Forest Park Review

12/18/2024

About 150 Forest Park families will be receiving gifts from the mayor’s annual community toy drive.

At Bobby’s Eastside, Mayor Rory Hoskins gathered with local officials and residents to collect unwrapped toys and gift cards to later give out to families who signed up through the Howard Mohr Community Center.

About 150 Forest Park families will be receiving gifts from the mayor’s annual community toy drive Dec. 11. 

12/17/2024

Krish Mohip touts experience with struggling schools, resentment over board’s search lingers

New Proviso Township High Schools Superintendent Krish Mohip said he visited over 50 classrooms in his first week on the job, but the system’s new leader has now also received a crash course in local politics.

12/17/2024

The village of Forest Park will soon have a new presence on Madison Street in the space that previously housed the cigar lounge Casa de Puros.

At the last village council meeting in November, commissioners unanimously accepted the donation of a property at 7410 Madison Street to the village. This week, the village is closing on the building, appraised at $270,000.

At the last village council meeting in November, commissioners unanimously accepted the donated property at 7410 Madison Street.

12/16/2024

Wonder Works Executive Director Rachel Weber says, “Wonder Works Children’s Museum stands out because of its size. We are small and mighty and we seek to serve ALL children, regardless of financial difficulties or sensory needs.”

In 2024, Wonder Works Children’s Museum doubled their number of sensory friendly play sessions. Twice a month on Sunday, the museum opens an hour early for an accessible and inclusive environment and partners with Kids Unlimited Therapy Services and Lifespeed Behavioral Support Services.

Click below for more on Wonder Works, A Children's Museum in Oak Park and more Season of Giving!

Wonder Works Executive Director Rachel Weber says, “Wonder Works Children’s Museum stands out because of its size. We are small and mighty and we seek to serve ALL children, regardless of financial difficulties or sensory needs.”

12/13/2024

“I had always been strong, and able to bounce back. This time, it was too much. I was overwhelmed. I felt paralyzed in my thoughts, even my movement made me feel like a zombie. And I felt so distant from everything and everybody... so ashamed. ‘How could this be happening to me?’ I had nothing to lose, so with the support of my daughter, I started therapy at Thrive."

Click below for more on Thrive Counseling Center (THRIVE) and more Season of Giving!

"I had always been strong, and able to bounce back. This time, it was too much. I was overwhelmed. I felt paralyzed in my thoughts, even my movement made me feel like a zombie. And I felt so distant from everything and everybody ... so ashamed. ‘How could this be happening to me?’ I had nothing ...

12/12/2024

When Jackie’s relationship became abusive, she knew that she needed to get herself and her three children to safety. Following her stay at a domestic violence shelter, she was connected with an advocate at Sarah’s Inn, who helped identify her immediate needs and supported her as she began her healing journey toward a stable and independent life that is free from domestic violence.

Click below for more on Sarah's Inn and more Season of Giving!

When Jackie’s relationship became abusive, she knew that she needed to get herself and her three children to safety.

12/12/2024

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation recently announced the new direction and focus for its Community Grants program. After a year-long process of fact-finding, research and interviews, the Foundation has decided to focus its grantmaking on the intersection of two priority areas identified in its landmark Community Voices report: Safety and Belonging, and Health — specifically, addressing behavioral and mental health for young residents in western Cook County.

Click below for more on the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation and more Season of Giving!

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation recently announced the new direction and focus for its Community Grants program. After a year-long process of fact-finding, research and interviews, the Foundation has decided to focus its grantmaking on the intersection of two priority areas identified...

12/11/2024

The mayor was in Cape Town in early December to discuss strategies on tackling hate and extremism

Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins was in Cape Town in early December to discuss strategies on tackling hate and extremism.

12/11/2024

As a financial institution, Byline Bank is well-versed in the art of investing. But as a community bank, Byline understands that its role extends beyond just accepting investments; it also actively invests back into its community.

