News Flash

Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues with Dee Alexander LIVE at Freedom Hall, Feb. 14

Alligator Records Recording Artist, Billy Branch, was discovered by Willie Dixon, the "father of modern Chicago Blues” and began touring with the Willie Dixon Chicago All-Stars. Billy has played on over 150 different recordings, including 1...

Park Forest religious leaders come together for census meeting

Park Forest welcomed in 2020 by holding a meeting of local clergy at Village Hall on the 2020 Census.Park Forest Mayor Jonathan Vanderbilt coordinated the Jan. 4 information session to enlist the help of Park Forest churches in outreaching to community me...

Park Forest offers holiday lights, Christmas tree recycling

This holiday season, don't let your broken string lights and dead trees go to waste. Drop off holiday lights in the marked bins at Village Hall and at the Park Forest Public Library through January 10. Christmas trees can be dropped off in the Aqua Center...

Fiorenzo is 2019's Park Forest Business Person of the Year

Ten years after becoming the first-ever recipient of the Park Forest Business Person of the Year Award, Janet Fiorenzo is now the first ever two-time recipient of the award.Fiorenzo was officially recognized as the 2019 Sam Montella Park Forest Business P...

Public hearing for proposed property tax levy, Dec. 2

NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR THE VILLAGE OF PARK FOREST

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy for the Village of Park Forest shall be held on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hall, Board Room, 350 Victo...

Park Forest lands Governor’s Hometown Award for service to veterans

Park Forest is one of 21 communities in Illinois to receive a 2019 Governor’s Hometown Award.The Governor’s Hometown Awards program gives formal recognition to those who contributed to their community’s quality of life throug...

Street sweeping begins Nov. 18

Street sweeping begins Monday, Nov. 18, in Park Forest.  

How Street Sweeping WorksThe street sweeper normally begins in the north part of Park Forest and continues south. The number of streets cleaned each day depends on the amount of leaves and/...

Park Forest remembers Steve Campbell

Former Park Forest trustee Steve Campbell has passed.Campbell was a local businessman who owned Campbell Furniture and Bingo City in the Norwood Square Shopping Center on Western Avenue in Park Forest for several years. Subsequent to that, Campbell served...

Park Forest remembers Harold Brown

Former Park Forest trustee Harold Brown has passed.

Brown served as village trustee from 2001 to 2006 before relocating to Arizona. Prior to the move, Brown and his wife, Rose Carol, were residents of Park Forest for over 50 years.

In addition to his servic...

November is Resident Appreciation Month

Several resident appreciation events are slated to take place this month. The events include:• Community Raffle | November 1 - 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive• Experience the Flavors of Park Forest food tasting | November 9 from...

Grocery store expected to open after new year now hiring

An estimated 80-plus jobs will be filled in the coming months as a new Park Forest grocer prepares to open just after the new year.Jet Foods, to be located at 120 Orchard Drive, will anchor Orchard Park Plaza which was recently purchased by Freedom Develo...

70 Years of the Park Forest Police Department program, Nov. 10

On, Sunday Nov. 10, the Park Forest Historical Society will host retired Chief Cliff Butz and current Park Forest Chief of Police Christopher Mannino to discuss 70 Years of the Park Forest Police Department.  Park Forest's Public Safety Departmen...

Village to hold financial update meeting, Nov. 2

The Park Forest Board of Trustees will meet with village department heads Saturday, Nov. 2, to discuss village finances.The meeting will cover several areas including:

• Preliminary Fiscal Year 2019 Year End Results
• Current Year Trends
• Tax Levy Projections
• Depa...

Village to hold Halloween, fall fest events

Several events sponsored by the Village of Park Forest are schedule over the final week of October.  View details on each below. 

Please note: Trick or Treating hours in Park Forest this year are from 3 to 8 p.m. 

Haunted House

Oct...

