part in the Cook County MEDS Disposal Initiative. If you have expired, unused or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications, you can bring them to the Forest Park Police Department located at 517 Desplaines Ave, Forest Park, IL. Police department staff will dispose of the medication in a secure receptacle that is emptied regularly by staff from the Cook County Sheriff's Police. More information can be found at: https://cookcountymeds.org/

Neighborhood Watch



Neighborhood Watch meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. The group is always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining, please call 708-366-2425 for more information.

The February Neighborhood Watch meeting we will be on Tuesday, March 21st at 7pm at the Village Hall. Forest Park residents and business owners are welcome to join.

For more information about the Forest Park Police Department, visit their website by clicking here.

LOSS (Loving Outreach to Suicide Survivors)

LOSS is a well-regarded non-denominational program funded and run by Catholic Charities. LOSS provides services for anyone affected by suicide loss, including spouses, parents, children, siblings, other relatives, and friends. For more information, click here.

Community News & Events

FPAA Makers' Market

March 25

The Forest Park Arts Alliance will be hosting its Makers' Market on March 25 at the Foundry FP. Shop the unique, handmade wares of local artists and makers from 11am to 4pm. The Foundry FP is located at 7503 Madison St.

6^th Annual Exelon Foundation STEM Academy

Applications are now open and young women interested in STEM are encouraged to apply! 

The 2023 Exelon Foundation STEM Academy is a free, week-long program for current 10^th and 11^th grade girls (class of 2024 and 2025) interested in STEM that live in Northern Illinois (ComEd service territory). These young women will learn from women working in STEM and other leaders; explore sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate change through hands on activities; and connect with like-minded peers. The Exelon Foundation STEM Academy Chicago summer program will be held Sunday, July 9^th - Friday, July 14^th at the University of Illinois Chicago. 

Applications and additional information can be found here! 

Please note that the application deadline is Tuesday, April 11, 2023.  

209 Scholarship Application

Apply until April 8th for scholarships for $1,000 for graduating Proviso Township District 209 seniors. Apply for either Overcoming Adversity with a GPA of 2.0 or Persistence Pays with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Whether a senior is heading to community college, university or a trade program 209 Scholarship wants to provide them an opportunity to succeed! For more information click here.

Cook County Veteran Home Repair Program

Cook County is proud to partner with Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago to provide veterans with free indoor and outdoor home repairs.

The County has allocated $1.25 million to improve at least 30 veteran-owned homes over the next two years. The veteran home repair program focuses on warm, safe and dry priorities or the need for home modification improvements. For more information, click here.

Emerge Workforce Development Program

Cook County Property Taxes Due April 3

The due date for Tax Year 2022 First Installment property taxes this year is April 3. Nearly

1.8 million tax bills will arrive in mailboxes by early March. Typically, First Installment property tax bills are due on March 1. But state lawmakers extended the due date because Second Installment bills were late last year. They are currently available online here.

Proviso East Class of 2003 Fund

The Proviso East Class of 2003 Fund is now accepting applications for this year’s scholarship available to seniors at Proviso East High School. For more information, click here.

Coyote Mating and Whelping Season



Coyote mating and whelping season is upon us and lasts through May. Residents may see an increase in coyotes in residential neighborhoods and streets of Forest Park. Cook County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control reminds us of some tips to keep pets safe during coyote mating season. During this time, coyotes are establishing territories and dens to whelp their pups. Until weaning, coyotes are more visible and more aggressive.

ARC offers the following tips to prevent tragic encounters between coyote and cats or small dogs:

• In areas near heavily wooded parts of Cook County, studies have found that cats can be a substantial part of coyote’s diet. This time of year, it’s essential to keep your cats indoors, especially at night.
• Small dogs are also a food source as well as a perceived threat to coyotes looking after their own pups. This time of year, small dogs should be supervised at all times in the backyard, especially after dark. Barking may also attract coyotes so it’s important to stay alert.
• Switch up your routine. Coyotes are smart and can learn your schedule. If you always let your dog out or take them for a walk at a certain time, coyotes will learn that and be ready at that time.
• Walk dogs on a short leash and always be aware of your surroundings.
• Bird feeders attract small mammals looking for food that may have fallen from the feeder. Raking and removing the bird feed from the ground will keep small mammals and coyote from being attracted.
• Most coyotes are naturally very shy of human contact, but if you encounter a coyote on a walk make yourself very big and loud to scare it away. Carrying and using a whistle, bell or horn can help scare them away as well. You can also jump around and bang on garbage cans or whatever is nearby.

The population of coyotes roughly doubles in Cook County during mating and whelping season. By the end of summer, disease and other events bring the population back to its normal size of approximately 2,000.

For more information about the County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control, please visit: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/agency/animal-and-rabies-control

Forest Park PTO

Click here for info on Forest Park Family Day with the Chicago Wolves

Click here for the Forest Park PTO Newsletter.

ComEd Launches New Assistance Programs

to Help Families Working to Make Ends Meet

Proviso Handyman March Flyer

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:



• Village of Forest Park
• Forest Park Public Library
• Forest Park School District 91
• Village 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