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Week Ending - July 8, 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 volunteer opportunities, Electric Vehicle Rebate Program, the Urban Funding Forestry Award, Groovin' in the Grove, animal control, the Proviso Handyman 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!
Village Seeking Volunteers
The Village of Forest Park has several open positions on committees and boards, including the Recreation Board, Safety & Traffic Commission and several more. If you are interested in serving on one of these volunteer committees, please click here for information and to fill out an application.
Electric Vehicle Rebate Program
Application materials for the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program are now available. Applications for the first funding round are being accepted starting July 1, 2022 and must be postmarked on or before September 30, 2022.

To be eligible for a rebate, the vehicle must be exclusively powered and refueled by electricity, plugged in to charge, and licensed to drive on public roadways.

Eligibility requirements for an EV rebate in Illinois include, but are not limited to:
  • The purchaser must reside in Illinois at time of vehicle purchase and at the time the rebate is issued.
  • The vehicle must be purchased from a dealer licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State.
  • Rented or leased vehicles do not qualify for the rebate.
  • The vehicle cannot have been the subject of a previous EV rebate under this new program in Illinois.
  • The rebate amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the vehicle.
  • The purchaser must retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle purchase date.
  • The purchaser must apply for the rebate within 90-days after the vehicle purchase date.
  • Documentation requirements include a copy of purchase invoice, proof of purchase, vehicle registration, and IRS W-9 or W-8 forms.

As required under CEJA, Illinois EPA will prioritize the review of applications from low-income purchasers and award rebates to purchasers accordingly.

Full details including the Application and Instructions are found here.
Urban Funding Forestry Award
The Village of Forest Park was awarded a $9,365 grant to complete a tree inventory of its managed public properties and rights-of-way and develop a management plan for its urban forest. Click here for the official press release on this award.
Groovin' in the Grove is Back!
Groov'n In the Grove is back for the summer! Grab your friends and join us for these FREE concerts!
Community Notice: Animal Safety
Summer heat affects our pets and animals too. Be sure to take proper precautions during the summer months. Cook County offers information on summer safety tips for pets, rabies shots and animal control and can be found by clicking here.
Community Info: Proviso Handyman Department Offerings
Household Hazard Waste Event in Tinley Park
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:



Parking Enforcement Officer
The Forest Park Police Department is seeking Part-Time Parking Enforcement Officer(s); Shifts to be filled are 8:00pm – Midnight or Midnight – 6:00am. The position is a rotating schedule assigned by the Supervisor – 4 days on and 4 days off which includes weekends and some holidays. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include high school diploma (or equivalent), a valid driver’s license, knowledge of basic parking regulations, and good verbal and written skills.
Open until filled. 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.

Public Works- Seasonal
The Forest Park Public Works Department is seeking a motivated and outgoing individual to fill the role of seasonal laborer. This individual will work under the supervision of the Director of Public works on their daily tasks.
Job duties include:
• Operating and competently using a variety of hand tools and power equipment, such as hammer, saw, screwdriver, lawn mowers, weed trimmers and hand tools
• Watering and maintaining landscape areas & public parks, and trimming shrubbery
• Performing all other aesthetic maintenance upon the city parks & buildings
• Cleaning, painting, and performing routine maintenance to public areas and equipment.
• Performing all types of landscape maintenance, installations, and mowing.
• Moving debris, dirt, or other material using a shovel, rake, or other tools
• Have the physical ability to walk long areas, picking up litter
Experience in any/all construction related fields and disciplines are welcomed. Position requires a valid driver’s license. The interested candidate must also be a minimum of 18 years of age and enrolled in a community college or university. The ability to work the entire summer without taking long periods of time off is necessary. $12.00/hour - 40 hours/week.
Position will be open until filled, however submittal by May 15, 2022 is encouraged. EOE. Employment application form can be found here.
Qualified individuals interested in being considered for the position should email the application form and resume if desired to: vmoritz@forestpark.net with Public Works in the subject field.
Community Notice: Water Rate Increase Effective June 1st
Effective 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.
Reminder: Village of Forest Park - Utility Payment System
Take care of your water and sewer bill quickly and efficiently by paying 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.