Members of Kappa Lambda Chi presented the Park Forest Police Department with 100 gun locks during Monday night’s Village Board meeting, aiming to promote safe firearm storage and community safety.
Kappa Lambda Chi is a nonprofit fraternal organization for veterans and active-duty military members from all branches. The group’s mission is to support local communities by promoting education, mentoring youth, and fostering patriotism.
Mark Kellogg, the group’s spokesperson and a Village of Park Forest employee, said the organization also focuses on brotherhood and community service. Donating the gun locks, he said, was a way for the group to give back locally.
“We believe the safer we are, the better we are as a community,” Kellogg said. “We’ve had several different fundraisers for the Village. This is just a community service event that we wanted to do for Park Forest.”
The donation comes as Illinois recently amended its Safe Gun Storage Act through the Illinois General Assembly, strengthening requirements for firearm owners to secure their weapons. The law holds gun owners accountable for storing firearms in locked containers or with devices designed to prevent unauthorized use, helping keep guns out of the hands of minors, at-risk individuals, and those prohibited from possessing firearms.
Park Forest Deputy Police Chief Kristopher Vallow said the donation supports both compliance with state law and proactive safety efforts in the community.
“Safe storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidental shootings and unauthorized access,” Vallow said. “These gun locks give residents an added layer of protection and help ensure firearms don’t end up in the wrong hands.”
Under Illinois law, gun owners can face criminal penalties if a minor or prohibited person gains access to an unsecured firearm. Authorities say using a gun lock or locked container lowers the risk of theft, accidental discharge, and misuse.
“This is about responsibility,” Vallow said. “If you choose to own a firearm, securing it properly is part of that responsibility. We’re grateful to Kappa Lambda Chi for helping us provide these tools to our residents.”
Following the meeting, members of Kappa Lambda Chi posed for photos with the Park Forest Board of Trustees and Vallow. The Park Forest Police Department will make the gun locks available to residents while supplies last. Residents who need a gun lock can call the department's non-emergency number, 708-748-4700, to request one. All locks must be picked up in person.