Park Forest Trustees Theresa Settles, Maya Hardy, and Erin Slone were sworn in and recognized for their new terms after being re-elected for an additional four years during the board meeting on Monday night.

Each trustee stepped down from the dais to take the Oath of Office in front of friends and family. Following this ceremonial occasion, Park Forest Mayor Joseph A. Woods invited each of them to share remarks.

Trustee Settles, elected in 2011, is the most senior member of the Board. She began her statement by expressing gratitude to her supporters for the opportunity to continue serving.

"I remain humble and promise to serve the residents and the Village of Park Forest with integrity and selflessness, always prioritizing their interests," Settles said. "Together, we—residents, Village staff, and fellow board members—will meet our challenges. We have a great community to be proud of."

Trustee Hardy followed Settles by sharing her remarks. She also thanked her supporters for electing her and expressed her readiness to work collaboratively with the Board to continue guiding Park Forest in the right direction.

"As we look to the future, I'm excited about the new opportunities and challenges that lie ahead," Hardy said. "We will continue to prioritize good governance, ensuring that our decision-making processes are open, inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the community."

Trustee Erin Slone made her comments after being sworn in, focusing on the Village's future and the work that lies ahead.

"The path ahead will require us to tackle significant challenges," Slone said. "We seek economic development that benefits all of our residents, aims for greater property tax equity, and makes crucial infrastructure investments. 

Slone continued, "While these challenges are substantial, they are not insurmountable if we face them together."

Following comments from Trustee Moore, Mayor Woods, and Village Manager Mick, the board meeting went to recess for 15 minutes.

To watch the swearing-in ceremony, click here.