Timothy Welbeck, Temple University

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

On the evening of May 21, 1796, Ona Judge made the daring decision to free herself.

Considering the prominence of her owner, the laws of the time, and the dangerous trek to New Hampshire, where she could live freely, the act carried significant risk. Nevertheless, she slipped out of the President’s House undetected while the first family dined.

The house, then located at the intersection of 6th and Market streets in Philadelphia, served as the first executive mansion. It stood mere feet from Independence Hall, where the nation adopted its lofty language regarding freedom.

Years later, Judge described her narrow escape to Rev. Benjamin Chase in an interview for the abolitionist newspaper The Liberator. Judge told Chase, “I had friends among the colored people of Philadelphia, had my things carried there beforehand, and left Washington’s house while they were eating dinner.”

Prior to her escape, Judge served as a chambermaid in the President’s House. She spent years tending to Martha Washington’s every need: bathing and dressing her, grooming her hair, laundering her clothes, organizing her personal belongings, and even periodically caring for her children and grandchildren.

Being a chambermaid also included grueling daily tasks such as maintaining fires, emptying chamber pots, and scrubbing floors.

Ona Judge Was to be a Wedding Gift

Even though she engaged in this arduous labor as property of the Washingtons, living in Philadelphia provided Judge a glimpse of what freedom could eventually look like for her. Historians estimate that 5% to 9% of the city’s population at the time were free Black people. Prior to her escape, Judge befriended several of them.

In the spring of 1796, the Washingtons prepared to return to Virginia to resume private life. President Washington issued his farewell address in the fall of 1796, but he told family and close confidants of his plans earlier in the year.

During that time, Martha Washington made arrangements for their pending return to Mount Vernon. Her plans included bequeathing Ona Judge to her granddaughter, Elizabeth Parke Custis, as a wedding gift. Upon learning this, Judge made plans of her own.

In her interview with Chase, she explained, “Whilst they were packing up to go to Virginia, I was packing to go, I didn’t know where; for I knew that if I went back to Virginia, I should never get my liberty.”

As a civil rights lawyer and professor in the Africology and African American Studies department at Temple University in Philadelphia, I study the intersection of race, racism, and the law in the United States. I believe Judge’s story is vital to the telling of America’s history.

Dismantling history

Erica Armstrong Dunbar, a professor of African American Studies at Emory University, tells Judge’s fascinating story in her book “Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of their Runaway Slave Ona Judge.”

Before January 2026, those who wished to learn about Judge could literally stand on the same walkway in Philadelphia where Judge once stood when she chose to flee. Several footprints, shaped like a woman’s shoes and embedded into the pathway outside of where the President’s House once stood, memorialize the beginning of Judge’s journey. These footprints composed part of an exhibit examining the paradox between slavery, freedom, and the nation’s founding.

The exhibit, “Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation,” also included 34 explanatory panels bolted onto brick walls along that sidewalk. They provided biographical details about the nine people the Washingtons owned while living in the presidential mansion. The exhibit presented the sobering reality that our nation’s first president enslaved people while he held the nation’s highest office.

This changed in late January when the National Park Service dismantled the slavery exhibit at Philadelphia Independence National Historic Park. The removal sparked intense, immediate outrage from people across the country, dismayed by the attempt to suppress unfavorable aspects of American history.

Mayor: Federal Government Violated Agreement

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker responded swiftly. “Let me affirm, for the residents of the city of Philadelphia, that there is a cooperative agreement between the city and the federal government that dates back to 2006,” she said in a public statement. “That agreement requires parties to meet and confer if there are to be any changes made to an exhibit.”

The city of Philadelphia later sued Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the acting director of the National Park Service, Jessica Bowron. Pennsylvania subsequently filed an amicus brief in support of the city’s lawsuit.

After an inspection of the exhibit’s panels, U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe, who is overseeing the case, ruled that the government must mitigate any potential damage to them while they are stored.

Civil rights activist and Philadelphia-based attorney Michael Coard recently had an opportunity to visit and examine the exhibits in storage. Coard has led the fight to create and preserve the exhibit and now is at the center of the fight to restore it.

Limiting discussion of race

While the court deliberates the future of the exhibits, critics continue to raise key concerns about their removal. Many argue the National Park Service’s dismantling of the exhibit is an attempt to “whitewash history” and erase stories like Ona Judge’s.