Village seeks applicants for trustee vacancy, application deadline Oct. 25

The Village of Park Forest Board of Trustees seeks qualified candidates for the position of Trustee to fill a vacancy for an 18 month term.  It is anticipated that the process will unfold to seat the new trustee no later than the Nov. 25, 2019 bo...

Nominate Your Park Forest Business Person of the Year by Oct. 31

Park Forest's Economic Development Advisory Group (EDAG) is seeking nominations for the EDAG 2019 Sam Montella Business Person of the Year. 

The EDAG Sam Montella Business Person of the Year award is an annual award to recognize Park Forest busine...

Park Forest Complete Count Committee aims to boost census participation, population numbers

Park Forest's newly formed Complete Count Committee met Tuesday evening at Village Hall to lay the groundwork for maximum Park Forest participation in the 2020 Census.The group of nearly 40 Park Forest stakeholders – comprised of village employe...

Public hearing on cannabis sales in Park Forest set for Oct. 8 at Freedom Hall

On January 1, 2020, the State of Illinois will permit licensed businesses to sell, grow, and process adult use recreational cannabis. The Village of Park Forest is currently in the process of determining whether or not to permit these businesses to operat...

68th Annual Pancake Day Oct. 5 at Rich East High School

The Kiwanis Club of Park Forest’s 68th Annual Pancake Day takes place on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rich East High School, 300 Sauk Trail.Pancake Day has been a proud community tradition for decades. Attendees enjoy all-you-can-eat golden ...

Park Forest teens pursuing careers in fire service awarded scholarships

Three Park Forest teens aspiring to careers in the fire service are the recipients of a new Rich East High School Fire and EMS Scholarship. Marshon Baines, David Palmer, and Kyle Young will each receive a share of $1,700 raised last year as part of a fund...

Congresswoman Kelly to Host 7th Annual Hiring Event and Job Readiness Bootcamp

Congresswoman Robin Kelly will host her 7^th Annual Hiring Event for residents of the 2^nd Congressional District on Friday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Lan-Oak Park District, 2550 178^th St., Lansing. More than 50 employers with active job ope...

Hydrant flushing, Sept. 16 - Oct. 16

Park Forest is currently conducting village-wide hydrant flushing. Hydrant flushing began Monday, Sept. 16, and continues through Oct. 16.Flushing takes place weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No flushing is done on weekends. Hydrants are flushed to en...

Park Forest remembers Robert McCray

A public memorial gathering for Park Forest Trustee Robert McCray has been scheduled for Thursday, September 26, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., at Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street, in Park Forest.McCray, a resident of Park Forest for over 40 years, was first el...

Village-wide Garage Sale, Sept. 21-22

Park Forest’s Village-wide Garage Sale takes place on September 21 and 22 with over 70 homes participating.

Click on the link below to view a listing. 

Park Forest Art Fair returns for 64th year, features Music Fest and Plaque Dedication

The 64th Annual Park Forest Art Fair takes place on Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. 

The Park Forest Art Fair is the second oldest juried art fair in the Chicago area. The finest artists in the Midwest...

Village encourages resident participation at upcoming District 227 board meetings

Residents in Park Forest this week will receive a mailing from the Village of Park Forest encouraging resident participation at upcoming School District 227 board meetings following months of discussion and speculation on the future of the district which ...

Park Forest Fire Dept. to hire firefighter/paramedics, accepting applications through Oct. 10

The Park Forest Fire Department is accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic until October 10.

Click on the link below to learn more. 

Park Forest Police set to hire new officers, accepting applications through Oct. 10

The Park Forest Police Department is looking to add new officers.The 55-member police force with 41 sworn officers began a new recruitment period Monday and will accept applications through Oct. 10.The department is encouraging those in pursuit of an exci...

Registration open for Village-wide Garage Sale happening Sept. 21 & 22

Do you have items you no longer need that could be sold for a few dollars? Do you love discovering a great deal at a garage sale? Park Forest’s Village-wide Garage Sale is back in 2019. The sale takes place the weekend of the Park Forest Art Fai...

