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, April 24, 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.

Volunteer Boards and Commissions

Seeking Volunteers

The Village of Forest Park is seeking qualified individuals to serve on the Youth Commission, Diversity Commission and 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.

April 18, Neighborhood Watch, 7pm

April 20, Safety & Traffic Commission, 7pm

April 26, Environmental Control Commission, 7pm

Vehicle Stickers

Due by April 1st

Vehicle Stickers must be displayed by April 1st. Late fees will be assessed starting May 1st.

There are several ways to purchase:

• Renew online** by clicking here. When using this link, do not create an account, use as a guest and do not enter VIN.
• Use the secure Village Drop Box located outside Village Hall. Your sticker will be mailed to you.
• Mail your renewal in to 517 Desplaines Ave. Your sticker will be mailed to you.
• In-person - Clerk’s Office Hours* are Monday- Friday, 8am-5pm.

If you need to come after hours, forms will be available in the Village Hall Lobby. Ring the doorbell to be buzzed in, pick up a Vehicle Sticker form, and place your completed form and payment in the Village’s secure Drop Box located outside of Village Hall.

**New Vehicle Sticker registrations must be done in person or placed in the secure drop box.

If you have questions or need assistance, please email contact@forestpark.net or call 708-366-2323.

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:

Accounts Receivable Clerk

Public Works - Seasonal

Dispatcher (WESCOM)

Part-Time Parking Enforcement Officer

Bus Driver

Childcare Worker

Crossing Guard

Click here for more information.

News from the Department of Public Health & Safety

Mental Health Expo-Connect 2023

Saturday, May 6th

The Village of Forest Park will host a Mental Health Expo on Saturday, May 6th from 10am - 2pm at the Howard Mohr Community Center. Click here for flyer.

If you are a social service or mental health service provider that would like to participate, please email Rachell Entler at rentler@forestpark.net or call 708-615-6203.

News from the Public Works Department

SAVE THE DATE

Arbor Day Celebration

April 28

9:00 am

Forest Park will celebrate Arbor Day with a tree planting at the Forest Park Public Library. Details to come soon.

SAVE THE DATE

Dog Park Ribbon Cutting

Saturday, April 29

11:00 am

Electronics Recycling

May 22- May 27

The Public Works yearly bulk pick-up and electronics recycling event will take place Monday, May 22 through Saturday, May 27, 2023. During that time, Village residents are encouraged to put any bulk items on their parkway to be hauled away. All electronics, batteries and oil can be brought down to the Public Works facility at 7343 W. 15th St. for disposal. Proof of residency is required. Public Works will be open that week from Monday – Saturday, 7am-3:30pm. Paint & light bulbs are not allowed. If you are trying to dispose of paint, you can open the lid and let it slowly dry or add cat litter to speed up the process. At that point, Republic Services will haul it away with your other trash in the alley. Light bulbs can be disposed of at these ComEd approved facilities. Home Depot will also accept small amounts of light bulbs.

Yard Waste Disposal

Yard Waste pick up will resume in April. Please be advised that homeowners are responsible for disposal of all yard waste and leaves, unless it is during the village’s leaf removal program from October 1 – December 1. 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. The Village’s street sweeper is out nightly cleaning the curb lines to allow for adequate water flow into the catch basins. The Village’s Vac truck is also out daily cleaning catch basins to allow for proper rainwater storage and flow into the Village’s storm and combination sewer main pipes. Please do your part in helping keep our streets clean. Thank you.

News from the Community Center

Senior Newsletter

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

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 708-771-7737.

News from the Fire Department

Outdoor Grilling



The nicer weather means grills will be fired up. The Fire Department reminds everyone that grills must be placed on non-combustible surfaces at ground level and are not allowed on balconies (Ord. 5-2-11).

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 April Neighborhood Watch meeting we will be on Tuesday, April 18th 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.

