The Village of Park Forest will open its Oct. 6 Rules and Special Regular Meeting with several ceremonial events before considering a slate of financial, development, and infrastructure items.
Two new firefighters/paramedics will be sworn in to the Park Forest Fire Department, and the Village will present its Good Egg Awards recognizing community members for their contributions. A presentation from the Park Forest Rotary Club is also scheduled. Mayor Joseph A. Woods will then read four proclamations in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fire Safety Week, and in honor of Dave Young, a longtime member of the Park Forest Veterans Commission.
Following the ceremonies, trustees will turn to business items, including a resolution authorizing the Village to intervene in a property tax appeal filed by Westbridge Apartments, LLC. The Will County Board of Review notified the Village that the complex is seeking to lower its assessed value by more than $645,000, a move staff warn could reduce the local tax base, effectively raising taxes on other property owners.
The board will also consider amending its Economic Development Incentive Policy to introduce the Abandoned Property Acquisition Program, aimed at more quickly returning tax-delinquent commercial and industrial properties to productive use. Applicants would pay a $10,000 fee to cover legal costs, assume redevelopment risk, and commit to redevelopment timelines.
Other agenda items include:
- Amending the Village’s agreement with the South Suburban Land Bank and Development Authority to give the agency authority to inspect and identify potential abandoned properties for acquisition.
- Awarding a $27,500 contract to KRT Concrete for required improvements at 406 Sauk Trail, part of the South Suburban Trades Initiative, after Cook County mandated additional curb and sidewalk enhancements.
- Accepting a $400,000 Cook County Community Development Block Grant for sanitary sewer lining projects in the “M” Street neighborhoods to extend system life and prevent collapses.
- Approving up to $100,758 for Morton Salt to supply road salt for the 2025–2026 winter season under the state’s joint purchase program.
The meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 6, at Village Hall at 7 p.m.