Week Ending - November 12th, 2021 |
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Welcome to the weekly edition of the Village of Forest Park e-newsletter! Below, please find the latest news, resources and events to keep you updated on what's happening in Forest Park. You'll find information about a new Chief and Deputy Chief for the Police Department, the efforts to rebuild Interstate 290, hiring opportunities, resources for seniors and more. Have a great weekend! |
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New Forest Park Police Department Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police |
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On Friday, 11/12, Deputy Chief of Police Ken Gross was sworn in as the new Chief of Police and Lieutenant Christopher Chin was sworn in as the Deputy Chief of Police. The swearing-in took place in the Village Council Chambers with Village officials, Village staff, families and friends on hand to witness the ceremony. Congratulations to Chief Gross and Deputy Chief Chin! |
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Rebuild of Interstate 290 |
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Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins joined Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon as a part of the Rebuild 290 Coalition on Tuesday (11/9), to call for federal funds to speed up the reconstruction of Interstate 290 from Hillside to the Byrne Interchange. The Rebuild 290 Coalition is made up of leaders from government, business, organized labor, public policy and community organizations who recognize the urgent need to reconstruct Interstate 290 and are committed to expediting the process. Reconstruction would add $2.6 billion to Cook County's GDP and increase disadvantaged communities’ access to jobs.
Local mayors, business leaders, organized labor representatives, community organizations and economic policy analysts were on hand to discuss I-290’s current state of disrepair as well as the economic, community and safety benefits of the proposed reconstruction. Also in attendance were: Toni Preckwinkle, President, Cook County Board of Commissioners; Jack Lavin, CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce; Robert Reiter, President, Chicago Federation of Labor; Vicki Scaman, Oak Park Village President; William McNary, Executive Director, Citizen Action Illinois; Mary Tyler, Transportation Director, Illinois Economic Policy Institute; Marc Poulos, Executive Director, Indiana-Illinois-Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting.
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Covid-19 Booster Vaccination Event - 11/14 |
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The Illinois Department of Public Health has asked the Forest Park American Legion Post 414 to host a COVID-19 Booster vaccination event. Vaccinations will be given on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The event will take place at 500 Circle, Forest Park.
The Illinois Department of Public Health asks all that want the booster vaccination to bring their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. For more information, please contact Michael Thompson, Forest Park American Legion Post 414, at 708-846-8700.
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Energy Saving Program Information |
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The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, via the UIC Energy Resources Center, is offering free, income-eligible energy-saving kits that include the following items: LED bulbs, an LED nightlight, an advanced power strip, a high-efficiency showerhead, high-efficiency aerators for the kitchen and bathroom, and educational instructions to help residents make one money-saving improvement at a time. Households that received the kits have saved $76/year on their electric bills.
The energy-saving kits can only be distributed to residents whose incomes fall below the lower 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for their ZIP code. This form will help one determine eligibility requirements. When picking up an energy-saving kit at the Village Hall or Community Center (during regular business hours), residents shall fill out their contact information on a proof of delivery sign-in sheet. Supplies are limited.
The energy-saving kits program runs through December 31, 2021 and is sponsored by ComEd.
For more information about Residential Energy Efficiency & Assistance Programs offered through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, please click here.
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Local Hiring Opportunities |
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The Village of Forest Park and a number of community partners are hiring! Please see the links below for more information and to apply!
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After a successful pilot program that began in March of 2021, the Forest Park Police Department will roll out its body worn camera program to all officers on November 1, 2021.
By the Illinois Compiled Statutes, a village the size of Forest Park is to implement a body worn camera program by January 1, 2025. With the program being rolled out in November 2021, the Forest Park Police Department is in compliance with state law several years early and before many local jurisdictions.
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Many residents might now be able to use their mobile phones to send text messages to 911 during emergencies. The ‘Text-to-911’ service is available to AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon customers living in or traveling through the West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch service area, which serves the villages of Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest.
This service is especially beneficial for individuals with speech or hearing impairments. For more information about this service, including how and when it should be used, click here.
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ComEd Bill Payment Assistance |
To help customers stay current with their energy bills, and to avoid additional fees, ComEd has two available programs for those needing assistance.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that can help you stay warm in during winter by providing eligible customers with a one-time payment towards your energy bills.
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) is a choice within Illinois LIHEAP to help manage energy bills year-round.
Applications for LIHEAP and PIPP can be submitted online, by phone or in person and are available at your Local Administering Agency. Visit LIHEAPillinois.com for more information.
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Senior News and Resources |
The Forest Park Senior newsletter is now available. Click here to read the latest news and resources for seniors.
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Public Works Leaf Removal Program |
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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.
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Forest Park Chamber of Commerce Holiday Walk - 12/3 |
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