News Flash

Officer Tim Jones stars in police lip sync video

Earlier this year, videos of police departments across the country putting on their best lip-syncing faces began to surface on the internet. The craze, dubbed the #lipsyncchallenge, showed the lighter side of policing as officers provided entertaining vis...

Hydrant flushing begins October 1

Hydrant flushing will be conducted Oct. 1 through Oct. 19. Flushing takes place on weekdays at 8:30 a.m. No flushing is done on weekends. Hydrants are flushed to ensure that water does not stagnate in the system. During flushing, your water may become dis...

Park Forest Fire Department assists Lansing after semi crashes into building

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, while the Park Forest Fire Department was preparing for a moment of silence in memory of the 9/11 attacks, a request for the MABAS Division 27 Technical Rescue team was dispatched to assist the Lansing Fire Department after a semi tr...

Petition packets available for next April 2019 Park Forest election

Park Forest Village Clerk Sheila McGann today announced that the first date for candidates to circulate petitions for the office of Village mayor, Village trustee or Library trustee is Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. The first day to file petitions is Dec. 10. T...

Village seeks additional resident feedback with survey

In June, Park Forest announced its intent to conduct surveys via Polco, an innovative engagement platform where residents can directly provide input to the local government decision-making process. By using Polco, the village looked to make public partici...

Main Street Music Fest set for Saturday, Sept 15

The Village of Park Forest, in conjunction with the 62nd Annual Park Forest Art Fair, will host a music festival on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.The lineup of bands performing includes an eclectic mix of renowned artists from Chicago and the ...

211th Metra commuter lot to close, users directed to near lot

The 211th Street Metra commuter parking lot, owned and maintained by the Village of Park Forest, will be officially closed at the end of the businesses day on August 31.Park Forest anticipates this to be a permanent closure unless other circumstances call...

Southern Cook County Mosquito Abatement District: Risk of West Nile high in area

The South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District last week released a report detailing the risk of West Nile Virus being particularly high in the area.Per the report, mosquito pools have been testing positive at a high rate throughout Cook County with 41...

Children to be required by law to ride in rear facing car seats until age 2

A new law was signed on Friday and will go into effect in January 1, 2019 that requires all children must ride rear facing in a car seat until the age of 2.It is well documented that the safest position for a young child to ride is in a rear facing car se...

Village adopts new public engagement platform, seeks public input

The Village of Park Forest is excited to announce the launch of Polco, an innovative engagement platform where residents can directly provide input to the local government decision-making process. By using Polco, the village is making public participation...

Growing Green Recycle Fest on July 28 allows residents convenient, responsible disposal

The Third Annual Growing Green Recycle Fest takes place on Saturday, July 28, from 8 a.m. to noon, in downtown Park Forest at the corner of Main Street and Cunningham Drive. The annual event allows Park Forest residents to dispose of a multitude of items ...

Download the Village of Park Forest app today

The Village of Park Forest mobile app is now available! This new digital tool provides an on-the-go connection for individuals seeking resources, news, and information from their smart phones or tablets.

The Village of Park Forest app can be used to enjoy ...

Main Street Nights, free entertainment downtown this summer

A summertime favorite in Park Forest has returned. Main Street Nights, the free outdoor concert series, takes place every Wednesday evening in downtown Park Forest.Grab a blanket and position yourself in the Park Forest Downtown Village Green (Cunningham ...

Park Forest budget review sessions set for May and June

The Village of Park Forest has approved the budget review schedule for the proposed 2018-19 budget. Residents are welcome to attend any or all of the upcoming budget review sessions at Village Hall.

Monday, May 7 at 7 p.m.

Board/Public Introduction of Budge...

Park Forest Aqua Center pre-sale offers discounted rates on season passes

Season passes to the Park Forest Aqua Center are currently on sale for a discounted rate.Specials are taking place throughout the months of March and April.

March Into Summer Special

From March 1 to March 31, residents and non-residents of Park Forest pay t...

Phone lines at Village Hall experiencing technical difficulty

Phone lines at Park Forest's Village Hall are currently experiencing problems. Technical support said it may be a few weeks before the problem is corrected. In the meantime residents will need to be aware of the following:

• Park Forest's automated system at...

Vehicle stickers on sale, rates increase May 1

Sales of the 2018-19 Village of Park Forest vehicle sticker begin March 1. Stickers may be purchased at Village Hall or online.

Vehicle stickers must be purchased and properly displayed on all vehicles registered in the Village of Park Forest by the end of...

Park Forest Environment Commission presents Earth Week 2018, April 14-22

April 14

Gardening Series: Basic Beginning Gardening 2: What’s the difference between annual/perennial, or raised bed vs.digging in the ground? Also basic tools. 10:30 a.m.Wetland Discovery Center | 30 N. Orchard Drive

Opening of the Eart...

Rare color photographs of King, Jr. in Chicago on display at Village Hall

When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. moved to Chicago in 1966 to further the Civic Rights Movement, a priest from Wheaton – also an amateur photographer – captured rare color images of King in the Windy City which now are on display at Par...

Park Forest to recognize Officer Tim Jones Monday with honorary street

The Park Forest Board of Trustees Monday evening will officially designate a section of Lakewood Boulevard, from Forest Boulevard to Orchard Drive, as Honorary Officer Tim Jones Way.

A dedication will take place at 6 p.m. just outside of the Park Forest Po...

