2024 Recycling Calendar Now Available!

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Recreation Department Rental Rate Increase to take effect January 1st. A reminder that the Village of Palos Park Recreation Department rental rates for its indoor facilities and outdoor playfields will increase beginning January 1st, 2024. This increase was approved by the Village Council pursuant to a recommendation from the Village’s Recreation Advisory Commission to ensure our facility rental rates are in line with area pricing.

The new 2024 rates are available to view on the Recreation Department’s page of the Village website under ‘Facility Rental.’ The new rates apply to all 2024 rentals including rental reservations made in 2023 for 2024 dates. Any questions regarding the new rental rates may be directed to the Recreation and Parks Director Stephen DeFalco, sdefalco@palospark.org, or by phoning (708) 671-3760.  

Tiny Tot Open Gym Wednesdays 9:30am-11:00am! New this winter, we’ll have a variety of play features available for little ones to explore with their adult weekly on Wednesdays from 9:30am-11:00am. This is a great opportunity to get to know other parents and have kiddos meet new friends. This program requires adult supervision, there is no instructor for this open gym program. Day-of registration is required for this drop-in program. Please check in at the registration desk before entering the gym.

Open “Short Court” Pickleball Mondays 10:00am-1:00pm! New this winter, we’ll have two “short courts” set up for open pickleball play on Mondays from 10am-1pm. This is a great opportunity to learn the sport, improve your skills, and meet fellow players in the area. There is no instructor for this open gym program. Day-of Registration is required for this drop-in program. Please check in at the registration desk before entering the gym. Paddles and balls are available to check out free of charge during open gym hours. New to Pickleball? Don’t forget about our Pickleball 101 classes being offered 1/12 and 1/13.

New Year’s Family Bingo Night Friday, January 5th! Spend an evening at the Palos Park Recreation Center for a night of BINGO with family and friends. Prizes for bingo add to the fun with other ways to win big to be announced. No Registration required. Bingo cards will be for sale at the event while supplies last.

Senior Cards and Dice/Tile Days: New this winter, there will be a Senior Cards and Senior Dice/Tile Day once a month on Fridays from 12:30-2:00pm. Meet new people or reconnect with old friends around the game table as you play a variety of tabletop card, dice, and tile laying games. The first Senior Cards day is today (Friday, December 15th) and the first Senior Dice/Tile is Friday, December 29th. Registration is required for these programs.

Employment Opportunities with the Department of Recreation and Parks The Department of Recreation and Parks is seeking motivated, energetic people to join our team.

• The Building Attendant position is a part-time role with flexible hours primarily working weekday evenings and weekends assisting with the department’s rentals, programming, and facility maintenance.

• The Recreation Supervisor position is a full-time role that coordinates, develops, and administers a wide variety of recreation programs and events while being a vital team member in the overall operations of the department including facility and grounds, rentals, and administrative systems.

Both are great opportunities to gain experience in the many facets of recreation and parks department operations. Visit the employment section of the Village’s website for more information on both positions and applications.  

Our next Business Spotlight features Wild Birds Unlimited!

Learn more about this wonderful Village of Palos Park establishment from owners Mel and Laura Tracy.

Police Foundations:  Don’t My Taxes Pay for That?

Police Foundations serve as critical partners in providing top quality policing services in the 21st-Century. For many Police Departments, operating budgets struggle to be competitive to hire the best qualified and dedicated officers. The allocation of salaries and benefits play a big part in that. The dilemma police executives deal with is finding the resources to incubate innovation, keep pace with rapidly changing technology, meet time-sensitive needs, or implement vital new projects.

Many communities have found the answer in long term partnerships between the police and the public. Introduced in 1971 in New York City, these tax-exempt entities, popularly known as police foundations, assist agencies around the globe in closing some of the gaps between what agencies have and what they need to operate optimally and promote experimentation. The Palos Park Police foundation was the first Illinois Police Department Foundation.

In Palos Park, our Police Foundation has funded virtual and web-based learning for our police officers. It also serves as a crucial bridge by providing funds for new equipment and technology, specialized officer training, and community engagement programs that help reduce crime and keep our officers safe. Our police officers are an integral part of the community, protecting its citizens and their property. They can’t do it alone, and every citizen plays a role in making our community safer.

What Is our Palos Park Police Foundation?

The community members who serve as the leadership for our Palos Park Police Foundation share a common purpose and similar organizing principles. They promote excellence in our police department by providing resources not otherwise readily available from traditional sources. Palos Park Police frequently use foundation grants to purchase equipment, provide specialized training, encourage professional development, recognize employee valor, and offer support to make sure we are crafting a clear, concise, and compelling case that establishes the value of a police foundation to public safety.

