County Offers Low Cost Rabies Vaccines

Cook County’s Office of Animal and Rabies Control will host a clinic in Franklin Park on Wednesday, August 28 from 10 AM to 2:45 PM. The clinic will be held outside the Jewel Osco located at 10203 Grand Avenue. Rabies vaccines and microchips will be available to all dogs, cats and ferrets that are three months old and greater. Owners must be Cook County residents and will need to present a valid government-issued identification proving residency.

The cost of a one-year rabies shot at the clinics is $7 for dogs and cats. A three-year rabies shot is $21. Ferret vaccines, which last one-year, are $9. Only rabies vaccinations are available at the low-cost rabies vaccination clinics. Implantation of microchips are provided at no-cost with a rabies vaccine. The registration of the chip in a national database is $19.95 per animal. Only cash or checks are accepted at the clinic. For more information, go to https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/low-cost-rabies-clinic

West Nile Virus Precautions

The mosquito-borne West Nile Virus has been detected in our area. While the risk of contracting the virus is small, please take precautions through October. Limit your time outdoors at dusk and sunrise and carefully apply insect repellent with DEET, primarily applied to clothing. Remember to clean gutters and down spouts and to store all containers upside down, cover trash cans and empty birdbaths and wading pools regularly. Village inspectors are larviciding mosquito pools that are found or reported. Backyard catch basin can be treated by calling 847-671-8245.

Blood Drive – September 6

Give the gift of life by donating blood on Friday, September 6 from 3 – 7:30 PM in the Community Room of the Police Station.

Host a Block Party!

Want to enjoy time with your neighbors this summer? Why not schedule a Block Party! It’s a great way to catch-up with friends and to make new ones too. Block Parties can be held from Noon to 10 PM. You can review the regulations and apply to schedule a Block Party by visiting the Clerk’s Office. An application should be submitted to the Clerk' Office for approval 30 days prior to the party date. For more information, call 847-671-8242. Download the application here......

Schedule a Garage Sale

Residents must register with the Village to hold a garage sale. There is no cost to register and a garage or yard sale sign can only be placed on your property. Sales can be held for a maximum of 30 hours within a three day period and sale hours run from 8 AM to 7 PM. To register for a sale, call 847-671-8242, visit the Clerk’s Office at Village Hall or apply on-line at apply on-line HERE

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 

Village Introduces New WaterSmart Program

Franklin Park residents can sign-up to have access to a program designed to help you reduce your water usage and save money on your monthly water bills. WaterSmart is an online program that allows users to review and understand their water use. Setting up an account is fast, easy and free from a computer, tablet or smartphone.

Users can analyze current water use and also review usage history from monthly figures even down to an hourly use. The program also allows you to set up alerts via text or email to help you detect leaks or other unintended water use. In addition,you to compare your water use with other similar users in your area. WaterSmart is available now but you must enroll to participate by calling 847-671-8252.

https://franklinpark.watersmart.com

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!