This is particularly the case considering the Trump administration has restored and reinstalled two Confederate monuments of Albert Pike in Washington, D.C., and Arlington National Cemetery, while removing the slavery exhibit in Philadelphia.

Moreover, during the first week of his second term, Trump signed multiple executive orders to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

Trump’s Efforts to Counterbalance the 1619 Project

Similarly, during the first Trump administration, the federal government engaged in various efforts to counterbalance the 1619 Project, a project spearheaded by Pulitzer-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones that discussed the 400th anniversary of slavery’s beginnings in America. The 1619 Project spawned yearslong backlash. This included the 1776 Commission, created during the first Trump administration, which tried to discredit the conclusions of the 1619 Project.

It is all part of a broader pattern across the country to limit how public institutions broach topics pertaining to race and racism.

This pattern has intensified as the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the framers signing the Declaration of Independence. As the nation celebrates its history, it must decide how much of it to explore.

Read more of our stories about Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, or sign up for our Philadelphia newsletter on Substack.

Timothy Welbeck, Director of the Center for Anti-Racism, Temple University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

ENEWSPF

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Officers arrested a Homewook man twice in one evening after he allegedly entered someone else’s vehicle twice. The second time, police allege they found the man inside the car. He refused to get out, police said. “You’re going to have to fight me,” he allegedly told them.

Police removed him from the vehicle after a struggle.

Park Forest Police Blotter Reports Beginning December 21, 2025

Aggravated Assault

Police arrested Ashley Johnson, 29, of the 100 block of N. Arbor Trl., Park Forest, on December 21 and charged her with aggravated assault when police responded to the 100 block of N. Arbor Trl. to investigate a complaint of a person with a firearm. Ms. Johnson did not have a firearm, according to police. She alleged that a man who was present had a firearm, according to police.

Police took the man into custody and searched his person with negative results. The man told police he “literally took her knife from her,” according to the report. Police found Ms. Johnson sitting on her porch. The man alleged that he and Ms. Johnson engaged in a verbal disagreement during which Ms. Johnson pulled a knife and pepper spray on him, according to police. Police found no firearm, but they did find the knife and pepper spray, police said.

Criminal Trespass to a Vehicle

Police arrested Kyland A. Johnson, 31, of the 18000 block of Los Angeles Ave., Homewood, on December 23 and charged him with criminal trespass to a vehicle and resisting a police officer. Mr. Johnson has a preliminary court date of March 3, 2026, at the Markham Courthouse.

Police responded to the 100 block of Main Street at 6:51 PM to investigate a report of a disturbance. The complainant alleged that Mr. Johnson entered her vehicle without her permission, then went under the hood and did something to it, according to police.

Criminal Damage to Property

Police arrested Kyland A. Johnson, 31, of the 18000 block of Los Angeles Ave., Homewood, on December 23 and charged him with criminal damage to property, trespass to real property, and resisting a peace officer. Mr. Johnson has a preliminary court date of March 3, 2026, at the Markham courthouse regarding these charges.

Police responded to the 100 block of Main Street at 9:54 PM to investigate a report of criminal damage to property. While they were en route, SouthCom Dispatch told officers that Mr. Johnson had returned to the 100 block of Main Street and had attempted to enter the same vehicle involved in the previous incident that night.

The complainant alleged that, when she was about to leave for work, she saw Mr. Johnson by her vehicle. She then called the police and went inside to wait for officers. Police found Mr. Johnson lying down in the passenger seat of the complainant’s car, according to police.

“You’re Going to Have to Fight Me,” Police Report Man Said.

Mr. Johnson allegedly told police he would not leave the vehicle willingly, police said. He allegedly said officers could “come on in whenever you’re ready,” and “you’re going to have to fight me,” according to police. Mr. Johnson began removing articles of clothing from himself while punching the air, according to police.

While backup responded, the arresting officer instructed Mr. Johnson to exit the car. He allegedly refused, insisting that he wanted to fight, police said. He then allegedly grabbed a large brick from near his feet. The officer tried to open the driver’s side door, advising Mr. Johnson that he was under arrest and the officer would tase him if he did not comply. Instead, Mr. Johnson allegedly refused to open the door and kept locking it after police unlocked it with the owner’s keys.

The man then allegedly threw the brick at the front windshield. He next reportedly began ripping the gear shifter from the vehicle.

