The Park Forest Board of Trustees will consider revisions to its meeting rules and schedule, a major land transfer involving Thorn Creek Woods, and several public safety and infrastructure items during its Rules and Special Regular meetings on Monday, Jan. 5.
The meetings will be held at Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, beginning at 7 p.m.
Among the key agenda items is a resolution revising the Board’s Rules of Order and Procedure and adopting the Village’s 2026 meeting calendar. The proposed changes would reduce the number of regularly scheduled meetings, allowing Rules or Regular meetings to be scheduled on the second or fourth Monday of the month as needed, following coordination between the mayor and village manager.
The revisions also include changes to public comment procedures, reducing individual speaking time from five minutes to three minutes while expanding the number of speakers on a single topic from three to four. A countdown timer would also be introduced to track speaking time.
Trustees will also consider approving the 2026 meeting calendar, which accounts for holidays when Village Hall is closed and adjusts select meeting dates due to conflicts with holidays of the Jewish faith, including a rescheduled meeting during Yom Kippur in September.
Another significant item involves a proposed intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Park Forest and the Will County Forest Preserve. The agreement would transfer 94.60 acres of village-owned land within the Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve to the Forest Preserve District, while allowing the village to retain ownership of the Thorn Creek Nature Center site.
In exchange, the Forest Preserve would grant the village a 99-year license to maintain storm sewer infrastructure near 174 Monee Road and waive damages related to prior utility maintenance work. Village officials say the agreement would allow both entities to better manage their respective responsibilities while preserving the natural area.
Infrastructure improvements are also on the agenda, including approval of a $46,400 engineering services agreement with Baxter & Woodman to design a replacement culvert at 23 Thorn Creek Drive. The project is intended to address stormwater conveyance issues in the Thorn Creek subdivision.
Public safety items include approval of a replacement support vehicle for the Fire Department, a Ford F-150 Hybrid, at a total cost not to exceed $70,626.56, as well as the purchase of a new LED sign for the Fire Station for $44,995.
The Board will also consider an ordinance amendment related to charging for repetitive use of the Fire Department for lift assists at congregate supportive living facilities.
Meeting agendas and materials are available through the Village’s online agenda system. Public comment will be accepted during the meetings.