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Week Ending - September 9, 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 on Rib Fest, Jackson Blvd construction, parking lot closures, police officer testing, crossing guard hiring, property tax savings application deadline, Shred It And Forget It event, ComEd incentives, Village Clean Up Day, Community Voices, Cub Scouts, senior newsletter, volunteer opportunities, 988 Crisis Support Hotline, Illinois unclaimed property, 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!

Tell your friends, call your family, the biggest event of the year is back and better than ever! Get ready for a day filled with live music, food and drink, and of course, lots of delicious ribs to sample! September 10th... see you there!

Jackson Blvd Construction Begins September 6

Lindahl Brothers, Inc began work on the IDOT-funded Jackson Boulevard Resurfacing Project (between Madison St. and Desplaines Ave.) on Tuesday, September 6th. Work is expected to take two (2) months, weather permitting. Work will consist of the removal and replacement of the existing asphalt pavement surface, curb & sidewalk spot repairs, detectable warning installation and all incidental restoration within improvement limits.

Forest Park Police Officer - Testing

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.

Submit your application and $20 non-refundable fee application processing fee on-line no later than Friday, October 10, 2022 at 4:00 PM (CST);
Complete Mandatory On-line Written Examination Testing available between Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 9:00 AM and Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 4:00 PM.

For more information click here.

Crossing Guards Needed

The Forest Park Police Department is seeking qualified individuals to fill two (2) positions of Crossing Guard. This position requires flexible hours during days when schools are in session. A background investigation and drug screening will be conducted prior to consideration for the position. Applications available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue or on-line at www.forestpark.net and should be returned to Vanessa Moritz, HR Director, at Village Hall. For additional information, contact Dora Murphy at 708-615-6223 or write dmurphy@forestpark.net.

Applications accepted until position is filled. EOE.

Crossing Guard – Hourly Rate of Pay $16.73 (Hours 7:30am - 8:30am / 2:30pm – 3:30pm; occasional ½ days 7:30am – 8:30am – 11:00am – 12:30pm)

A Fresh Look on Thomas Ave

New vegetation has been planted at the end of the 400 Block Thomas Ave just south of Madison Street. Public Works recently worked with Forest Park business McAdams Landscaping to test the soil and recommend plants that would tolerate soil conditions in that area after previous trees struggled to survive at that location. Plants were purchased locally and then planted by the Village Public Works crew.

Forest Park Community Clean Up Rescheduled

September 24

The Forest Park Community Clean Up has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 24. Volunteers will meet at the Howard Mohr Community Center. All volunteers must register here.

Electric Vehicle Rebate Program

The next funding round for Illinois’ Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program will open Tuesday, November 1, 2022 and close Tuesday, January 31, 2023. At the beginning of the new funding round, a new application form for the second round will be posted to the webpage. EV purchasers must apply for a rebate during an open funding round and within 90 days of the vehicle purchase date.

The current EV Rebate funding cycle, which opened on July 1, 2022, will close Friday, September 30, 2022. Individuals that have purchased an all-electric vehicle since July 1, 2022 can still access and complete an application for a rebate under Illinois’ EV Rebate Program here. Applications for the first funding round must be postmarked on or before September 30, 2022.

The Illinois EPA has a Frequently Asked Questions document for the EV Rebate Program on the webpage listed above. Other questions about the EV Rebate Program may be submitted to EPA.EV@Illinois.gov.

Limited time! Home Energy Savings for Residents!

Take advantage of ComEd's energy efficiency program to save on your electricity bills!

With a FREE home energy assessment from ComEd, you’ll receive recommendations on energy-saving opportunities throughout your home. And you'll receive free, discounted energy-efficient products, all to help you save energy, money, and increase the comfort of your home. Home and virtual assessments are available for your convenience. Households with eligible incomes may qualify for additional products. It's easy! Get your products for free by scheduling your evaluation now.

¡Aproveche el programa de eficiencia energética de ComEd para ahorrar en tus recibos de luz!