Park Forest mayor to co-chair national group on race, equity and leadership

Mayor John A. Ostenburg of Park Forest has been appointed co-chair of the National League of Cities (NLC) Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) Council for 2018. The council has the lead responsibility for developing NLC’s strategic focus on elimin...

Congresswoman Kelly to speak in Park Forest on gun violence

Congresswoman Robin Kelly will address issues of gun violence, both mass shootings and street incidents from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, at St. Irenaeus Church in Park Forest.

The program is sponsored by the interfaith Park Forest People of Faith. ...

Early voting details for Park Forest residents

COOK COUNTY EARLY VOTING

Please note, Park Forest's Village Hall is only an early voting location for Cook County residents. Early voting information, including early voting locations, for Will County residents is below.Early Voting for Cook County residen...

Neighborhood meeting program continues with Feb. 28 meeting at Freedom Hall

Park Forest continues its Neighborhood Meeting Program in 2018 with several meetings this year, beginning with a Feb. 28 meeting at Freedom Hall.Upcoming neighborhood meetings are as follows:

Wednesday, February 28 at 7 p.m.  |  Location:...

Park Forest police officer pens article about career in law enforcement

Park Forest Police Officer Meghan Vold penned an article for the police news website TenTwoTimes this week detailing why she serves in law enforcement.In the article, Vold shares her love for kids, her belief in empathy and acts of kindness, and her missi...

Park Forest remembers Katherine Armstrong

A memorial service for former Village Trustee Katherine Armstrong is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 25, from 4 p.m. to  8 p.m. at University Park Golf Club, 23520 Crawford Ave. in University Park.A resident of Park Forest for over six decades, Armsto...

Park Forest hosts youth providers summit

Close to 60 local organizations that provide service to area kids attended a summit Friday in downtown Park Forest at Dining on the Green banquet hall.Participants included Park Forest staff members, schools, public service agencies, local civic groups an...

Ostenburg participates in 'State of the County' event

Mayor John A. Ostenburg of Park Forest represented the South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association (SSMMA) at the “State of the County Community Breakfast” held at Nehemiah Christian Center in Harvey on Jan. 26. The event was sponsored by Cook County...

Park Forest 1 of 4 to receive highest designation for efforts in solar

Today, the national SolSmart program recognized 15 Chicago-area municipalities and counties for making it faster, easier, and more affordable for residents and businesses to go solar.

These communities have taken bold steps to encourage solar energy growth...

Board members to consider future of Health Dept. at Monday meeting

On Monday, Feb. 5, Park Forest board members will consider a resolution to discontinue the home healthcare and clinical services of the Park Forest Health Department Nurses Plus.A special workshop was held Jan. 29 to begin to discuss the future of the dep...

Homewood Disposal says no increase to yard waste bags, stickers

Homewood Disposal recently announced that there will be no increase in the cost of yard waste bags and stickers in 2018. The garbage disposal service says it will experience a three percent increase in the amount they are charged to dump at the compost si...

Mayor named panelist at February housing conference

Mayor John A. Ostenburg of Park Forest will serve on a panel discussing the topic “Clean It or Lien It: Dealing with Vacant and Blighted Properties” as part of the 2018 Governor’s Conference on Affordable Housing Feb. 21 and ...

Park Forest wins best tasting water award in regional competition

Park Forest has the best tasting water in Chicago’s south suburbs according to the Illinois Section American Water Works Association (ISAWWA).Taste Contest Chair Chuck Lawrence presented Park Forest's Chief Water Plant Operator David Vavrek with the award...

Board approves electronics recycling agreement with Homewood Disposal

Park Forest board members on Jan. 16 approved a measure that now allows residents to place electrics at the curb on garbage day for pick-up by Homewood Disposal at no extra charge. To have electronics picked up at your home, residents should review the be...

Village welcomes new deputy police chief

The Park Forest Police Department’s Brian Rzyski, who since October has assumed the role of deputy chief following the promotion of former deputy chief Christopher Mannino to police chief, was officially sworn in Monday evening.Rzyski is in this...

Ostenburg named panelist for Congresswoman Kelly's Teach-in Town Hall, Jan. 13

Mayor John A. Ostenburg of Park Forest will discuss the impact of the new federal tax legislation on local government when he serves on a panel for a Teach-In Town Hall sponsored by Congresswoman Robin Kelly on Jan. 13.The program takes place from 9:30 a....

Czupryn is 2017's Park Forest Business Person of the Year

Ed Czupryn of the Park Forest Currency Exchange is Park Forest’s Business Person of the Year for 2017.

Czupryn was presented the Sam Montella Business Person of the Year Award Monday at Village Hall during Park Forest’s Board of Trustee...

Notice of proposed property tax levy

Update: The proposed property tax levy referenced below was discussed during the board meeting on Dec. 4. Board members will now vote on the proposal during the board meeting on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. taking place at Village Hall.I. A public hearing to approve...

Resident helps others rediscover play

Georgette Gladstone’s grandson had a grand idea to bring a new slide to a park in need of attention.“You should call up President Obama,” the seven-year-old said.The thought, humorous to the adult, was far from a joke to the ...

Park Forest sells office, industrial building to ForeBio Nutrition Inc.

An office and industrial building vacant for nearly 10 years in Park Forest is under new ownership and back on the tax rolls.The property located at 80 North Street in Park Forest’s industrial park had been owned by the village since 2010 after being acqu...