Village of Park Forest

The Board of Trustees conducted a public hearing on the FY 2026-2027 budget and reviewed various contracts, including those for street light repairs, water main repair sleeves, and landscape maintenance. Additional agenda items included the approval of an ordinance amending the annual budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, budget amendments for various departments, and the adoption of the budget for all corporate purposes for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The Board also addressed resolutions related to property disposals and tax incentive distributions.

The Board discussed various items including the awarding of a contract for asphalt replacement at Central Park and Freedom Hall to Suburban Sealcoat. Additionally, the Board reviewed the renewal of the Urban Forestry maintenance contract with Homer Tree Service, an ordinance regarding the sale of real estate at 2551 South Western Avenue to Goodyear Car Care, and proposed amendments to the 2025/2026 Annual Budget to reflect actual financial transactions. Proclamations were also issued designating Emergency Medical Services Week and National Public Works Week.

The Board of Trustees discussed several agenda items, including the award of the 2027 Residential Water Shutoff Valve Replacement contract to Aleck Plumbing and the 2027 Curb and Sidewalk Restoration Program contract to J & J Newell Concrete Contractors. Multiple ordinances were reviewed, covering amendments to business registration fees, the administration and adjudication of village ordinance violations, and the elimination of the registration process and fees for residential and commercial police alarm systems. Additionally, a proclamation for National Drinking Water Week was presented and the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 budget was introduced.

The Board of Trustees discussed and approved contracts for water treatment chemicals, including salt, carbon dioxide, soda ash, quicklime, and polyphosphate. Key agenda items included the first reading of ordinances related to alcoholic beverage license limits, the sale of several village-owned real estate properties to Habitat for Humanity, and updates to the Municipal Code concerning business registrations, wall sign quantities, police alarm systems, and administrative adjudications. Additionally, the Board reviewed resolutions to support the Municipal Housing Authority, authorized purchases for an ambulance and equipment, approved construction contracts for water infrastructure, and executed a tower structure lease agreement. Proclamations for Earth Month and Arbor Day were also recognized.

The Board of Trustees met to discuss and reconsider the proposed ordinance for imposing a 1% home rule municipal retailers' and service occupation tax. The primary goal of this tax, which excludes SNAP benefit transactions, groceries, prescriptions, and certain medical items, is to diversify revenue streams away from property tax reliance and potentially stabilize or lower future property taxes. The discussion included a comparative analysis of sales tax rates in surrounding communities, noting that the proposed 1% increase would align the Village's total rate with that of nearby municipalities.