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Week Ending - January 7th, 2022
Happy New Year and welcome to the first Forest Park e-newsletter of 2022! To kick off the new year, please find the latest news, resources and events happening in and around Forest Park.

In this edition, you will find resources for Covid-19 vaccinations, rental payment assistance, an immediate change in the utility bill payment system as well as resources to help you get through the winter months.

If there is anything that you would like to see added to this newsletter, please contact us and let us know!
Message From Mayor Hoskins
As we march into 2022, Mayor Rory Hoskins wraps up 2021 and provides some insights on what's to come in the new year. Click here to read more.
RELEASE: State Surges Mass Vaccination Operations Statewide to Meet COVID Booster Demand
Below, please find a press release from the office of Governor JB Pritzker regarding increased mass vaccination operations.

CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker has directed the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to enhance its partnerships with local health department mass vaccination operations throughout the state to help meet the growing demand for the COVID-19 vaccine booster. The State of Illinois is more than doubling personnel and adding at least 100 people to regional sites - administering vaccinations, preparing vaccine doses for clinic personnel, and doing data entry. Read more here.

Beginning January 18th, the Cook County Department of Health will once again operate a mass vaccination site at the former HOBO location on Roosevelt Road. Covid-19 vaccines will be made available to those eligible.
The Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) 
The Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) provides financial assistance for rent to low income-eligible Illinois renters and their landlords who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for the ILRPP are being accepted through Sunday, January 9th, 2022.

Hands-on application assistance is available from the West Cook Homeownership Center office, a program of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center.
Housing Authority of Cook County - Rental
Assistance Programs
The Housing Authority of Cook County administers several rental assistance programs to meet the housing needs of those who need it most in Suburban Cook County. The Opportunity Fund provides students enrolled in Cook County’s district community colleges to access up to $500 per semester in funds to assist with transportation, childcare, and technology. The conventional public housing program consists of over 2,100 owned units of low-income housing.

The Rental Assistance Division services over 13,000 families, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. Other programs such as the Community Choice Program, Family Self-Sufficiency Program, and Homeownership Program are designed to help clients reach their goals and move toward independence. For more information on these programs and many more, click here. 
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 will begin 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.

The e-pay portal will continue to be available only for a limited time. 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.



*Special Note* – The payment links noted above will take you away from the Village’s website.
New Cook County Covid-19 Mitigation Order, Testing and Vaccine Information
New COVID-19 mitigations went into effect on January 3rd, 2022 in Cook County. Any individual aged two and older and able to medically tolerate is required to wear a mask when indoors in a public place, regardless of vaccination status. Click here for details regarding masks and vaccination requirements in indoor settings.

Forest Park has several free Covid-19 testing locations. Sites include 1527 Harlem Ave, 321A Harlem Ave., and the former CVS building at Harlem Ave. and Circle Ave.
Forest Park Police Department - Community Update
The Village of Forest Park has experienced a spike in catalytic converter thefts in recent weeks. Arrests have been made, but the community should still be aware that these crimes are taking place. To help prevent this theft from happening to you:
  • Search for Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Devices for your vehicle.
  • Report suspicious activity that you observe.
  • Report if your hear the sounds of power tools and metal being sawed, particularly in the overnight hours.

If you see or hear suspicious activity, please call 911 to report it.
The mission of the Proviso East Class of 2003 Scholarship Fund is to empower youth to create better futures for themselves, their families and their community. The recipient of the scholarship will exemplify qualities that are characteristic of a well-rounded student and community member. Click here for more information and here for a promotional flyer about the program.
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!

 
 
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.
Proviso Township Handyman Program
The Proviso Township Handyman Program serves homeowners over the age of 60 and disabled homeowners who are residents of Proviso Township. Call them at 708-547-4001 to register for the Proviso Handyman Program. You can also click here for more information.
Village of Forest Park Public Works -
Snow Removal/Cold Weather Tips
The snow season is upon us. Please assist the Public Works Department in its snow removal efforts by obeying the snow route signs. Every street in the village has visible snow route signs. They are typically on the same side as the street lights. Snow routes are in effect up to 48 hours after the completion of a snow event of 2” or greater.
 
When the weather dips below freezing for an extended period of time and during bursts of extreme cold, please follow these tips to help you avoid frozen interior water pipes:
  • Let the water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing.
  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
  • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home or business set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.
  • Shut off outside water.
Forest Park Senior News and Resources
The latest edition (January/February/March) of the Forest Park Senior News is now available. Please click here to read more.
How to Get Help from Social Security
Social Security is here to help. Click here for a document to help you understand how to get the service you need and how to prepare yourself for the process.