Con una evaluación de energía para el hogar GRATIS de ComEd, recibirás recomendaciones sobre oportunidades para ahorrar energía en todo tu hogar. Y recibirás productos de bajo consumo gratis y con descuento, todo para ayudarte a ahorrar energía, dinero y aumentar la comodidad de tu hogar. Las evaluaciones en el hogar y virtuales están disponibles para tu conveniencia. Los hogares con ingresos elegibles pueden calificar para productos adicionales. ¡Es fácil! Obtenga tus productos gratis programando tu evaluación ahora.

Municipal Parking Lot Closure- September 10

On Saturday, September 10, the municipal parking lot behind Forest Park Bank will be closed from 6am to 1pm for the Shred It and Forget It event. This event is sponsored by Forest Park Bank and Flood Brothers.

Shred It and Forget It Event

hosted by Forest Park Bank

Community Voices - September 17- POSTPONED

UPDATE: The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation regrets to inform you that its Community Voices event scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17 at Proviso East High School has been postponed. We are working to find a new date for the event. In the meantime, the Foundation encourages community members to attend the events on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Oak Park Public Library, Main Branch or Tuesday, Sept. 27 online. More information may be found at oprfcf.org/community-voices.

Please contact the Foundation at 708-848-1560 or communityvoices@oprfcf.org with any questions.

Join the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation to ensure that lasting change is driven by and for the community at our series of free, public events. The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation will be sharing our community needs assessment, which reveals the most pressing needs in our area, what the data tells us, and how the power of our community will guide our future to a racially just society. Fellow community members will guide the dynamic, interactive experience.

Saturday, September 17th, is in person at Proviso East High School. Free and open to the public, with limited seating to ensure ample physical distancing. Masks are recommended.

Please register to save a seat!

Childcare will be provided, and special needs will be accommodated. Please contact communityvoices@oprfcf.org to ask questions and discuss your needs.

Protect your neighbors, and your community - please stay home if you are feeling unwell.

988 -24/7 Crisis and Support Number Information

On July 16, 2022, 988 will be the new three-digit number for call (multiple languages), text or chat (English only) that connects people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, where compassionate, accessible care and support are available for anyone experiencing mental health–related distress. The chat feature will be available through the Lifeline’s website. People can use 988 if they are having thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:

Thoughts of suicide
Mental health or substance use crisis, or
Any other kind of emotion distress

People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.

Simply calling or texting 988 or chatting 988lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress.

Community Center News

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

Forest Park Cub Scouts

Forest Park Cub Scouts Pack 109 is hoping to introduce more youth ages 5 - 10 to the Scouting program in town with its “Scales and Tails” event, taking place on September 22nd at the Howard H. Mohr Community Center. This event is free but registration is required. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/snails-and-tails-tickets-409901615767

Cub Scout Pack 109 is an award-winning pack based in Forest Park, Illinois. As a family pack, all genders are welcome. Youth in Scouting learn important lessons about citizenship, character, the outdoors, STEM and more through programs like “Scouting for Food” or participation in Kiwanis’ Peanut Day as well as regular pack and den meetings. There is no need to be associated with any particular church or faith tradition to participate. All who want to be Scouts are welcome to join! If you are interested in learning more or to sign up now visit our website at https://my.scouting.org/online-registration/1b5504bc-15cb-4cf8-aecd-184332160bcf/applicant-type.

For the full press release, click here.

Save the Monarchs by Planting this Fall!

As Fall landscaping cleanup begins, consider planting seeds and plants that attract butterflies in the Spring. Click here to learn more about how you can help save the Monarch Butterfly.

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:

Unclaimed Property- Illinois State Treasurer

The State Treasurer is holding more than 3.5 billion dollars in unclaimed funds for Illinoisans. The State holds these lost funds until they are claimed by either the original owner or their heirs. Property is returned at no cost with the proper identification.

Click here to see if they have your money.