In response to rising concerns related to the coronavirus, Park Forest leaders today announced that Village Hall will temporarily close to the public beginning March 18.
The decision was made by Park Forest Mayor Jonathan Vanderbilt, the Park Forest Board of Trustees, and senior staff for the village after learning new details from the CDC, the federal government, and state officials on the coronavirus.
Park Forest leaders hope to reopen Village Hall on April 6 pending the status of the coronavirus spread.
Park Forest’s police and fire operations will continue as normal during this period. Additionally, Recreation and Parks and Public Works crews will remain with a full complement of staff in the field.
Departments located inside of Village Hall with service counters will be the most impacted due to the temporary closure. With counter windows temporarily closed, alternative methods of servicing the public will be ramped up. This includes the use of email, phone, fax, and the mailbox located outside of the south entrance of Village Hall.
For complete details on the impact of the temporary closure and cancellations by village department, please see below:
- Administration & Finance
Phone: 708-283-5605 or 708-283-5608
Status: In-person service suspended through April 3. Staff available by email and phone.
- Community Development
Phone: 708-503-7703
Status: In-person service suspended through April 3. Staff available by email and phone. Inspections suspended through April 3. Building permit process operating as normal. Applications and procedures for change of occupancy temporarily revised. All applications available online. Applications can be dropped off at the Village Hall drop-box. Approvals will be mailed. Delays expected.
- Economic Development & Planning
Phone: 708-283-5622
Status: In-person service suspended through April 3. Staff available by email and phone. Business Breakfast previously scheduled for March 18 is canceled. While Governor Pritzker has mandated the closure of bars, restaurants, and gaming establishments – delivery and curbside services are permitted. Many small businesses in Park Forest rely on your patronage to survive. Please consider patronizing local businesses first. Many have instituted additional health and safety measures to protect their staff, vendors, and customers. Check the Village website for periodic updates on specific businesses.
- Public Works
708-503-7702
Status: In-person service suspended through April 3. Staff available by email and phone.
- Recreation, Parks & Community Health
708-748-2005
Status: In-person service suspended through April 3. Staff available by email and phone. All recreation facilities closed and programming canceled through March 30. All March shows at Freedom Hall canceled.
- Online registration for programs and Aqua Center memberships is available through here (Online registration fees are non-refundable).
- Online swim lessons registrations is available at here.
- Water Billing
708-748-1112
Status: In-person service suspended through April 3. Staff available by email and phone. Residents needing to make water bill payment should do so in the following ways during this period:
• Online
• By Phone at 833-230-2598
• Or by utilizing the drop-box located outside of the south doors of Village Hall
Residents needing to purchase a village sticker should do so online. No water shut-offs to be scheduled until April 30. No late fees assessed to water bills until May 8. Water currently turned off for non-payment will remain off until payment satisfied.
All meetings, including village board meetings and volunteer board and commission meetings, at Village Hall are also canceled through April 4 due to recommendations on the limiting of crowd size.
Village officials will continue to monitor issues related to the coronavirus and will post updates to the village’s website as conditions change. For questions, please call 708-748-1112.