Tom Mick Village Manager | Village of Park Forest
Tom Mick Village Manager | Village of Park Forest
On Thursday, the State of Illinois granted $2.45 million to the Village of Park Forest for the 26th Street Multi-Use Path Project. This project will extend a shared-use path from Westwood and Norwood Boulevard along 26th Street, crossing Western Avenue at a signalized intersection, and connecting with the Thorn Creek Trail in the Cook County Forest Preserve.
Nick Christie, assistant director of the Department of Public Works, explained that this bike path is part of a broader plan to extend a bike path along Forest Boulevard during its reconstruction. The initiative aims to attract more bike traffic to the DownTown area. In the past year, Park Forest has secured $3.7 million in Federal Surface Transportation funds for Westwood Drive's reconstruction and $3 million in Illinois Enhancement Program funds for similar improvements on Forest Boulevard.
Christie stated that construction is still several years away as they are currently in Phase 1, focusing on engineering with funding from Invest in Cook funds. Phases 2 and 3 are expected over the next few years, with potential construction starting in spring 2028.
Governor JB Pritzker announced that Park Forest's funding is part of $139.2 million allocated through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) to expand local travel options and improve community quality of life across Illinois.
“The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program is a crucial part of Rebuild Illinois, helping to make travel safer and more accessible in the communities that need it most,” said Governor Pritzker. “Today, I’m proud to announce the largest investment in the program’s history, with more than $139 million going toward bike lanes, sidewalks, trails, and other local improvements. This is just one part of the state’s larger effort to reverse decades of disinvestment and create more connected communities.”
The ITEP approved 66 projects including bike paths, pedestrian paths, trails, streetscape beautification projects aimed at promoting safe local travel across various transportation modes. Rebuild Illinois made unprecedented funding available during this competitive call for projects with approximately 74% allocated for improvements in financially needy communities.
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