20th Annual Youth Day Celebration to be held on August 17

Click to view the flyer for complete details.

Take a stand against crime on August 6 for National Night Out

The Park Forest Police Department invites you to join them, along with 16,000 other communities across the country, in celebrating National Night Out Against Crime on August 6.Organize a gathering on your block, invite your neighbors to take part, and joi...

Park Forest Growing Green Recycle Fest July 27th

Park Forest's annual recycle event allows residents to recycle televisions (for a fee), document shredding, eyeglasses, books, and much more. See flyer for full details.

Park Forest welcomes AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps volunteers

An AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team is again set for service in the Village of Park Forest this summer.The NCCC team this week begins its first of an eight-week stay in the community.“The Village of Park Forest is very ha...

Mandatory boil order lifted, residents may resume normal water usage

Park  Forest is no longer under a boil order.The boil order, which began Friday afternoon, was lifted Monday at 1:50 p.m. after village water samples taken over the weekend all came back clear.Residents may now resume normal water usage.Village o...

Will County Emergency Management Agency seeks resident feedback on flooding damages

The heavy rains last week caused flooding in the Steger, Crete, and Park Forest area. As the area begins to recover, the Will County Emergency Management Agency is looking for additional information about how the flooding may have impacted you.

 T...

Park Forest Civic Leadership Academy seeks applicants for fall program

The Park Forest Civic Leadership Academy is currently accepting applications for the fall program.The program helps area residents further their understanding of the community and its leadership by:• Exposing participants to a host of current and...

District 227 considering closure of Rich East, other options to address deterioration, student body

Park Forest’s Rich East High School could be closing.  

Tuesday evening, District 227 board members considered options for remedying the district’s deteriorating buildings and a student body district officials say no longer war...

Park Forest board members affirm support for village manager

Park Forest Village Manager Tom Mick will remain in his post.Following the Village’s regular meeting Monday night, board members, Mick, and Village Attorney Burt Odelson met in a two and a half hour executive session. Mick and Park Forest Mayor ...

What to know about solicitors going door-to-door in Park Forest

With warmer weather here, numerous residents have reported solicitors going door-to-door to engage residents on natural gas or electrical services. It has been reported that representatives claiming to be partners of the Village ask to view resident's bil...

June is Resident Appreciation Month

Several resident appreciation events are slated to take place this month. The events include: • Paint 'n' Sip | June 7 at 7 p.m. | Artistic Flow, 200 Main Street• Community BBQ | June 12 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Village Green, Main Street a...

Village to hold public hearing on proposed budget on Monday, June 3

Park Forest residents are invited to attend a Public Hearing, Monday, June 3, 2019 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, on the Park Forest Board of Trustees’ proposed 2019/2020 Budget.The Public Hearing follows budget meetings held throughout the...

Memorial Day program on May 27 remembers those lost while serving

The Park Forest American Legion hosts its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27 at 11 a.m. The program takes place at the corner of Main Street and Cunningham Drive in Downtown Park Forest and includes placement of remembrance wreaths in solemn honor of ...

Park Forest Aqua Center opens for 67th season on June 1

The Park Forest Aqua Center opens for the season on Saturday, June 1.Since 1959, the Park Forest Aqua Center has been one of the region's most popular aquatic facilities. Amenities Include:

• Lap pools
• Lanes available for open swim
• Swim Lessons
• Water Fitness&am...

Park Forest budget review sessions set for May and June

The Village of Park Forest has approved the budget review schedule for the proposed 2019-20 budget. Residents are welcome to attend any or all of the upcoming budget review sessions at Village Hall.

Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m.

Board/Public Introduction of Budge...

Park Forest election results official, applicants sought for trustee vacancy

Park Forest officially has new elected leaders set to be sworn into their posts with the sunset of the current board in May.Voting results from the April 4 election became official Tuesday with current Park Forest trustee Jonathan Vanderbilt defeating cur...

April 2, 2019 election results

Below are unofficial election results for the April 2, 2019 races for Park Forest village president, Park Forest trustee, and Park Forest Public Library trustee.