Boards & Commissions

Environmental Control Commission (ECC)

April 22 is Earth Day. The ECC reminds residents to look for ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle throughout your home.  Turn off electronics and lights when not in use; reduce paper waste and recycle paper including mail, utilize online billing; turn off the faucet when brushing teeth or doing dishes; compost food waste; set the refrigerator temperature between 38 F and 42 F; and replace your incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. Every little bit helps in making your home green!

Recreation Board



The Recreation Board is planning for a Village-Wide Spring Clean Up Day on May 27th. Stay tuned for more details to come!

Planning & Zoning Commission

The PZC meets as needed on the third Monday of the month at 7pm in the Lower Level of Village Hall. Please check the website for more information.

Community News & Events

48-Hour Film Challenge and Red Carpet Gala Film Festival

Forest Park Arts Alliance

The Forest Park Arts Alliance is thrilled to bring a new project to town: The 48-Hour Film Challenge and Red Carpet Gala!

Teams in the categories of Junior High, High School, and Adult will register by May 11, and on Friday, May 12 will receive the assignment parameters (line of dialog, prop, and film genre) for a short video. They will then have 2 days to write, produce, film and edit a 5-10 minute film and turn it in 48 hours later. The films will be reviewed and a public showing will occur the next weekend, in the style of a Red Carpet Gala. There is a nominal fee ($10 for students, $25 for adults) to encourage completion of the project.

The Red Carpet Gala and Film Festival will be Saturday, May 20, at 7:00 p.m.

Additional artists and musical entertainment will be featured.

For more information or rules and a registration form, please email forestparkarts@gmail.com with “48-Hours” in the subject line.

Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration Gala

Sunday, April 23

Forest Park Theatre in collaboration with Piacere Mio Restaurant invites you to Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration Gala - Sunday, April 23, 2023, 12-2pm

Forest Park Theatre and Piacere Mio Restaurant, two new additions to the Forest Park cultural scene, are teaming up to celebrate Shakespeare, and raise funds for the theatre’s annual free Shakespeare-in-the-Park production.

Join us for handmade pasta and salad, cash bar, readings from Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays, and birthday cake.

Where: Piacere Mio Italian Restaurant

7636 Madison St, Forest Park, IL 60130

Tickets: $60. A $2.81 fee will also be added to each ticket to cover Paypal fees. Your contribution is tax deductible.

Email forestparktheatre1@gmail.com with questions.

Proviso Leyden Council of Community Action (PLCCA)

Job Club



Need extra help looking for employment? Visit PLCCA every Wednesday for Job readiness training, resume building, job search help, networking resources, peer to peer support and more.

For more information call 708-450-3500, email etsjobs@plcca.org or visit www.plcca.org.

Illinois Youth Investment Program



Illinois residents between the ages of 16-24 can apply to get connected to hundreds of companies for full-time employment or internships. Competitive pay starting at $15/hour or more based on employer.

For more information, contact the Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, Inc (PLCCA) at 708-450-3500.

Hospitality Hires Chicago

Tuesday, April 18

Cook County is proud to be a sponsor of the sixth annual Hospitality Hires Chicago (HHC) on Tuesday, April 18, at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago from 9 am to 3 pm. Other sponsors include Choose Chicago, The Magnificent Mile Association, Illinois Restaurant Association, Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, Chicago Loop Alliance, and Near South Planning Board. 

Both employers and job seekers must pre-register. The fee for employers to register is $200; there is no fee for job seeker registration. Employers should register by Wednesday, April 5, and job seekers should register by Wednesday, April 12. This year’s theme is “hospitality is a state of mind.” The event is expected to include 60 employers, such as Amtrak, Sodexo Live, and Harry Carays Tavern. Employers will come prepared to make some conditional job offers on the spot. 

Created in 2012, The Partnership is the non-profit umbrella organization that operates the largest publicly funded workforce system in the country here in Chicago and Cook County. To date, HHC has helped more than 900 people receive conditional job offers. You can reach The Partnership’s network by visiting their website at chicookworks.org or calling 800-720-2515. 

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

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

ComEd Launches New Assistance Programs

to Help Families Working to Make Ends Meet

Proviso Handyman April 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