The membership board are individuals with significant standing in the community and include professionals and business leaders who possess a range of desirable skills and knowledge. By their efforts they generate financial support for the project agenda presented by police leaders and can serve as both bridges to groups in need and reasoned advocates in times of controversy. 

Public-private partnerships such as police foundations are growing in scope and significance. The tangible results are impressive, providing a great amount of assistance to a police executive in addressing the complexities of policing in the 21st century.

Amtrak has plans underway to redesign the Concourse at Chicago Union Station. The new design will increase capacity and provide a higher level of service for both intercity and commuter passengers, while bringing the facility into a state of good repair. The renovation will incorporate contemporary thinking around sustainability, inclusivity, and universal design. It will improve safety, reduce severe congestion, create a more logical customer friendly passenger flow, improve signage and wayfinding, expand restroom capacity, and create a spacious Amtrak waiting and boarding area, providing a more welcoming environment for both Amtrak and Metra customers who use the station.



Amtrak is launching a customer survey to gather input from all users of the station.



Please take the survey at this link (https://survey3.medallia.com/?8QzuBB-Concourse) or scan the QR code. The survey can also be found on the Chicago Union Station website under the Concourse Improvement Tab.

Protect Your Pipes

While you're away this winter, protect your pipes and water meter from freezing. A frozen pipe and water meter will crack and become an open source of continuous water that will flow into your home. If this happens, homeowners are responsible for the cost of a water meter and the thousands of gallons of water that will flow into your home. Sufficient heat is necessary to protect the water meter and pipes. If you turn down your heat, check that the lower temperature allows for sufficient heat in the area where your water meter is located to protect it and the pipes from freezing. You can also wrap the exposed pipes and water meter with insulation available at most hardware stores. Another way to protect your home is to locate the inside water shut off valve before the water meter and close it down and drain all the water from your pipes. The best protection if you are leaving your home for an extended period of time is to request Public Works shut off your water at the buffalo box. There is a fee of $100.00 for shutting water off at your buffalo box, however this is low cost compared to the cost of a broken pipe or water meter. Call (708) 671-3721 to arrange for water shut off at your home.

This holiday season, the Palos Park Police Cadet program is again holding their Annual Holiday Food Drive. We are looking for donations of non-perishable foods such as canned goods or boxed goods.

The cadets will accept donations at the Palos Park Police Department located at 8999 W. 123rd Street. Donations are accepted from November 1st, through January 1st. This is another way to give back to the community and help families that are in need.

All donations will go help out families from the greater southwest suburban area. To request a pick-up or for more information, please call (708) 671-3770 or email Jmiller@palospark.org. 

Palos Park Police Cadet Food Drive drop off sites:

Palos Park Recreation Center 8901 W. 123rd Street

Palos Park Library 12330 Forest Glen Boulevard

Palos Park Metra Station 12200 S. 82nd Avenue

Village of Palos Park Kaptur Administrative Center 8999 W. 123rd Street

Blue Star Memorial Bricks

The Blue Star Memorial, located at the Village Green, is a tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces who have defended the United States of America. Residents may purchase a personalized brick to honor a loved one who served in the military. Visit our website for more information. These pavers may be purchased throughout the year by completing the order form.  If you have any questions please contact Lisa Bujak, Assistant to Mayor and Village Manager, via email at lbujak@palospark.org or by phone at 708-671-3705.

Voting is ongoing for the official Village of Palos Park flower! Voting ballots are going out in utility bills and can be returned in the mail, but residents can also vote via the The Village of Palos Park Office of the Mayor Facebook page. If voting by Facebook, only votes cast on the Mayor's page will be counted. Pictures of each flower will be pinned to the top of the Facebook page. Give a like to the flower of your choice and your vote is cast! You can also vote in person at the Village Hall. *One vote per household via mail, Facebook, or in person. Which flower will you choose Palos Park?

Get ready for winter fun in the Forest Preserves of Cook County! Their Winter Guide is now available and full of information on programs, events, and amenities, from snowy escapades to indoor delights. The Winter Guide is available at the Village hall or view their online events schedule at fpdcc.com/events.

Pathlights helps more than 14,500 people each year understand their options – the multiple paths to aging. They pride themselves on collaboration with diverse partners and as a convener of conversation and action to promote policies that encourage a healthy aging community.

Their next Caregiver Connecting Support Group is Wednesday, December 20. Click the flyer for more details.

Shop The Park

Palos Park has a variety of local restaurants and food establishments to fit all your needs, whether you are in the mood for American, Chinese, Italian, Thai, or seafood. Many of the restaurants offer delivery and carry out services, as well as great casual dining.

Restaurants | Palos Park

For a full listing of all Palos Park Businesses, visit our website.