If you’ve lived in Park Forest for more than a minute, you know the vibe. It’s that rare pocket of the south suburbs where things feel quiet—until they aren't. Lately, the local chatter has been less about the usual garden club updates and more about some pretty heavy shifts in how the village is running. Between a wild weather week that felt more like April than January and some major tax changes that just kicked in, there’s a lot of Park Forest IL news to digest. Honestly, keeping up with the board meetings and the police blotter can feel like a full-time job.
Most people aren't exactly spending their Saturday mornings reading village memoranda, but maybe they should. This month has been a rollercoaster. We’ve seen record-breaking warmth followed by flash flooding, a brand-new local tax taking over where the state left off, and some massive infrastructure plans that are finally moving from "proposal" to "construction."
The Grocery Tax Flip: What You're Actually Paying
One of the biggest pieces of Park Forest IL news hitting wallets right now is the 1% grocery tax. You might have heard that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker officially killed the statewide 1% grocery tax on January 1, 2026. Sounds great, right? Well, sort of. For Park Foresters, the price at the register didn't actually go down.
The Village Board, led by Mayor Joseph A. Woods, stepped in quickly to implement a local version of that same tax. Why? Because the village stood to lose about $120,000 in annual revenue. Finance Director Mark Pries was pretty blunt about it in his memo to the board: if they didn't keep that 1% coming in, they’d likely have to hike property taxes to fill the gap.
Basically, the village is just swapping the state’s name for its own on your receipt. You aren't paying more than you were in 2025, but you aren't paying less either. It’s a move hundreds of Illinois municipalities are making to keep their heads above water without touching the already high property tax levies.
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Flash Floods and 60-Degree Januarys
The weather has been, frankly, bizarre. On January 8 and 9, the Chicago metro area—including Park Forest—got slammed by a low-pressure system that brought record warmth. Temperatures hit the low 60s. That’s wild for January. But the warmth came with a cost: heavy rainfall and high winds.
The National Weather Service reported gusts over 50 mph. While Chicago’s O’Hare broke a rainfall record from 1935, local streets in the south suburbs dealt with some nasty flash flooding. The sudden thaw and heavy rain put massive pressure on the village’s aging pipes.
Speaking of pipes, Park Forest has been battling a string of water main breaks. As of mid-January, public works had already logged over half a dozen. The reality is that much of the village’s 73 miles of water main was laid 70 years ago. When the ground freezes, thaws, and shifts like it did this month, those old pipes just snap. It’s a recurring headache that explains why you might see those "Boil Water" advisories popping up more often than you'd like.
New Developments in DownTown Park Forest
If you’ve driven past the old mall area lately, you’ve probably noticed it looks a bit different. There’s a major push to get people living in the "DownTown" area again.
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Andrew Brown, the Assistant Director of Economic Planning & Development, recently confirmed that construction for a new multi-family apartment complex could start as early as June 2026. This is the Home First, LLC project. They are looking to build 44 townhouse-style units on a former parking lot at the corner of Indianwood Boulevard and Orchard Drive.
What’s interesting is the focus on accessibility. A chunk of these units is specifically designed for people with disabilities—mobility, sensory, and mental health. It’s a project that has been in the works in various forms since the 2002 DownTown Master Plan.
Beyond that, the village is dropping serious cash on the Village Green. We're talking:
- A new pavilion for outdoor events.
- New public restrooms (finally).
- Tenant build-outs for small businesses on Main Street.
Public Safety and the New Gun Laws
Safety is always the number one topic in local Facebook groups. This week, the Park Forest IL news on this front is twofold: traffic enforcement and new state mandates.
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The Park Forest Police Department just wrapped up their holiday "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign. The numbers are out: 113 citations and two DUI arrests. Deputy Chief Kristopher Vallow noted that while they made 88 stops, the sheer number of speeding and seatbelt violations shows people are still being pretty reckless on Sauk Trail and Western Avenue.
But there’s also a new law every resident needs to know about: the Safe Gun Storage Act. As of January 1, 2026, if you own a firearm, you are legally required to keep it in a locked container if you know—or should know—that a minor or an unauthorized person could get to it. It’s not just a suggestion anymore; it’s a requirement designed to cut down on accidental shootings.
What's Next on the Calendar?
Despite the cold and the construction, the community events aren't stopping. The 2026 "Main Street Nights" lineup was just teased on January 1, themed "HOT FUN IN THE SUMMER TIME." Applications for food trucks and vendors are already open.
If you’re looking for something sooner, the MLK Gospel Celebration is scheduled for January 19 at 3 p.m. It’s one of the village's longest-standing traditions and usually draws a huge crowd to Freedom Hall.
Actionable Steps for Park Forest Residents
- Update your emergency alerts: With the water main issues being so frequent this winter, make sure you're signed up for the village’s CodeRED alerts so you know about boil orders immediately.
- Check your storage: If you're a gun owner, ensure your storage meets the new 2026 Safe Gun Storage Act requirements to avoid potential liability.
- Support local: The new businesses in the Business Park and DownTown, like the recently opened Imishe Massage and various boutiques on Main Street, rely on local foot traffic during these slow winter months.
- Plan for the "Grocery Tax": While the state tax is gone, your budget should stay the same since the village's 1% local tax is now active.
Stay safe out there, especially with the fluctuating temperatures. Those 60-degree days were nice, but the freeze-thaw cycle is a killer for both the roads and your home's plumbing. Keep an eye on your neighbors and stay tuned to the local board meetings—that's where the real decisions on your property taxes are happening right now.