Mr. Johnson exited the vehicle from the passenger side. The officer then informed him he would tase him, informing Mr. Johnson that he was arresting him. At this point, the officer pointed his Taser at Mr. Johnson, ordering him again to comply and to get on the ground. Mr. Johnson allegedly refused. The officer fired his Taser twice at the man. According to the report, due to the man’s loose-fitting clothing and “extreme intoxication and extreme delirium,” the probes made contact but did not work effectively.

In the end, it took three officers to subdue Mr. Johnson and put him in cuffs. All the while, Mr. Johnson kept saying, “I’m not getting on the ground,” according to the report.

Aggravated Speeding

Police arrested Lionel D. James Jr., 30, of the 300 block of Lakewood Blvd., Park Forest, on December 28 and charged him with aggravated speeding, driving while his license was suspended, resisting arrest, and failure to wear a seatbelt.

An officer was parked at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and Indiana Street conducting radar speed enforcement when he saw a black SUV heading eastbound at a very high rate of speed. According to the officer’s radar, the SUV was traveling at 81 miles per hour, where the posted speed limit was 40 mph. It was 3:19 AM.

The officer put his squad into Drive and drove onto Lincoln Highway, which took about 10 seconds. He saw the SUV brake hard and turn right onto Orchard Drive southbound. The officer caught up to the vehicle and ran its registration, which identified it as a black 2018 BMW X5. He curbed the BMW on Orchard Drive at Illinois Street.

Approaching the SUV, the officer spoke with the driver, Lionel D. James Jr., who was not wearing a seatbelt, according to police. The officer later discovered that the seatbelt was plugged in behind the driver’s back, police said. Asked why he was driving so fast, Mr. James allegedly said he was trying to get home, according to police. The officer discovered that Mr. James had a suspended driver’s license.

DUI Drugs

Police arrested Elijah J. Ray, 23, of the 1400 block of Wayne Dr., Crete, on December 28 and charged him with driving while under the influence of drugs, possession of cannabis, improper lane usage, failure by a driver to wear a seatbelt, and driving with a suspended license. Mr. Ray has an initial court date of March 3, 2026.

An officer patrolling at 9:22 PM heading eastbound on Sauk Trail found himself next to a 2010 Volkswagen. The Volkswagen allegedly drifted into the officer’s lane, forcing the officer to drive into the center lane and onto the median turning lane, according to police. The officer slowed and saw the vehicle drift over the center lane into the officer’s lane, according to police. He curbed the vehicle at the intersection of Sauk Trail and Orchard Drive. Elijah J. Ray was the driver, police said.

Asked why he was driving in multiple lanes, Mr. Ray allegedly said that he did not notice the officer’s vehicle next to him. According to the report, Mr. Ray had read, glassy eyes, slow movements and speech, and there was a strong odor of burnt cannabis emanating from the vehicle, according to police.

The officer discovered that Mr. Ray had a suspended driver’s license. He took Mr. Ray into custody on suspicion of driving with a suspended license. While being transported to the Park Forest Police Department, a distance of about two blocks, Mr. Ray appeared to have difficulty keeping his eyes open and would close them as if he were falling asleep, according to police. He then shook his head for a bit before closing his eyes again, police said. At the station, the officer conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests with Mr. Ray. After the tests, the officer charged him.

Related

• Remarks by President Obama on the Nomination of Mayor Anthony Foxx as Secretary of Transportation
• Statement from Governor Pat Quinn on U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s Decision
• Statement by President Obama on Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood
• Wisconsin Woman Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Stealing More Than $2 Million from Illinois Companies
• Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces That He Will Not Serve for a Second Term

About Police Reports

Please note that we repeatedly say “according to police” in these reports and often use “allegedly.” We are not asserting that the police officers arrested and charged committed any offenses. We report on the information contained in the reports that the police furnish to us. As those accused are innocent until proven guilty, the burden is on prosecutors and police to prove all alleged crimes.

eNews Park Forest has consistently published the names and addresses of those arrested and will continue to do so. 5 ILCS 140/2.15 states that the governmental body (for these reports, the Police Department) shall release information on those charged, including their name, age, and address. This information is necessary to ensure the proper identification of those arrested.

