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Week Ending - December 2, 2022

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 from the Village Council, Public Works, the Forest Park Police, and 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. Have a wonderful weekend!

Village Council News

Village Council Meeting Information

The next meeting of the Forest Park Village Council will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022, at 7pm in the lower level of Village Hall. In December, the Village Council will only hold one meeting.

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.

Powering the Holidays Grant

News from the Village Clerk's Office

2023 Village Calendars - Now Available

2023 Village Calendars are now available. You may pick one up at Village Hall, Ed's Way, the Library, the Community Center and the Park District.

To view or download the Village Calendar online, click here.

Employment Opportunities

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

Police Desk Clerk

Part-Time Parking Enforcement Officer

Bus Driver

Childcare Worker

Crossing Guard

Click here for more information

News from the Department of Public Health & Safety

The Department of Public Health and Safety is researching code in nearby towns that allow a limited number of backyard hens. Click here for more information.

The next Planning & Zoning Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 20th at 7pm in the Lower Level of Village Hall.

News from the Public Works Department

Leaf Removal Program - Ends December 1

The Village of Forest Park offers an opportunity for residents to dispose of leaves during the fall season. There is no added cost for this service. Leaves should be raked curbside into the street gutters and will later be removed by the Village's Public Works Department. The Public Works Department Leaf Removal Program spans from October 1 – December 1 each year. The leaf pick-up schedule follows the street sweeper daily schedule, which is available by clicking here. Residents shall rake their leaves curbside a day before their scheduled pickup day. No grass clippings, bags or tree limbs are allowed. Contractors illegally dumping leaves (from other sites) will be cited.

Residents are also encouraged to bag their leaves and place them by their trash receptacles. Unlimited yard waste removal is included during spring, summer, and fall, in the Village’s refuse contract.

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 Routes

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 October/November/December Senior Newsletter is now available! Click here for information on senior movies, trips and more!

News from the Fire Department

Firefighter Testing- Now Accepting Applications

The Forest Park Fire Department is currently accepting applications for testing. We have 4 immediate openings and an additional 3 in the next 2-3 years. To apply, click here.

News from the Police Department

Package Theft Prevention

Many Forest Park residents have started their online holiday shopping. The increase in online shopping means an increase in packages being delivered to your homes. This also translates to an increase in package thefts. Please take steps to prevent package theft in Forest Park by following the tips listed below.

Citizens Police Academy

The Forest Park Police department is happy to announce the dates for its 2023 Citizens’ Police Academy. Come and meet the men and women of the Forest Park Police Department and learn about a variety of law enforcement-related topics.

Classes will meet in the Village of Forest Park’s Council Chambers on Thursdays from 6:30pm – 8:30pm starting January 12 through March 16, 2023. This program is free, however, there are a limited number of spots available. Click on the links below for more info and the application.

Citizens’ Police Academy Flyer 2023

Citizens’ Police Academy Application 2023

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 December Neighborhood Watch meeting we will be on Tuesday, December 20th at 7pm at the Community Center. Forest Park residents and business owners are welcome to join.

Overnight On Street Parking Restrictions

Just a friendly reminder that there is no parking on any street in the Village between the hours of 2am – 5am. If overnight parking is needed, please call 708-366-7272 between the hours of 8 PM & 2 AM or click here to obtain a parking pass. Only five passes can be issued per month. You will need the license plate number, make of vehicle and where the vehicle is parked.

This parking restriction is in place for street sweeping and the safety of our residents. Please obey the restrictions. Violators will be ticketed and possibly towed.

Community News & Events

Forest Park Holiday Walk & Festival of Lights

Friday, December 2

The Forest Park Holiday Walk & Festival of Lights will be held on Friday, December 2 - 6 to 9 pm.

Live window displays, merchant open houses, horse-drawn carriage rides, balloon twisting, Santa & Mrs. Claus and an Ice Sculpture photo op are just part of the magic of this annual Holiday Walk on Madison Street.

6 PM – Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive by fire engine at Constitution Court to light the tree (Madison & Thomas)

6-8 PM – Visit Santa & Mrs. Claus at Forest Park Bank (7348 Madison)

6-9 PM – Horse-drawn sleigh rides – Beloit & Madison and Elgin & Madison

For more information visit: https://www .facebook.com/events/1502148346891825

Teller's Night

Tuesday, December 6

The Forest Park Arts Alliance and Exit Strategy Brewing Company are pleased to invite you to another Tellers' Night with professional storytellers to entertain and delight you. Smokey Joel will again make available his wonderful hot dogs and chili which pair so well with the ESBC brews. Tuesday, December 6th. Doors open at 6:30pm, Tellers begin at 7:00pm. Entrance is $15, but only $10 for FPAA members.

Mayor Hoskins' Community Toy Drive

Wednesday, December 7

Holiday Makers' Market

Saturday, December 10

Forest Park Public Library receives grant for Senior Programming

The Forest Park Public Library has been selected as a grant recipient by AgeOptions to create an event series for seniors. AgeOptions is a nonprofit organization connecting older adults and those who care for them with resources and service options so they can live their lives to the fullest. Several programs are offered. Please see below or click here for more info.

Electric Vehicle Rebate Program - Round 2

Applications for the second funding round for the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program are being accepted starting November 1, 2022 and must be postmarked on or before January 31, 2023.

To be eligible for a rebate, the vehicle must be exclusively powered and refueled by electricity, plugged in to charge, and licensed to drive on public roadways.

Eligibility requirements for an EV rebate in Illinois include, but are not limited to:

The purchaser must reside in Illinois at time of vehicle purchase and at the time the rebate is issued.
The vehicle must be purchased from a dealer located in Illinois and licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State.
Rented or leased vehicles do not qualify for the rebate.
The vehicle cannot have been the subject of a previous EV rebate under this new program in Illinois.
Only individuals can receive a rebate and can only receive one rebate. Businesses, government units, organizations, and other entities that are not individuals will be denied a rebate. Applicants must ensure that all documentation is in the name of the individual applying for the rebate and do not include or list an entity (i.e., LLC, Inc., Corp.) as the purchaser or co-purchaser of the vehicle or the vehicle registrant.
The rebate amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the vehicle.
The purchaser must retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle purchase date.
The purchaser must apply for the rebate within 90-days of the vehicle purchase date.
Along with the application form, an applicant must submit FOUR types of documentation as listed in Section 4 on the second page of the form:
Copy of the bill of sale, purchase invoice, or purchase agreement from an Illinois dealership;
Documentation of proof of purchase, such as a copy of a canceled check, an invoice or bill showing that the applicable amount has been paid or that no remaining balance exists, or loan documents (depending on the type of sales document used by the dealership, the proof of purchase could be shown on the invoice or agreement, such as a $0 balance owed to the dealer; separate proof of purchase documentation will be needed if the invoice shows that an amount is owed to the dealer and the payment documentation amount(s) will need to match the "owed amount" on the invoice);
Copy of the Illinois vehicle registration or temporary permit provided by the dealership at the time of sale/delivery; and
IRS W-9 or W-8 form (substitutions for these forms using other government documents or financial statements are not acceptable).

As required under CEJA, Illinois EPA will prioritize the review of applications from low-income purchasers and award rebates to purchasers accordingly.

Full details including the Application and Instructions are found

here.

Proviso Handyman December Flyer