South Cook News

The Village of Park Forest has been honored with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its Fiscal Year budget. This is the 31st consecutive year, and the 33rd time overall, that Park Forest has received this recognition.

The GFOA states that this award is given to local governments that meet high standards in transparency, accountability, and public communication regarding their budgeting process. To qualify, a government’s budget must serve as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. The evaluation process requires budgets to be rated “proficient” in 14 mandatory criteria across four major categories.

“Earning this award year after year underscores Park Forest’s dedication to fiscal responsibility and clear communication with residents about how their tax dollars are being used,” said Finance Director Mark Pries. “Our budget isn’t just numbers on a page — it’s a roadmap that aligns financial decisions with the Village’s long-term goals.”

Over 1,900 governments take part in the GFOA’s Budget Awards Program, which aims to recognize agencies that demonstrate effective budgeting practices.

“Receiving this recognition for over three decades demonstrates the professionalism and integrity of our finance team and the continued support of our elected officials,” Pries added. “It reflects our shared commitment to maintaining trust and transparency with the community.”

The list of recent award recipients can be found on the GFOA website.