Presumption of Innocence

An arrest does not mean that a person is guilty. The law presumes that all those arrested by police are innocent until proven guilty. It is the policy of eNews Park Forest not to remove items from the public record from publication. Suppose you find your name in the police reports. Our policy is that we will only add information relevant to the final disposition of the case at hand, e.g., “Mr. Smith was subsequently acquitted,” “Mr. Smith entered a guilty plea,” or “All charges against Mr. Smith were subsequently dropped.” We will do so upon receiving and verifying proof of such disposition.

We do not strike, “unpublish,” or delete news.

According to police, officers captured all the incidents in this report on body-worn and dash-mounted cameras at the respective scenes. All Park Forest police officers wear body-worn cameras. Officials typically abbreviate these devices as BWC in the reports.

We encourage individuals wishing to leave anonymous information regarding any criminal matters, including narcotics or gang activity, to call the Park Forest Police Department’s Investigations Division at (708) 748-1309.

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Police located a suspect from Gary, IN, using a department drone in late December. According to police, the man allegedly fled into the woods near North Arbor Trail and Sycamore Drive. Officers recovered a number of weapons and rounds of ammunition, leading to multiple felony weapons and other charges.

Police arrested Keoni F. Ellis, 26, of the 1000 block of Van Buren St., Gary, IN, on December 22 and charged him with two felony counts of possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, fleeing/attempting to elude an officer, resisting, criminal damage to property, and criminal trespass.

Caller: Man Allegedly Kicked in Back Door of a Home

An officer responded to the first block of S. Arbor Trl. on December 22 at 6:45 PM to investigate a report of a burglary in progress. SouthCom Dispatch advised police that the caller reported a man who allegedly kicked in the back door of a home in the first block of S. Arbor Trl., police said. The man arrived in a black Chevrolet Trailblazer with tinted windows, according to the caller. The caller alleged that the man was a squatter, according to police.

Upon arrival, two officers were traveling eastbound on Sycamore Drive in fully marked police vehicles. SouthCom Dispatch advised that the Chevrolet left the parking lot as officers were arriving. Moments later, one of the officers saw a black Chevrolet SUV heading westbound on Sycamore Drive. The officer blocked off the westbound lanes with his patrol vehicle.

SUV Reportedly Travels in Reverse Away from Police

The Chevy pulled alongside the officer’s patrol vehicle. The officer exited his vehicle and told the driver to stop. The driver allegedly put the Chevrolet into reverse and began backing away from police at a high rate of speed, according to the report. An officer activated his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens.

The Chevrolet continued to travel in reverse, southeast, into a grassy area off Sycamore Dr. near North Arbor Trail, according to police. There, it stopped near a tree line. Police saw the driver exit the vehicle and run into the tree line, according to the report.

Officer Deploys Department Drone

An officer exited his patrol vehicle and approached the Chevrolet along with two other officers who had since arrived on the scene. Police cleared the vehicle. One officer remained with the SUV. Another officer arrived on the scene and deployed the Park Forest Police Department drone.

Two other officers began checking the area for the driver. One of them saw a subject running eastbound near the rear of S. Arbor Trail residences. Police ran towards the last known direction of travel but lost sight of the subject. The officer operating the drone advised that he located a subject walking and running west of the S. Arbor Trail homes. Police ran towards the last known direction of travel but lost sight of the subject.

The drone operator continued to provide updates on the subject’s location. He advised that the subject went westbound into the woods in the area, according to police. Police entered the woods and continued to search for the subject. The drone operator advised that he still had a view of the subject and directed officers to his location.

Two officers located the subject deep in the woods in the area, at which time one of them pointed his service weapon at the man and ordered him not to move, according to police. The subject raised his hands and complied with the officer’s instructions, according to police. Police took him into custody and identified him as the registered owner of the Chevrolet, Keoni F. Ellis, police said.

Coy’s Towing towed the vehicle to the Park Forest Police Department grot. There, one officer began an inventory search of the vehicle. He found a safe in the back seat. This officer also located a black duffel bag in the trunk.

