Mayor’s Message: Mayor Joe Woods, Park Forest (Park Forest, IL) —
To Park Forest, Happy 75th Anniversary!
And with that, the Village of Park Forest is well positioned to embark on a carefully planned drive towards being a powerhouse community of Chicagoland’s South Suburbs, in preparation of our 100th anniversary.
To that end, earlier this year the Village Board met to establish eight strategic goals that then were turned over to staff for the development of specific implementation steps. With these steps now in place, I would like to use this Message to clearly share with you—the citizens who have chosen us as your community leaders—what your elected officials deem to be the best course for going forward.
The following are some of the many steps that we plan to utilize for implementation, including many that already have been put in place. I said “some” of the steps, for indeed it would be impossible to relate in the limited space of this article every one of the nearly 270 implementation steps that are planned or have taken place.
Goal #1 – To strengthen and enhance economic conditions to attract and retain businesses and employers to support a thriving local economy.
Goal #2 – To provide municipal services in a responsible and fiscally sustainable manner through continued collaboration, innovation, and regional leadership.
Goal #3 – To employ best practices to deliver high-quality services, maintain and develop infrastructure in an environmentally and fiscally sustainable manner.
Goal #4 – To mitigate effects of climate changes through management of Village resources, partnerships, and the natural environment.
Goal #5 – To continue to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of Village residents and property through the provision of excellent and innovative public safety services delivered with integrity and impartiality.
Goal #6 – To increase opportunities of engagement and maximize resources for all residents.
Goal #7 – To continue to develop public relations and innovative marketing and communications to promote Park Forest.
Goal #8 – To build upon the history of Park Forest and cultivate a culture that meets the future.
No doubt some of you will read these goals and think they sound very much like some goals the Village has had in the past, and indeed that may be the case. After all, as the saying goes, “Rome was not built in a day,” and the Village Board recognizes that some things in our community that began in the past have not reached fruition, and even some things that have been accomplished may need a fresh approach to meet our current needs. If we are to build the community we desire for the next century, we may not only have to develop new concepts and ideas, but also reinforce some ideas and concepts that have been around for a while.
Therein lies the importance of implementation, for they have been developed with an eye to the future rather than a look backward. Every implementation step listed is intended to create a better Village not only for current residents but also for those who will be moving into our Village. It is the sincere intention of the Board and our staff to work in days ahead to ensure that Park Forest is able to celebrate its 100th anniversary with every bit of the pride that just marked our recent celebration of 75 years.
In the time since the Board approved our strategic goals back in February, many of the implementation steps already accomplished now serve as the foundation for those yet to be met.
Under our first goal, for example, the Village has provided funding and assisted in gaining outside financing for several new businesses that either already have opened or are planning to do so in the near future. These steps help to create an atmosphere that will aid in gaining even more commerce for our community. However, PROPERTY TAXES! . . .
The Village of Park Forest did not raise your property taxes! In fact, 5 of the past 8 years, we were at a 0% tax levy. And nearly a 0% tax levy for the other 3 years. Almost unheard of! This speaks loudly to our conservative and fiscal responsibility.
In light of this municipal fact, perhaps the most critical of our economic development strategies is to continue to work with Cook County and the State of Illinois to correct the property tax system as it relates to Park Forest and a number of South Suburban municipalities. The implementation strategies already undertaken include numerous meetings with the Cook County Assessor, Cook County officials, our State Senator and State Representative to develop a program to right the wrong of an unfair imbalance in property taxes among some communities in south Cook County—in contrast to some located elsewhere. These implementation steps are now the base upon which legislation is being drafted that soon will be put before the General Assembly and Governor to correct things once and for all. And while there is much more work to be done, please note that the aforementioned meetings, before and amid this tax crisis, have garnered a notable and positive result: Our Village’s overall tax rate has gone from 46% to 23%. We hear your voice! We know your concerns! The fight continues!
The principal objective of the second goal is to find federal and state revenue, plus any other grants and/or outside funding, that can enhance our various municipal services. Much of the lobbying for this funding already has occurred through implementation steps taken so far, with some such funding already in hand. Moving forward, various projects are being identified where local dollars could potentially offset paying for utility improvements, recreational facilities, road repairs, etc. Once again, we are building on what we’ve done so far in moving forward with more implementation strategies. As a matter of fact, what we are able to accomplish under Goal #2 will make it possible to meet some of the objectives for several other of our strategic goals.
Allow me now to address Goal #6, because it is one that is very important and is closely tied to one of the major reasons why I decided some years ago to seek elective office in Park Forest. As we all are aware, our community has changed greatly in the 25 years since we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Our population is different, our economic climate is different, our housing needs are different. But what remains the same is the wonderful “spirit” of Park Forest and that is an invaluable resource that must be cultivated in order to survive and thrive. I sincerely believe no better avenue is open to us for doing so than by fruitful engagement of our citizens in our governing process.
For that reason, the very first implementation strategy listed for this goal was to increase our resident meetings and other direct contact with our citizens. After a four-year hiatus, our Neighborhood Meetings Program resumed in full force this year, with the Board and staff conducting 6 such meetings in 12 months. Never before done. These meetings were well attended, and what has been learned from residents has helped to create more strategies for citizen engagement as we move ahead. Park Forest is not the Village Board’s community, not the staff’s community, but YOUR community! Your engagement is crucial to the continuance of Park Forest as one of the shining jewels of the Southland.
We enjoy a wonderful heritage as Park Foresters. And indeed, that heritage is the impetus for the Board establishing Goal #8, to make use of our history as we build for the future. We have met old challenges, we will face new challenges. So with this expression of hope, I say to you: Don’t be weary in the well doing, when doing the good work!
On behalf of the Village Board and our staff, thank you for your support as we all work together for the improvement of our Village. Best wishes for the holiday season, however you may celebrate it.
Mayor’s Message: Mayor Joe Woods, Park Forest