Results reflect votes received in Cook County, Will County, and total votes in Cook and Will C...

Elections in Park Forest to be held April 2, information for voters

Election Day in Park Forest is Tuesday, April 2. Park Forest residents will vote for candidates in mayoral, Village trustee, school board, and library board races in the Village.

For Cook County residents with questions about their voting location, visit C...

Park Forest Aqua Center offers pre-sale discounted rates on 2019 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, season passes for a Park Forest family of three...

Hydrant flushing begins April 8

Hydrant flushing will be conducted April 8 through May 8. 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 disc...

Village adopts resolution signaling race, equity and leadership plan in the works

Close to three years after launching a comprehensive review of the village’s policies, procedures, and practices, Park Forest is now taking official action to establish and implement a race, equity, and leadership plan.A resolution passed by Par...

Congresswoman Kelly, Park Forest Youth Commission to hold youth job fairs

Congresswoman Robin Kelly will host a Youth Job Expo for young men and women between the ages of 16 and 23 on Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, in the Media Center of Rich South High School, 5000 Sauk Trail, Richton Park.More than 50 employers w...

Will County early voting locations

Early voting in Will County is from March 18 to April 1. Park Forest's Village Hall is no longer an early voting site for Will County residents. This decision was made by Will County. The below information is being provided for Will County residents inter...

Vehicle stickers on sale now, rates increase May 1

Sales of the Village of Park Forest vehicle sticker begin each year on March 1. The 2019-20 vehicle sticker may be purchased now at Village Hall or online.Vehicle stickers must be purchased and properly displayed on all vehicles registered in the Village ...

Upcoming forums allow residents to hear from candidates running for P.F. office

Several forums will be held over the coming months for candidates running in the April 2 election. The forums are sponsored by various community organizations and allow residents to learn more about the candidates and where they stand on various issues.Up...

Village adopts new Climate Action and Resilience Plan

Park Forest is taking action to prepare the community for the future impacts of climate change.Park Forest board members Monday night unanimously approved a Climate Action and Resilience Plan.The new plan builds on Park Forest’s Sustainability Plan adopte...

Parking ticket rate increases to $50

After nearly 30 years, the $25 parking ticket rate in Park Forest is going up.The move comes after an analysis conducted by Park Forest Police found the village at the bottom of a list that compared fines levied by 12 area municipalities. Eight of the 12 ...

Warming centers available in Park Forest

Officials in Park Forest are urging residents to stay indoors, if at all possible, Tuesday evening through Thursday morning as potentially record-breaking temperatures are expected to sweep thru the area.All Village services, including Village Hall, will ...

Village amends ordinance to include anti-nepotism language

Park Forest is hoping to eliminate any possibility of improper hires.Village board members voted unanimously Monday night to adopt an amendment that adds anti-nepotism language to an already existing ordinance outlining the responsibilities of the Village...

Ostenburg named chair of Metropolitan Mayors Caucus

Mayor John A. Ostenburg of Park Forest has been elected to serve as chairperson for the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. The decision was made by members of the MMC Executive Board at its November 19 meeting. Mayor Ostenburg will serve in the post through the ...

Nominate Your Favorite Business Person of the Year by Oct. 31

The Park Forest Economic Development Advisory Group (EDAG) seeks nominees from residents, civic groups, and businesses to recognize a Park Forest business owner who is committed to community service. Do you know a Park Forest business owner who has made a...

Park Forest celebrates Halloween with numerous events

Park Forest celebrates Halloween with several events beginning on Oct. 26 and running through Oct. 31. See below for information on each event.Please note trick or treating hours in Park Forest this year are 3 to 8 p.m. 

Haunts Against Hunger Haun...

Police issue community alert following reported paintball attacks

Park Forest Police today released the following community alert after reports of numerous paintball attacks in the Village. In the evening hours of Wednesday, September 26, and the morning hours of Thursday, September 27, there were several incidents in w...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...