Inside the duffel bag, police allegedly found:

• A tan and black 9 mm handgun with a loaded ProMag drum magazine inserted with 44 live CBC 9 mm rounds. There was no round in the chamber. The weapon’s serial numbers were defaced, according to police.
• A gold and black 9 mm handgun with a loaded blue magazine inserted that had 17 live Sig 9 mm rounds. No rounds were chambered, and the officer found the serial number defaced, according to the report.
• A black .233/.556 short barrel AR 15 rifle with a loaded magazine inserted that held 59 live PSD .223 caliber rounds. No round was chambered. This weapon had a serial number and, after inquiry, returned clear, no record.
• A blue .223 magazine containing 19 live Hornady .223 caliber rounds.
• Five ETS group magazines were not loaded.
• Sixty-two loose rounds in the duffel bag: 22 live Hornady .556 caliber rounds, 20 live F. C. 9 mm rounds, and 20 live Federal 10 mm rounds.
• One black 9 mm ETS group magazine containing 17 live rounds, 12 F. C., and five Hornady.
• A black 9 mm Glock magazine containing eleven 9 mm rounds, eight Sig rounds, and three Hornady.

Police also recovered narcotics and paraphernalia from the residence on S. Arbor Trl. that the man allegedly broke into. These consisted of four large mushroom grow kit bags, six spore syringes, two empty syringes, six separate hypodermic needles, 15 Myco Labs agar plates, one glass jar containing 27 g of Psilocybin (magic mushrooms), one glass jar containing 13 g of a green leafy substance (suspected cannabis), two glass jars containing an unknown brown liquid, and one digital scale.

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Police charged two men with DUI on the same day in separate instances. According to one officer, one of the men spoke almost unintelligibly when asked if he knew where he was. “Right there on almon [sic],” he reportedly said.

These reports follow. They do not appear to be the result of targeted enforcement. Officers in these cases were simply focused and alert.

Park Forest Police Blotter Reports Beginning December 21, 2025

DUI Alcohol

Police arrested Bryan T. Peters, 36, of the 100 block of Westwood Dr., Park Forest, on December 21 and charged him with driving while under the influence of alcohol and issued him a citation charging no front registration plate.

An officer was on patrol in the 400 block of Sauk Trail when he observed a silver vehicle heading eastbound on Sauk Trail, allegedly without a front registration plate. It was 1:33 AM.

The vehicle turned northbound on Lakewood Boulevard, at which point the officer activated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Lakewood Boulevard and Waverly Street. Mr. Peters was the driver and sole occupant of the car.

Officer Suspects DUI

While speaking with Mr. Peters, the officer said in the report that he had a distinct slurred to his speech, glassy eyes, and his breath emanated a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, according to police. Asking where he was coming from, Mr. Peters allegedly answered, “The bar right there,” according to police. The officer asked if he meant Bixby’s, and Mr. Peters answered, “Yeah,” according to police.

The officer asked Mr. Peters to exit the vehicle and perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. After the tests, detailed in the report, the officer arrested Mr. Peters on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Mr. Peters refused to provide a breath sample at the station.

DUI Alcohol

Police arrested Kreon J. Roberts, 48, of the 3000 block of E. Bending Creek Trl., Crete, on December 21 and charged him with illegal parking and driving under the influence of alcohol.

An officer responded to the area of Sauk Trail and Western Avenue at 7:58 PM to investigate a report of a vehicle stopped in traffic. Upon arrival, the officer saw a blue vehicle parked in the middle of the road.

Approaching the car on the driver’s side, the officer saw a man in the driver’s seat who appeared to be sleeping, according to police. According to the report, the officer had to knock on the window numerous times before he was able to make contact with the driver, later identified as Kreon J. Roberts. Mr. Roberts was the only occupant of the car.

The officer asked Mr. Roberts where he was coming from. Mr. Roberts allegedly responded, “Right there on almon [sic],” almost unintelligibly, according to police. Asking Mr. Roberts if he knew where he was at that moment, Mr. Roberts allegedly said, “Park Forest sermon, uhm, Park Forest Hills right now,” according to police. The officer asked Mr. Roberts why he was asleep behind the wheel in traffic. Mr. Roberts allegedly responded, “Just yes, sir,” according to police.

Officer Notes Signs of Alleged Intoxication

The officer noticed the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Mr. Roberts’s breath. He also observed Mr. Roberts to have bloodshot, glassy eyes and slurred speech, according to police.

The officer asked Mr. Roberts to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests. He agreed to do so, according to police. After the tests, the officer arrested Mr. Roberts on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Later, at the Park Forest Police Department, Mr. Roberts refused to provide a breathalyzer sample, according to police.

