With Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s announcement of an extension to the stay-at-home order in place for most Illinois residents, the Village of Park Forest will continue to operate in a reduced capacity until April 30, at minimum.
Park Forest is continuing to provide a comprehensive weekly update to alert residents on various issues resulting from the stay-at-home order. This update includes information on updated cancellations, updates from Homewood Disposal on garbage collection, information on water bill payments and vehicle sticker and animal license purchases, along with other updates. Please read this message in its entirety.
Administration & Finance
Status: In-person service suspended through April 30. Staff available by email only. Update below.
Animal licenses: Animal licenses cannot be purchased online. Residents needing to purchase an animal license should begin the process by printing a copy of the animal license application on the website at villageofparkforest.com/animallicense. Your completed animal license application, along with payment and a current copy of the animal’s rabies vaccination, can be left in the drop box at Village Hall. Your application will be processed and your license(s) mailed to you. Please note that the deadline to purchase animal licenses has been extended to May 31.
Board meetings: A board meeting will be held on Monday, April 6, at 7 p.m. This meeting will likely be conducted via conference call however logistics are still being finalized. Information on how residents can watch/listen to this meeting will be posted to the village’s website, along with the agenda, on Friday, April 3.
Census reminder: All residents are urged to take this time to take part in the quick but important process of participating in the 2020 Census. As of April 1, roughly 44% of Park Forest residents have been counted. You can complete the Census online, by phone at 844-330-2020, or by mail.
Resident Strategic Planning meeting: The previously scheduled Resident Strategic Planning meeting for April 7 will be rescheduled for a later date. Residents are still needed to take part in this important meeting and may register to be notified of the new meeting date as soon as one is announced. To register, please visit villageofparkforest.com/strategicplanning
Vehicle stickers: Residents needing to purchase a vehicle sticker should do so online by visiting violationpayments.com, then by selecting Park Forest to complete the process. There is a $3 processing fee for online vehicle sticker purchases. To download a vehicle sticker application which you can complete and leave in the Village Hall drop box with your payment, please visit villageofparkforest.com/vehiclestickerapplication. Your application will be processed and your sticker(s) mailed to you. Please note that the deadline to purchase and display vehicle stickers has been extended to May 31.
Community Development
Status: In-person service suspended through April 30. Staff available by email only. Update below.
The Building Department currently is not accepting applications for change of occupancies. Change of occupancy inspections are suspended. The Building Department is however accepting construction permits and transfer stamps through mail or through the drop box located to the east of the Village Hall’s main entrance next to the FedEx and UPS drop boxes. See full Building Department update at villageofparkforest.com/building
Economic Development & Planning
Status: In-person service suspended through April 30. Staff available by email only. Update below.
Park Forest food service businesses are providing delivery and curbside service. Visit the Park Forest Businesses Facebook page for more details about what Park Forest businesses are open during this period, or call them directly. The Shopping and Services Guide has all phone numbers you might need. Remember that small businesses in Park Forest rely on your patronage to survive. Please consider patronizing Park Forest businesses first.
Police Department
Status: Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Update below:
The Police Department continues to enforce the Governor’s stay-at-home order primarily through education and warnings, however for egregious violations police officers have been authorized to issued municipal citations. The Police Department requests that if you have a non-emergency need for police service or assistance that you call the non-emergency line at 708-748-4701. Residents should not come to the Police Department for non-emergencies. Tickets should be paid online or by mail. Only essential business such as picking up property should be conducted at the Police Department. Always call 911 in an emergency.
Public Works
Status: In-person service suspended through April 30. Staff available by email only. Update below:
The danger of using alternatives to toilet paper: Residents are reminded that flushing anything other than toilet paper can cause serious problems at your home. As a result of some toilet paper shortages at grocery stores as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, some have attempted to use alternatives to toilet paper like disposable wipes and other products. Though some products state they are disposable, though they may flush with no problem, the issue is caused later when the wipes block the sewer system and cause a back-up in homes.
Garbage/Yard waste pick-up: Homewood Disposal is asking all residents to only place items out for garbage pick-up that fit into your collection container. Homewood Disposal will still pick-up bulk items but ask that those bulk items fit into the container. Residents cooperating with this request will help to create a safer environment for Homewood Disposal employees who at this time are doing their best to limit touch. Yard waste collection resumes on Tuesday, April 7. Residents must place yard waste into yard waste bags. If non-Homewood Disposal yard waste bags are used, a Homewood Disposal yard waste sticker must be placed on each yard waste bag for pick-up. Yard waste stickers may be purchased at the Park Forest Currency Exchange, 98 S. Orchard, and at the following cooperative offices: Area B, Area E, and Area J.
ComEd offering service restoration: ComEd will work with residents whose service was disconnected prior to the company’s March 13 suspension of service disconnections to have service restored and help ensure access to safe and healthy environments. ComEd customers who have had their electric service disconnected for a non-safety issue should contact ComEd at 800-334-7661, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
If you would like to report a water main break, a sewer back up, street lights outings, potholes, dead animals, fallen tree/branches, a damaged traffic sign, sink holes, and/or any other Public Works related concern, please call the Village non-emergency line at 708-748-4701. An operator will take the information and pass it along to a Public Works staff member. If you have questions related to electricity, gas, cable, telephone, or other utility, please call the respective service provider directly. If you need a sewer/clean out permit, please call 708-516-9536 or email ebrogan@vopf.com. Other Public Works related information can be found at villageofparkforest.com/publicworks
Recreation, Parks & Community Health
Status: In-person service, facilities, programs, and classes suspended through April 30. Staff available by email only. Update below:
Online registration available: Residents may still register online for programs and Aqua Center memberships. The department still expects to open the Aqua Center and run its summer camp program as scheduled.
Parks open, playgrounds closed: Although parks are open to the public for walking, playgrounds are closed and children should not play on the equipment. Playgrounds are being sanitized by staff however they will remain closed during the stay-at-home order.
Water Department
Status: In-person service suspended through April 30. Staff available by email only. Update below:
Residents needing to make water bill payment should do so one of the following ways:
• Online (*you will need your account number)
• By calling 833-230-2598 (*you will need your account number)
• Or by utilizing the drop-box located outside of the south doors of Village Hall
* If you need your account number, please call Village Hall and leave a message including your name and address, or email mgott@vopf.com with your name and address, and staff will look up your account number and contact you with the information.
No water shut-offs will be scheduled until April 30. No late fees will be assessed to water bills until May 8. Water currently turned off for non-payment will remain off until payment satisfied. Please note payments made by check may have a longer processing time than normal.
All activities in the village, including this week’s previously scheduled Earth Week events, are cancelled until April 30, at least.
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. Finally, Park Forest strongly encourages all residents to adhere to the stay-at-home order in addition to adhering to all recommendations provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control.