The council approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement to secure CTA reimbursement for first-responder calls at transit stops, an item commissioners said followed years of advocacy and could cover routine site visits.

Council approved a package of ordinances and an order establishing a Franklin Street–Brown Avenue redevelopment project area and TIF financing framework; commissioners emphasized these votes create a framework to solicit developer interest, not to approve a particular project.

A commissioner criticized the process used to appoint Lieutenant Daniel Pater as police chief and questioned the selection and cap for a crisis communications contract; the mayor said the hire and communications contract were justified given high-profile incidents and announced a Sept. 28 vote to consider raising the spending cap.

Council approved a Burke Engineering preliminary design contract for the 13th Street storm-sewer separation and resurfacing project (R85-26), authorized advertising for the 2026 sidewalk improvement bids (R86-26), and approved Pay Request No. 4 for the 2026 lead service replacement Stage 3 to 5 Star Energy Services (R89-26).

Council approved a professional-services proposal and discussed a potential $4 million forgivable loan for lead-service replacement; staff warned the law requires replacing lines to the building and the choice of funding (grant vs. local funds) affects whether homeowners pay.

Chris Burke Engineering presented a draft 2022 infrastructure plan covering resurfacing and water-main projects (Ferdinand Ave $1.5M), 15th Street sewer separation ($400,000 with CDBG funding), MWRD-funded green parking at Des Plaines and a new state mandate requiring removal of lead services when water mains are touched.

Councilors debated awarding a green parking-lot contract for 510 Des Plaines after bids came in lower than feared but with a roughly $60,000 increase over pre-pandemic estimates; an MWRD partnership of about $200,000 may be lost if the project is not done. After discussion, the board voted to table the item until March 14 for more information.

Council approved a professional engineering services proposal for a potable water reservoir (resolution R80-26). Commissioner Nero questioned placing storage on village-owned Altenheim land, arguing it is costlier and farther from the pump station.

Three public comments — a written submission and two residents speaking — asked the Village of Forest Park to designate municipal buildings as ICE-free zones and to revise the village's 2017 welcoming resolution to align with the Illinois Trust Act; petition organizers say they have about 150 signatures.

Councilors reviewed draft plans to use TIF funds for a cost-share facade grant program on Roosevelt Road and Harlem Avenue and discussed hiring an economic development consultant to market Forest Park and attract sales-tax-generating businesses.

Village staff presented the FY2027 draft budget and warned it projects a $3.7 million operating loss that would push the village into an ending fund deficit exceeding $5 million unless revenues or expenditures change.

The mayor said the new Northern Illinois transit law/transition to a Northern Illinois Transit Authority includes provisions for medical reimbursement and staff reported coordination with neighboring departments on a regional billing system expected to bring revenue starting in 2027.

Village officials said Forest Park faces a projected $5.5 million FY2027 deficit and no reserves; staff outlined savings and grant-seeking while local business owners and residents urged the council to avoid a proposed 2% food tax and consider alternatives such as parking permits and grant funding.

Forest Park firefighters told the village council that chronic understaffing and inadequate apparatus threaten response capacity, prompting councilmembers to ask for expedited revenue discussions, including a possible places‑of‑eating tax and licensing changes to support recruitment and equipment.

At a workshop on the FY2027 budget, council members and staff reviewed a projected general‑fund shortfall, underfunded public safety pensions, and a proposal to implement a 1%–2% places‑of‑eating tax; business owners warned of harm to small restaurants while first‑responder representatives urged new revenue to shore up staffing and pensions.

Commissioner Maxim told the council the village faces an estimated $2.2 million general-fund shortfall for FY2026 and urged pursuing revenue tools including a places-of-eating tax and exploring taxation of short-term rentals ahead of budget deliberations.

At a Forest Park town hall, the village building director defended proposed residential zoning changes intended to bring older, nonconforming homes into compliance while residents and at least one commissioner pressed for data, environmental analysis and stronger protections for stormwater and neighborhood character.