About Police Reports

Please note that we repeatedly say “according to police” in these reports and often use “allegedly.” We are not asserting that the police officers arrested and charged committed any offenses. We report on the information contained in the reports that the police furnish to us. As those accused are innocent until proven guilty, the burden is on prosecutors and police to prove all alleged crimes.

eNews Park Forest has consistently published the names and addresses of those arrested and will continue to do so. 5 ILCS 140/2.15 states that the governmental body (for these reports, the Police Department) shall release information on those charged, including their name, age, and address. This information is necessary to ensure the proper identification of those arrested.

Presumption of Innocence

An arrest does not mean that a person is guilty. The law presumes that all those arrested by police are innocent until proven guilty. It is the policy of eNews Park Forest not to remove items from the public record from publication. Suppose you find your name in the police reports. Our policy is that we will only add information relevant to the final disposition of the case at hand, e.g., “Mr. Smith was subsequently acquitted,” “Mr. Smith entered a guilty plea,” or “All charges against Mr. Smith were subsequently dropped.” We will do so upon receiving and verifying proof of such disposition.

We do not strike, “unpublish,” or delete news.

According to police, officers captured all the incidents in this report on body-worn and dash-mounted cameras at the respective scenes. All Park Forest police officers wear body-worn cameras. Officials typically abbreviate these devices as BWC in the reports.

We encourage individuals wishing to leave anonymous information regarding any criminal matters, including narcotics or gang activity, to call the Park Forest Police Department’s Investigations Division at (708) 748-1309.

Washington, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)— U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced two bicameral bills to investigate marketing practices of the gun industry and to implement consumer safety standards for guns. After years of evading commonsense consumer practices, the gun industry will abide by the same safety and marketing standards as other industries under Rep. Kelly’s Responsible Firearms Marketing Act and Firearm Safety Act.

“For far too long, the gun lobby has held politicians in its clutches, but I’ve taken on the gun lobby—and won,” said Rep. Kelly. “I’m taking the fight to the gun industry’s pocketbooks because they should not be able to profit off gun violence and death. The gun industry advertises the number one killer of children and teenagers—to children and teenagers themselves. It’s sick and twisted. Guns should be sold responsibly with the basic safety standards expected for such deadly weapons.”

The Responsible Firearms Marketing Act

The Responsible Firearms Marketing Act, cosponsored by U.S. Senator Dick Blumenthal (D-CT) and 14 U.S. Representatives, would direct the Federal Trade Commission to launch an investigation into the advertising and marketing practices of gun manufacturers.

“Deceptive firearms marketing exploits and fuels gun violence — and must be stopped. Our goal is to hold gun manufacturers accountable who prey on vulnerable consumers to fatten their profits. Turning a blind eye to these dishonest advertisements and promotional campaigns will continue to threaten public safety,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Wrongdoers must be accountable. Our legislation – along with the FTC’s enforcement – will prevent the industry from peddling these dangerous weapons of war by misleading buyers.”

The investigation would focus on advertisements aimed at children. It would also target ads that imply or encourage illegal use of weapons. There are assault weapons common in mass shootings. The law includes them all. Semiautomatic assault weapons are often the gun of choice for mass shooters due to their rapid-fire rate, causing maximum carnage.

Kelly: Examples of Gun Industry’s Marketing and Advertising Practices

Some examples of the gun industry’s marketing and advertising practices include:

• Wee 1 Tactical: This Illinois-headquartered gun manufacturer advertised the “JR-15,” a child-sized AR-15 semiautomatic rifle. It included the tagline, “Get ‘em One Like Yours,” and the gun was decorated with cartoon skulls and crossbones.
• Daniel Defense: Daniel Defense posted a photo of a child holding an assault rifle. A Bible verse accompanied this image. It read, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Days later, a gunman armed with a Daniel Defense AR-15 killed 21 people and injured 18 others. This was the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
• Smith & Wesson: A gunman killed seven people and injured 48 more. This happened at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. He used a Smith & Wesson M&P15 semiautomatic rifle, abbreviated for “Military and Police.” Smith & Wesson advertisements often feature military associations aimed at young male civilians, promising they will “Experience More Adrenaline.”
• Mean Arms: This manufacturer’s magazine lock came with removal instructions. This allowed for higher magazine capacity. The shooter who killed ten people in a racist attack in Buffalo, New York, commented on this. He wrote in his manifesto how he easily removed the lock. This enabled him to add 30-round magazines, which are illegal in New York.

