Since adopting the Sustainability Plan in 2012, the Village of Park Forest has received several notable certifications and awards for leadership in sustainable practices. Learn more about our certification process here.
CDP A List (2020)
The Village of Park Forest has been recognized by Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), an international non-profit organization that helps cities disclose their environmental impact, as one of 88 across the globe that continue to lead on environmental action despite a year derailed by COVID.
The cities on this year’s A List demonstrate that impactful and urgent action is possible. Although almost 40% of cities on this year’s A List did not disclose to CDP in 2015, they have fast tracked their environmental action and ambition, setting ambitious emissions reduction targets and are building resilience against climate change. In so doing, we and the other 87 cities have earned the title of climate leaders.
LEED Certified | LEED for Cities and Communities (2019)
One of only four communities in the entire State of Illinois with a LEED Certification. As of July 2019, the other three cities were Blue Island, Chicago and Evanston. You can read the announcement here.
4-STAR Community Rating | STAR Communities (2019)
The Village received its 4-STAR Rating in March 2019 in recognition of our commitments to equity and quality of life while advancing the fight against climate change. One of only two 4-STAR Communities in Illinois. As of July 2019, the only other city in Illinois to receive a 4-STAR rating was Evanston. You can read the announcement here and see our progress here.
SolSmart Gold | SolSmart (2018)
In February of 2018, the Village of Park Forest received the distinction of receiving SolSmart Gold for our solar permitting process. This is the highest designation for efficiency in policy for the construction of solar power within the community. Learn more about SolSmart here and see what we did to get the designation here.
Park Forest City Profile on Racial Equity | National League of Cities (2018)
The Village of Park Forest is profiled as a leader in the municipal operations when it comes to Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL). To learn more, the National League of Cities' website can be found here.
3-STAR Community Rating | STAR Communities (2015)
3rd Best Complete Street Policy in the Nation | Smart Growth America (2015)
Tied for third in the Nation for Complete Street Policy. The top three results were as follows:
1. Reading, PA
2. West Hartford, CT
3. Park Forest, IL (tie); South Bend, IN (tie); Longmeadow, MA (tie)
For more information on Park Forest's evaluation from Smart Growth America and the national Complete Streets Coalition, please click here.
Governor’s Sustainability Award | Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (2014)
In 2014, the Village of Park Forest received the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center's Sustainability Award. According to the press release (which can be found here), "Since 1987, ISTC has presented Governor’s Awards to organizations in Illinois that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices. Any Illinois public or private organization is eligible to apply for the award. Winners are selected through a rigorous process of review and examination by ISTC technical assistance experts."
The list of awardees since 1987 can be found on the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center's website here.
Best Sustainability Plan in Illinois Award | American Planning Association – Illinois Chapter (2013)
In 2013, the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association voted the Village of Park Forest's Sustainability Plan as the best in the state. The Village of Park Forest was only one of a few municipalities within Illinois even be considered for a planning award. To read more from eNews Park Forest, click here.
Best Town Plan | Congress for the New Urbanism – Illinois Chapter (2013)