Village of Park Forest issued the following announcement on March 25.
The Village of Park Forest continues to follow Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order which has forced significant changes to village operations. Though Park Forest officials continue to hope to restore full operations on April 7, that opening will remain in accordance with the date outlined by Governor Pritzker. Thus, if the stay-at-home order is extended, village operations will not be fully restored until the order is rescinded.
The below departmental updates are being provided to keep residents up-to-speed on changes related to the stay-at-home order:
Administration & Finance
Status: In-person service suspended through April 6. Staff available by email only.
Community Development
Status: In-person service suspended through April 6. Staff available by email only. During this time the Village is not accepting applications for change of occupancies, construction permits or transfer stamps. Property sellers and landlords are asked to apply for change of occupancy inspections within 30 days after the Shelter in Place Order has been lifted. If properties are occupied without the change of occupancy inspection process and a certificate of occupancy during the Shelter in Place Order the Village will NOT take enforcement actions as long as reasonable efforts are made to apply for the change of occupancy inspection with 30 days after the Shelter in Place Order is lifted. Construction permits should also be applied for within 30 days after the Shelter in Place Order has been lifted. Since the Shelter in Place Order applies to all non-essential work it is expected that only repairs/work of an urgent nature would occur during this time. Transfer stamps services are suspended during the Shelter in Place Order.
Economic Development & Planning
Status: In-person service suspended through April 6. Staff available by email only. Email addresses for the Economic Development and Planning department can be found here. All department scheduled events are cancelled through April 7. If you are shopping for essentials or want a take-home meal, most 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
Phone: 708-748-4701
The Police Department requests that if you have a non-emergency need for police service or assistance that you call non-emergency at 708-748-4701 and do not come into the Police Department lobby. Tickets should be paid on-line 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 6. Staff available by email only. If you like to report a water main break, that you are having a sewer back up, street lights outings, potholes, dead animal, fallen tree/branches, a damaged traffic sign, sink hole, and/or any other Public Works related concern, please call the Village non-emergency number 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 for more information. Other Public Works related information can be found here.
Recreation, Parks & Community Health
Status: In-person service suspended through April 6. Staff available by email only. Recreation, Parks & Community Health will follow the Governors stay-at-home mandates regarding programs and classes. As long as there is an order in place, there will be no classes or programs and facilities will remain closed. The Rec Center will follow School District 163’s closure calendar. 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.
Water Billing
Status: In-person service suspended through April 6. Staff available by email only. Residents needing to make water bill payment should do so in the following ways during this period:
• Online
• By Phone at 833-230-2598
• Or by utilizing the drop-box located outside of the south doors of Village Hall
Residents needing to purchase a village sticker should do so online. Please note that the deadline to purchase and display the new Park Forest vehicle sticker has been moved back to May 31. No water shut-offs to be scheduled until April 30. No late fees assessed to water bills until May 8. Water currently turned off for non-payment will remain off until payment satisfied.
All meetings, including village board meetings and volunteer board and commission meetings, at Village Hall are also canceled through April 6.
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.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Village of Park Forest