Goal: Include Pistols, Revolvers, and Other Guns in CPSC’s Definition of “Consumer Product.”

The Firearm Safety Act would remove the exclusion of pistols, revolvers, and other guns from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s definition of “consumer product.” U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 31 U.S. Representatives cosponsor the legislation. This would allow the Commission to issue additional safety standards. These would include warning labels on guns and ammunition, as well as recalls of defective guns. There have been multiple incidents of the SIG Sauer P320 pistol firing without anyone pulling the trigger. Nevertheless, SIG Sauer refuses to recall its flagship gun.

“Every year, 500 Americans lose their lives because of a defective firearm. Still, there are no comprehensive safety regulations to recall weapons with manufacturing defects or known hazards,” said Senator Booker. “Decades ago, the gun lobby ensured that firearms became the only consumer product in America exempt from federal health and safety regulations. Today, they are the leading cause of death for children and teens. This is unacceptable. Congress has a responsibility to put lives ahead of special interests and close this loophole. Guns must be treated like all other consumer products.” 

Currently, CPSC has jurisdiction over more than 15,000 consumer products. These include toys, coffee, lawn mowers, or any product that poses “unreasonable risks of serious injury or death.” Yet, guns and ammunition are not regulated, despite more than 4.6 million children living in homes with an unsecured gun.

Endorsements of Organizations

Both bills have the endorsement of Brady United, Everytown, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance, and Community Justice.

Brady United

“To end the gun violence epidemic in our country, Congress must make meaningful reforms to rein in the profit-driven gun industry that has armed this crisis without accountability,” said Kris Brown, President of Brady United. “The Responsible Firearms Marketing Act and the Firearm Safety Act will jump-start this change by banning the gun industry’s predatory marketing practices towards children and teens and by allowing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to set commonsense safety standards for firearm sales. Brady is grateful to Representative Kelly for introducing these life-saving bills and for her long-standing dedication to freeing America from gun violence.”

GIFFORDS

“Just like other industries, the gun industry should be held accountable for how it markets products to the public, and especially to children,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director at GIFFORDS. “Rep. Kelly’s bills seek to put commonsense safeguards in place to keep Americans, and especially children, safe. GIFFORDS urges Congress to use its power to check the gun industry and keep consumers safe by passing these bills.”

Newtown Action Alliance

“Gun manufacturers have shown us exactly who they are: companies willing to target children with deceptive ads for weapons of war to secure the next generation of customers. At a time when firearms are the number one killer of American children and teens, this is immoral and dangerous,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance.  “As a neighbor of the gunman who killed 26 children and educators with an AR-15 at Sandy Hook Elementary School—and someone who has witnessed the devastation caused when lethal weapons are easily accessible and aggressively marketed—I know these reforms are long overdue. Congress must act swiftly and decisively to protect our children.”

Community Justice Action Fund

“Congresswoman Robin Kelly has always been a leader when it comes to holding the gun industry accountable for their role in our nation’s gun violence crisis. We cannot allow the industry to irresponsibly market firearms, especially to children and minors for whom guns are the number one cause of their premature death,” said Adzi Vokhiwa, Vice President of Policy at Community Justice Action Fund. “Additionally, it is critical that guns themselves are properly regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ensure that the appropriate safety standards are upheld. We thank Congresswoman Kelly for introducing the Firearm Safety and Responsible Marketing Firearms Acts to address these important gaps in the law and urge Congress to pass these bills swiftly.”

The Legislation

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— As winter weather continues across the Chicago region, Park Forest officials say they have sufficient, if not strong, road salt on hand to maintain safe travel conditions for the remainder of the winter season, despite a broader salt shortage affecting parts of the Midwest.

The Village’s Public Works Department began the 2025–26 snow season with approximately 1,970 tons of salt stored in its dome, according to Public Works Director Roderick Ysaguirre.

There were times when the village ran low on salt. Not this year.

“We started out this snow season with 90 percent of our dome being full,” Ysaguirre said. “We now have about 900 tons in the salt dome and have just ordered 800 tons under our current contract.”

Ysaguirre said the Village has consistently entered winter seasons with a nearly full salt dome, relying on leftover supply from the prior year rather than placing early pre-season orders.

