The Park Forest Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, March 16, at Village Hall to consider several measures involving Village finances, infrastructure improvements, and economic development.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the board room at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive.
Key agenda items include a final reading of an ordinance for a 1% home rule municipal and service occupation tax on goods and services sold in the Village. If approved, the tax will apply to most retail purchases and certain services within the village limits. Officials say it's intended to increase municipal revenue without raising property taxes.
Village staff estimates the measure could generate as much as $800,000 annually and align Park Forest’s overall sales tax rate with those in surrounding communities.
If approved, the tax would take effect July 1 and would apply to all items except those exempted by the ordinance, such as food for off-premises consumption and prescription and nonprescription drugs. The ordinance must first be filed with the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Trustees will consider authorizing an agreement with Stuckey Construction Co. as construction manager at risk for the Aqua Center Redevelopment Project, and a resolution to apply for $400,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to remediate mold and asbestos at DownTown Building 2, with a $100,000 Village match if awarded.
Village staff issued a request for proposals in January for the estimated $10 million project. The construction manager at risk model lets the contractor work with the Village and project architects during the design phase. The contractor provides cost estimates, scheduling guidance, and other preconstruction services before final pricing is established.
Five proposals were submitted in response. After reviewing qualifications and conducting interviews, Village staff recommended Stuckey Construction Co. The company submitted a proposed fee of $767,665. This fee would be included in the project’s overall $8.75 million redevelopment budget.
Another agenda item is the board’s first reading of an ordinance that modifies the number of available liquor licenses in the Village.
The proposed change follows an application from Antonio Burgess, who plans to open a tavern called Libations at 311 Main St. Burgess currently owns and operates Smitty’s in Phoenix, Illinois, which has been in business since 1983.
Village officials said the proposed adjustment also reflects that Stacy’s Bistro, formerly at 90 S. Orchard Drive, has closed, and the applicant for the proposed restaurant Royal Styles has withdrawn plans.
The board will also consider awarding the 2026 road improvement contract to Davis Concrete (up to $1.43 million), renewing the asphalt patching program with Advantage Paving Solutions (up to $175,000), renewing a contract with New Era Spreading for lime residual removal, and approving the FY 2027 Motor Fuel Tax maintenance resolution for $331,621.
Additional items include renewing a contract with New Era Spreading for the removal of lime residuals. The board will also consider approving the fiscal year 2027 Motor Fuel Tax maintenance resolution totaling $331,621.
The agenda further includes renewal of the FY 2027 Motor Fuel Tax street sweeping contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems LLC.
The meeting will include the board’s approval of minutes from the Feb. 7 Rules Meeting and provide an opportunity for public comment. Residents may attend the meeting in person at Village Hall.