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Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Here’s what to expect when the Village of Park Forest Board of Trustees convenes Monday night. Trustees will formally recognize Black History Month during a special regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 2. Additionally, the board will consider changes to fire service billing practices. The board will also likely approve an appointment to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Village Hall board room, 350 Victory Drive.
Trustees will likely approve a consent agenda that includes the minutes of the Jan. 20 regular meeting. It also includes a resolution appointing an authorized agent to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. The resolution would designate Human Resource Generalist Rachel Jones as the Village’s IMRF-authorized agent. The accounting manager previously held this role. IMRF is the pension system covering full-time Village employees. However, it does not cover employees enrolled in the police or fire pension plans.
What to Expect: Fire Service Rates and Billing
Two ordinances related to fire service rates and billing will be on the docket for first reading and discussion.
The first proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 42 of the Village Code to allow the Park Forest Fire Department to bill insurance companies for certain emergency fire and rescue responses. Under the proposal, fees for services such as
- motor vehicle extrication,
- hazardous materials incidents,
- fires, water rescues,
- and special rescues
Services would be calculated using national insurance billing rates adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Village officials say the change would allow the Fire Department to recover a portion of its taxpayer-funded operational costs. Importantly, it would not impose additional fees on residents.
What to Expect: Fire Department Responses in Unincorporated Areas Outside Village Limits
The second ordinance addresses fire department responses to incidents in unincorporated areas outside Village limits. The proposal would update service charges to reflect current costs, including personnel fees per responder, apparatus and vehicle fees, and charges for consumable or extraordinary materials. The ordinance would also allow the Village to bill uninsured property owners directly when applicable. If ultimately approved, the amended ordinance would take effect on March 1.
What to Expect: National Black History Month Proclamation
The agenda also includes a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as National Black History Month. The proclamation notes that 2026 marks 100 years since the first organized national observances of Black history. It highlights the longstanding contributions of African Americans locally and nationally. It also recognizes Park Forest resident Sandi Lynn, a 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for community service and the founder of the G.R.O.W. Power mentoring program for girls.
Black History Month Proclamation 2026
The meeting will include reports from Village officers, commission liaisons, and committee chairpersons, followed by a public comment period.
Copies of the agenda are available in the Village Hall lobby. The full agenda packet is posted on the Village website. Residents needing reasonable accommodations to participate in the meeting are asked to contact the Village Manager’s Office at least 48 hours in advance.
This is news from the Village of Park Forest.
