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Week Ending - September 30, 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!

SAVE THE DATE

OCTOBER 8, 2022

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Village Council News

Village Hall Offices will be closed on Monday, October 10, 2022

The next meeting of the Forest Park Village Council will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 7pm in the lower level of Village Hall.

The Safety & Traffic Commission presentation given at the September 26, 2022 meeting can be found here.

Backyard Hens Townhall Meeting

NEW DATE & LOCATION

The Commissioner of Public Health and Safety Maria Maxham and the Village of Forest Park will be hosting a townhall meeting to discuss the possibility of changing current code to allow a limited number of backyard hens (no roosters). The meeting is open to the public. Presentations will include code from nearby towns that allow hens and information on safe chicken-keeping. There will be a chance for resident questions and comments. The meeting has been moved to the Lower Level of Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave., on October 18th at 7 p.m.

Rep. LaShawn Ford visits Forest Park Officials

IL House Representative LaShawn Ford recently met with Mayor Rory Hoskins and Commissioners as well as Village Staff to discuss issues in Forest Park relating to the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force. Topics discussed included the CTA Blue Line and Green Line end of line terminals, funeral processions, and mental health and homelessness in Forest Park. Pictured below, Rep. Ford takes a tour lead by Police Chief Ken Gross of the new Flock Camera System which was installed at several locations in town this past spring.

Pictured above: Rep. Ford takes a tour lead by Police Chief Ken Gross of the new Flock Camera System which was installed at several locations in town this past spring.

Pictured above from left to right: Village Administrator Moses Amidei, Police Chief Ken Gross, Rep. LaShawn Ford, Mayor Rory Hoskins

A Message from the Village Clerk

With elections coming up this fall, those who want to vote need to be registered have three ways to register:

Click here to register to vote online.

Click here to print out a paper form to mail in.

To register in person, visit the Village of Forest Park Clerk's Office during regular business hours. You must bring 2 forms of identification, one of which has to have your current address and one has to be a photo ID.

A Message From Public Works...

Leaf Removal Program

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.

Jackson Blvd Construction

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.

What are these?

The Village of Forest Park has started the process of painting the water tower on the north end of town. In the process, the water tower needed to be drained. This adds pressure to the water system when the pumps turn on. These devices attached to random hydrants are called pressure relief valves. They are designed to blow off any additional pressure to the water system to prevent water main breaks. There is one at 611 Harlem (has a slow leak) and one at 7419 Franklin.

Upcoming Alley and Sidewalk Improvements

Beginning Monday, October 17th, the 1100 Elgin - Harlem Alley will begin alley improvement construction.

Beginning Monday, October 31st, the 400 Elgin -Harlem Alley will begin alley improvement construction.

Sidewalk replacement will take place this Fall. For a list of sidewalks that will be replaced, click here.

Please be cautious when travelling in and around theses areas as large trucks and machinery will be present.

Community Center News

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

News from the Police Department...

Job Opportunity: Police Officer

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.

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 anytime 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.

Attention Vehicle Owners

Owners of some 2011 - 2021 Kia models and some 2016-2021 Hyundai models should be aware that there is a keying issue with these autos that make them easy to steal and vulnerable to theft especially with information being put forth on social media showing the glitch that makes certain autos easy to steal. Owners of Kia and Hyundai autos are encouraged to lock their autos and park in well-lit areas in an effort to curtail thefts. Owners are also encouraged to purchase and utilize auto theft prevention devices such as "The Club" to help discourage thieves from stealing Kias and Hyundais in our community.

Community News

Des Plaines River Trail Central Feasibility Study

Help make Forest Park a better place to walk and bike! The Des Plaines River Trail Central Feasibility Study is exploring how the Des Plaines River Trail can be extended from the CTA Forest Park Blue Line Station and Illinois Prairie Path to the Salt Creek Trail near 26th Street. The study will consider both on-street and off-street routes and guide improvements to sidewalks, paths, intersections, and streets to make it easier to bike and walk through Forest Park, Maywood, Broadview, or North Riverside. Take our short survey to provide your input! Click here to take the survey!

Forest Park PTO Fundraiser

The Forest Park Parent -Teacher Organization will be hosting two fundraisers in the month of October. Click on the links below for more information.

Junction Diner Fundraiser - October 12

Portillo's Fundraiser- October 24

Proviso Handyman Information

IDPH Public Experience Survey

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.