The Village of Park Forest has once again been recognized for its excellence in financial planning, earning the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its Fiscal Year budget.

This marks the 31st consecutive year — and 33rd overall — that Park Forest has received the prestigious honor, which is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.

According to the GFOA, the award reflects the commitment of Park Forest’s elected officials and staff to meeting the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and public communication in budgeting. To receive the award, local governments must meet nationally recognized guidelines that assess how effectively a budget functions as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications device.

“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.”

Budget documents are evaluated in 14 mandatory criteria across four major categories and must be rated “proficient” in each to qualify for the award.

More than 1,900 governments participate in GFOA’s Budget Awards Program, which recognizes agencies that set the standard for 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 full list of recent award recipients is available on the GFOA website at www.gfoa.org.