Week Ending - May 27th, 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 the Memorial Day Ceremony, holiday weekend parking information, covid transmission rate changes, the Forest Park Water Quality report, information about the Juneteenth Flag Raising ceremony, community notices from the Public Works department, 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!
|
|
Memorial Day Ceremony Information |
|
On Monday, May 30, the Forest Park American Legion Post #414 will host their annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 2pm at the Park District of Forest Park, 7501 Harrison Street. All are welcome to join officials from throughout the village as they honor military members who have died while serving in U.S. Armed Forces.
|
|
Update: Memorial Day Weekend Overnight Parking |
|
The Overnight Parking Ban will be suspended from 5 am on Friday, May 27th through 5 am on Tuesday, May 31st. Guests will need to call their cars in on Tuesday night in order to park on the street from 2 am to 5 am on Wednesday.
Overnight Parking passes can be obtained by calling 708-366-7272 or online by clicking here.
|
|
The CDC has moved several counties in Illinois, including Cook and Du Page, to the high community transmission level regarding Covid-19. While it is not mandated, IDPH is recommending that people wear facemasks in all indoor settings. Facemasks are optional and supported at Village Hall. |
|
Community Notice: Water Quality Report Available |
|
To view the 2021 Water Quality Report, click here. |
|
Input Wanted: Public Right-of-Ways ADA Transition Plan |
|
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.
|
|
Congratulations Pat Braniff on your retirement! |
|
Last week, the Village said good-bye to Pat Braniff, who retired after 30 plus years working in the Public Works Department. Many of you may have seen Pat planting and watering flowers throughout town as well as plowing our streets during the winter. Pat's years of service to the residents of Forest Park is greatly appreciated and your presence will be missed. We wish you the best as you move on to the next chapter and hope you enjoy retirement! |
|
Last month, the Forest Park Police Department and Mayor Hoskins swore in the newest probationary police officer, Michael Salgado. Officer Salgado will attend the police academy and then complete his field training with Forest Park officers. Welcome to Forest Park Officer Salgado!
Pictured below: Mayor Rory Hoskins, Officer Salgado, Chief Gross and Deputy Chief Chin
|
|
Save the Date: Juneteenth Flag Ceremony |
|
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.
|
|
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:
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.
|
|
Community Notice: Water Rate Increase coming June 1st |
|
Beginning 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. |
|
Community Notice: Parkway Planting |
|
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.
|
|
Community Notice: Lawn Maintenance |
|
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.
|
|
Community Notice: Public Works Announcement |
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Reminder: Village of Forest Park - Utility Payment System Change (Effective Immediately) |
|
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.
|
|
Free White Sox Tickets for Veterans |
|
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. |
|
Upcoming Event: Rep. Chris Welch Annual Job Fair (6/11) |
|
Join State Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch for his annual job fair on June 11th. Please see the flyer below for more information. |
|
Forest Park Senior News and Resources |
|
The newest edition (April/May/June) of the Forest Park Senior News is now available. Please click here to read more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
