Support Toys for Tots

Franklin Park’s Police Department is collecting unwrapped toys for the annual Toys for Tots campaign. Please drop-off toys in the lobby of the Police Station at 9451 Belmont Avenue through December 12. Thank you for helping to make a child’s Christmas a little brighter!

Recycle Your Christmas Tree!

Discarded Christmas trees and wreaths will be picked-up will on Tuesday January 7 and 14. Put your tree on the front parkway by the curb and do not place them in the alley. Please be sure to remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and other decorations. Public Works will chip and mulch trees for use in our landscaping efforts. Please note that pick-up dates could be postponed due to weather.

Enter the Best Decorated Home for the Holidays Contest

It’s time to decorate your home for holidays! The Village is challenging our residents to add some sparkle and glow and let their holiday spirit flow! Those selected as the best decorated home for the holidays will be recognized at a Board meeting and will receive a prize. This year, the Village is requesting that anyone who wants to be considered MUST enter the contest by sending an email to villagenews@vofp.com that includes your name, address, email, phone number and a photo of your home.

Homeowners can also register to participate by calling 847-671-8236. The committee will view all of the nominated homes and select the winners only from those who contacted the Village. Decorations should adhere to the spirit of the season. Nominations will be accepted from December 2 - 14. The winner will be notified and recognized at the first board meeting in January.

Storm Related Branch Pick-up

Due to the heavy wet snow that occurred overnight, there are many downed branches throughout town. The Village estimates it will take 2 to 3 weeks to pick-up and chip all the downed branches. Currently, we are prioritizing picking up branches that are on power lines and branches that block streets. Please DO NOT put fallen branches in the street at this time because it will not be possible to pick up everything today.

If you have any questions, contact our Public Works Dept 847-671-8252. .

Municipal Aggregation Program to Restart in January

The Board recently voted to restart the Municipal Aggregation program because the Village’s program now will feature 100% renewable energy, unlike what ComEd supplies. The program’s rate will be identical to ComEd’s rate; it will not be not be higher or lower. Additionally, the supplier (Eligo Energy) will provide the Village with monetary funds to be used for renewable energy projects, such as electric car charging stations.

The program will begin in January and have a two-year term. Residents will receive a letter from the Village explaining the program which will be mailed in mid-November. Residents can opt out of the program at no charge, if they do not wish to participate. Please note that no one from ComEd, Eligo, or the Village will call or visit your home to ask you to enroll. If you are contacted and told that you must enroll, you may file a complaint with the Illinois Commerce Commission.

FAQ Green Electric Aggregation Franklin Park.

Rain Barrel Reminder

Remember to disconnect and drain your rain barrel. A constant freezing and thawing of the water inside may cause cracks in the barrel. Open the barrel’s spigot and leave it open for the period of no use, this will avoid freeze damage to the hardware of the barrel. Also, clean out the spigot to unclog any sediment. Store your barrels upside down in the winter to keep them clean for future use.

If you are a senior citizen or handicapped, please contact the Village for assistance at 847-671-8252. 

Housing Authority to Accept Applications for Senior Towers on October 17

The Housing Authority of Cook County will begin accepting applications for one bedroom units in Franklin Towers on Thursday, October 17. Franklin Towers is a Senior Living Housing Community located at 9535 West Franklin Avenue.

This project-based voucher program provides rental assistance to qualified applicants. To be eligible, applicants must be 55 years or older and income may not exceed $31,200 for a single person household or $35,650 for a two person household.

Download the application here.

Senior Snow Removal Program - Apply Now!

Apply now for the Village’s Senior Snow Removal Program. Qualified seniors, 65 or older, and disabled residents will pay a discounted fee per each service request. If you have previously participated in the program, you MUST apply again. Applications are available at Village Hall or by calling 847-671-8240. Apply early before the program fills up!

Village Seeks Snow Removal Contractors

The Village is seeking snow removal companies to provide services for Franklin Park residents as part of its Senior Snow Removal Program from November 2019 through April 2020. Interested companies must be licensed, provide proof of insurance and have been in business for a minimum of 3 years. Individual contractors will not be considered, established companies only should apply. References required. To learn more or to apply, please call 847-671-8240.

Get Help Applying for Government Assistance Programs

No appointment is necessary to meet with Leyden Family Services at Village Hall on the following Wednesdays from 9 to 11:30 AM:

• October 9 and 23
• November 6 and 20
• December 4 and 18

Staff can assist you to apply for Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, the Medicare Savings Program and LIHEAP. They can help you make sense of your medical bills, obtain prescription assistance and to get license plate discounts and free train and bus passes! Bring your Social Security award letter and paycheck stubs that show the amount of income you receive. Check the Document Checklist before you visit here ....

Final Leaf Pick-up for the Season -- Or Consider Mulching!

Leaves must be put in brown biodegradable bags and placed near your trash and recycling for pick-up by Republic Services. Leaves cannot be picked-up if put in plastic bags or in the street. Pick-up will continue until December 2. Consider skipping the raking or blowing and just cut the leaves up and leave them on the lawn. They make excellent fertilizer and you don’t have to pay for it. This is a great way to nourish your grass over the winter. You can also mulch leaves and scatter them onto vegetable gardens and flower beds. Not only do you avoid the work of raking, blowing and bagging leaves, you are also choosing a sustainable and cost-effective method of cleaning up your yard. You save by not purchasing bags and you save tax dollars on the cost to haul the leaves away!

Do NOT sweep or blow your leaves in to the street. Leaves, grass or debris blown into the street clog sewers and cause flooding and damage Village street sweepers. Also, burning leaves is not permitted.

The Department of Public Works will sweep Village curbs through late November. Please remember to check signs on your block for parking restrictions. For more information, call 847-671-8252.

Avoid Street Flooding

We ask for your assistance in helping to avoid street flooding during prolonged periods of rain, like the ones we have been experiencing lately. Please do not blow or sweep your grass cuttings or seeds into the streets. They will clog the sewers and cause a back-up of standing water onto the street if there is a heavy rain. Instead, please sweep cuttings and seeds up and mulch them or bag them for removal.

Thank you for your cooperation on this matter 

Senior Citizen, Disabled and Veteran Property Tax Exemptions Available

Make sure to check your property tax bill to verify that you are receiving all the exemptions for which you are eligible. Homeowners, 65 and older are eligible to receive a Senior Homeowner Exemption. You must apply annually to receive this exemption. Renewal notices were mailed. Make sure to return the application immediately.

The Senior Freeze Exemption is available if you have an annual household income of $65,000 or less. There are also exemptions available for Disabled Persons, Disabled Veterans and Returning Veterans. To get more information regarding these exemptions, go to www.cookcountyassessor.com and click on exemptions. Homeowners who are at least 65 years of age by June 1 and whose household income is $55,000 or less can apply for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral program.

This tax-relief program works like a loan and allows qualified seniors to defer a maximum of $5,000 per tax year which will not have to be paid until the home is sold. To check eligibility and get an application, go to www.cookcountytreasurer.com. 

Quiet Zone Update

The Village has received a $1,416,343 Pedestrian Rail Safety Grant to fund a significant portion of the safety improvements needed at the pedestrian crossing at the Calwagner and 25th Street grade crossings and the Metra Station. We are working with Metra to design and construct the safety improvements. The Village will make street improvements including installing a median barrier at 25th and Ruby. Watch our Village newsletter for updates as we move closer to obtaining a Quite Zone Designation in Franklin Park!