🌱 Patch AM: What’s really behind Forest Park’s police chief stepping down this fall?

Good morning Forest Park! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What's really behind Forest Park's police chief stepping down this fall?
• How a 1924 Forest Park chase ended after 12 police gunshots.

Also on today's calendar: Saxophonist Tim Warfield: Appearing Aug 20th - 23rd, at the Jazz Showcase. and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Clouds breaking for some sun, with a high of 79 and low of 65 degrees.
• Thursday: Partly sunny; low humidity, temps: high: 81, low: 64.
• Friday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 80 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Is police chief's retirement related to ICE incident? (forestparkreview.com) — Forest Park's police chief, Ken Gross, plans to retire at the end of September, following months of scrutiny over a lieutenant's off-duty gun incident and the department's role in an ICE-related encounter. Village leaders stress they want Forest Park to be welcoming and are pursuing new training standards, while discussion turns to who will lead the already short-staffed department next.
   

• Thrills in police blotters of yesteryear (forestparkreview.com) — A 1924 Forest Park police blotter entry recounts a wild high-speed chase that began on Roosevelt Road and ended with officers firing 12 shots to stop a fleeing driver, plus a separate gun-related dispute on Madison Street. This look back at Forest Park's past highlights how local policing, streets, and even familiar business corridors have long been at the center of dramatic neighborhood stories.
   

📸 Around Forest Park

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Forest Park

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★ Featured events ★

Thursday August 20
• Saxophonist Tim Warfield: Appearing Aug 20th - 23rd, at the Jazz Showcase. →
  Jazz Showcase, 806 S Plymouth Ct, Chicago
  8:00 pm
Saturday August 22
• Oak Park Microbrew Review 2026 →
  1115 North Blvd, Oak Park
  2:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday August 19
• Author Visit: Rare to Well-Done: Talking Burgers with Maggie Hennessy
  Oak Park Public Library 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL, 60301, US
  7:00 pm
Thursday August 20
• New Member Breakfast August 2026 →
  Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce Brookdale Oak Park 1111 Ontario Street Oak Park, IL 60302 Parking is available at the Holley Court village-owned parking garage, or on adjoining side streets.
  8:00 am
• Middle School Connections
  Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School Oak Park, IL 60302
  8:45 am
• Oak Park Public Library Board Finance Committee Meeting
  Oak Park Public Library 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL, 60301, US
  9:00 am
• Fair Housing Training for Housing Providers
  Oak Park Public Library 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL, 60301, US
  10:00 am
• Shake, Rattle & Read at Euclid Square Park
  Oak Park Public Library 705 Fillmore, Oak Park, IL, 60304, US
  10:00 am
• Region Meeting
  Oak Park Public Library 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL, 60301, US
  10:30 am
• Audio Booth Reservation
  Oak Park Public Library 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL, 60301, US
  10:30 am
Saturday August 22
• Garage Galleries 2026 →
  , Forest Park
  11:00 am
Saturday August 29
• 31st Street Antiques Opening Day →
  9046 31st St, Brookfield
  10:00 am

📣 Forest Park Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Forest Park PatchAM possible:

• British International School of Chicago, South Loop — (773) 312-3956
• Cathy Yanda | Baird & Warner | Oak Park & River Forest — (773) 315-7005
• Oak Park Conservatory — (708) 725-2400

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• The Ferrara Candy Company posted a job opening for Machine Operator (Engrosser) 1st Shift in Forest Park. Apply here.
• Hawk Automotive Group posted a job opening for Finance Assistant in Forest Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Forest Park here.

🗞 Nearby News

River Forest

• River Forest village board barely passes Madison Street development with 4-3 vote (oakpark.com)
• William Alistair Bernard (leesburg-news.com)
• Sweeney, Vattana lead local girls golfers (oakpark.com)

Oak Park

• Comparing Oak Park & Minneapolis (oakpark.com)
• Oak Parkers deserve to be heard (oakpark.com)

Ok Forest Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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