Will County Gazette

The Village of Park Forest is set to hold its Rules and Special Regular Meeting on October 6, beginning with several ceremonial activities. The meeting will include the swearing-in of two new firefighters/paramedics for the Park Forest Fire Department. The Village will also present its Good Egg Awards to recognize community members for their service, and a presentation from the Park Forest Rotary Club is planned.

Mayor Joseph A. Woods will read four proclamations during the meeting. These proclamations will honor Hispanic Heritage Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fire Safety Week, and Dave Young, who has been a longtime member of the Park Forest Veterans Commission.

After these ceremonies, trustees will address various business items. One item on the agenda is a resolution that would allow the Village to intervene in a property tax appeal by Westbridge Apartments, LLC. The Will County Board of Review informed the Village that Westbridge Apartments is seeking to lower its assessed value by more than $645,000. Staff have cautioned that this reduction could decrease the local tax base and result in higher taxes for other property owners.

The board will also consider an amendment to its Economic Development Incentive Policy. This change would introduce an Abandoned Property Acquisition Program designed to bring tax-delinquent commercial and industrial properties back into use more quickly. Applicants would be required to pay a $10,000 fee to cover legal costs, take on redevelopment risks, and adhere to specific redevelopment timelines.

Other items on the agenda include amending an agreement with the South Suburban Land Bank and Development Authority so it can inspect and identify potential abandoned properties for acquisition; awarding a $27,500 contract to KRT Concrete for curb and sidewalk improvements at 406 Sauk Trail as part of the South Suburban Trades Initiative after Cook County required additional enhancements; accepting a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant from Cook County for sanitary sewer lining projects in the “M” Street neighborhoods; and approving up to $100,758 for Morton Salt to supply road salt for winter 2025–2026 through a state joint purchase program.

The meeting will take place at Village Hall at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 6.