During Monday night's board meeting, the Park Forest Board of Trustees recognized the Park Forest Civic Leadership Academy Class of 2024 at Village Hall.

The 15 program graduates met monthly for nine months, participating in information sessions covering various topics, including environmental issues, Village finance, cultural arts programming, recreation and parks programming, and police and fire services. 

The Park Forest Board of Trustees thanked the graduates for participating in the program. Mayor Joseph A. Woods presented each person with a diploma and took a picture with them.

"This is a program that's near and dear to my heart, largely because I, too, was a part of the Civic Leadership Academy," Woods said. "It afforded me a sense of community, civic engagement, and civic participation."

Woods continued, "I thank all of you for your desire to want to get to know your community in a more intrinsic manner and also be a part of something that helps us move forward as a Village."

The Class of 2024 marked the return of the Civic Leadership Academy. Four years ago, the academy completed half of its session when Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker ordered people to stay home for nonessential activities, which halted the Civic Leadership Academy.

Those interested in applying for the next Park Forest Civic Leadership Academy class should apply on the Village's website by clicking here before Aug. 9. 

Those accepted to the program will begin in September.