In the last two years, Byline Bank gave over $60,000 in grants and over $2.7 million in community development loans. In addition, Byline employees volunteered over 450 hours with Oak Park and River Forest organizations.

Click below for more on Byline Bank and more Season of Giving!

As a financial institution, Byline Bank is well-versed in the art of investing. But as a community bank, Byline understands that its role extends beyond just accepting investments; it also actively invests back into its community. In the last two years, Byline Bank gave over $60,000 in grants and ov...

12/10/2024

At Beyond Hunger, our mission centers the significant role our community plays in ending hunger. More than providing healthy and nutritious groceries, we strive to build relationships with everyone who engages with us. These connections are what keep Beyond Hunger a strong, steadfast pillar of warmth and familiarity that many can rely on.

Click below for more on Beyond Hunger and more Season of Giving!

At Beyond Hunger, our mission centers the significant role our community plays in ending hunger. More than providing healthy and nutritious groceries, we strive to build relationships with everyone who engages with us. These connections are what keep Beyond Hunger a strong, steadfast pillar of warmt...

12/09/2024

Commissioners unanimously approved to start seeking proposals for a consultant to help them rewrite the comprehensive plan. The plan will outline key issues in Forest Park, desired goals and implementation strategies.

Forest Park is gearing up to update its comprehensive plan, which identifies goals for the village regarding budget, facilities and land use.

12/06/2024

In the past six years the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation has been inspired by the generosity of our residents and neighbors. We see how collectively we can transform and modernize philanthropy. And with courage, the Foundation is pursuing new avenues to do just that — to uphold our promise to be of better service to our partners, and to the greater west side. We’re all in this together.

Click below for more on the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation and more Season of Giving!

In the past six years the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation has been inspired by the generosity of our residents and neighbors. We see how collectively we can transform and modernize philanthropy. And with courage, the Foundation is pursuing new avenues to do just that — to uphold our pro...

12/06/2024

Light Up Forest Park is helping neighbors wrap trees in lights, while middle schoolers are distributing paper lanterns with LED candles through Wish Upon a Light

Light Up Forest Park is helping neighbors wrap trees in lights, while middle schoolers are distributing paper lanterns with LED candles.

12/06/2024

De’Avioun felt completely alone. She was in the final months of her first pregnancy with little support from her family. She questioned the quality of life she could provide for her child and considered putting her baby up for adoption. How could she do this all alone? One day, in a final effort to find support, she searched the internet and discovered New Moms.

Click below for more on New Moms and more Season of Giving!

De'Avioun felt completely alone. She was in the final months of her first pregnancy with little support from her family. She questioned the quality of life she could provide for her child and considered putting her baby up for adoption.

12/05/2024

Madison Street will be transformed into a fantasy land complete with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus during the Forest Park Holiday Walk and Festival of Lights on Friday, Dec. 6, 6 to 9 p.m.

At a time when “reality” can feel a bit too much, Madison Street will be transformed into a fantasy land complete with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus during the Forest Park Holiday Walk and Festival of Lights on Friday, Dec. 6, 6 to 9 p.m.

12/05/2024

Southeast Oak Park house will be home to adults with intellectual disabilities and assistants

In just a few weeks, the L’Arche community will be welcoming residents to its first newly built house in the Chicago area.

12/05/2024

The Oak-Park-River Forest Community Foundation is committed to you, and to the well-being of every person in the West Cook region. We continue to be inspired by the kindness and engagement of neighbors like you, to better serve our partners and deliver on our promise to advance a racially just society and equitable outcomes for residents of Oak Park, River Forest and surrounding communities.

We need the involvement of the whole community in order to move our region forward. Please consider a gift to the Foundation's Annual Fund today at bit.ly/40SxIxD

12/04/2024

Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins dedicated a street sign honoring the late Geung Goo (Michael) Lee last Saturday. The ceremony took place at the corner of Madison Street and Des Plaines Avenue, where Lee operated Lee’s Auto Service for over 30 years.

A street at the corner of Madison Street and Des Plaines Avenue is named after the owner of Lee’s Auto Service.