“So, we never ordered at the start of the season. We use salt left over from the prior season,” Ysaguirre said.

Strong Salt Supply Over 1000 Tons

Currently, the Village has about 1,070 tons of salt available, including material on hand and pending deliveries. Under its existing contract, the Village requested 1,320 tons of salt for the season. The contract requires the Village to purchase at least 80% of that amount — approximately 1,056 tons — and allows for purchases up to 20% above the requested total, or up to 1,584 tons, if conditions warrant.

The Village’s preparedness comes as some communities and private contractors across the Midwest have reported difficulty securing road salt due to increased demand and supply chain challenges. Chicago-area officials have acknowledged the shortage, while emphasizing that municipal stockpiles remain stable.

This season, winter weather has been more active than average. The National Weather Service reports that the Chicago area has already received above-normal snowfall compared to seasonal averages, with totals exceeding those recorded at the same point last winter. Typical full-season snowfall for the region averages around 38 inches.

“I think people expect crews to move snow and keep roads safe no matter the weather,” Ysaguirre said. “Our goal is to make sure we have the materials and equipment to do that all season.”

The Village of Park Forest will continue to monitor weather conditions and adjust operations as needed to ensure roadways remain passable and safe for residents and commuters throughout the remainder of the winter.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— eNews Park Forest has frequently reported on the proposal to build the Southland Career and Technical Education Center (SCTEC) on the footprint of the former Rich East High School in Park Forest. This facility would serve Rich Township students and students from surrounding townships. In addition, it would enable them to train for careers in construction, manufacturing, aviation, public safety, urban agriculture, information technology, and logistics.

Initial discussions about the need for such a facility began in 2019 and generated high community interest. However, progress toward reality has been so slow that many in the community question whether the facility will ever be built.

To learn the latest project developments, eNews Park Forest interviewed Dr. Johnnie Thomas, Superintendent of Rich Township 227. Dr. Thomas is also the public spokesman for the effort.

The Superintendent’s Perspective

Dr. Thomas provided assurances that the SCTEC plans remain active. In fact, Dr. Thomas noted that in the past few weeks, the district submitted an application to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for the SCTEC consortium of schools to become an Area Career Center. This would allow the districts involved to provide regional programming across schools. As a result, course and program selection for all students would expand. He expects to receive a response to the request by the end of February.

In explaining the delay in submitting the application, Thomas stated that “for every career cluster (area of study), we had to do a forum with experts in those clusters on what the curriculum should look like, how it should be developed, what the design needs to be, so that we could put those details into our submission to the state.”

He also noted that, with the submission of the application, the consortium will be “reaching out to the Governor’s office to see what support we can get for the actual building of the facility itself.”

Actual Construction Up to Two Years

Thomas stated that once the district receives approval and secures funding sources, the design phase of the project would take about a year. Moreover, actual construction “is going to take a year and a half to two years.”

Assuming approvals and funding come through in 2026, the facility would open, at the earliest, in 2029. Thomas agreed that 2029 was realistic “if everything goes perfectly.”

The consortium of involved districts includes Rich Township District 227, Bloom Township District 206, Homewood-Flossmoor District 233, Southland College Prep Charter High School District 162, Speed SEJA District 802, and Prairie State College. These districts have all signed onto an intergovernmental agreement in support of the new facility. Nevertheless, Crete-Monee District 201-U and Thornton Township District 205 were previously part of the consortium but are not currently members.

Shared Programs in Advance of the SCTEC?

In previous public forums, including a Lunch & Learn held in October of 2024 and a Summit held in April of 2025, Thomas mentioned the possibility of the districts sharing programs before the new facility opens. Assuming the ISBE approves the Area Career Center application, Thomas said officials could introduce the shared program concept as early as this Fall. Furthermore, the technical education directors at each school are beginning to discuss which programs are appropriate.

When asked about the lack of new information on the project over the past few months, Dr. Thomas stated that they had wanted to complete the application and approval phases with ISBE before they shared an update. He also added, “Once we get the approval, I will work with decision makers to set up community discussions so that they can be informed about where we are.

As Always, Funding Remains an Obstacle

The original cost of the facility, including demolition of the existing Rich East building, was about $100M. Thomas did not have an updated estimate. However, he stated, “We are going to strive for that, but be flexible enough to adjust to the realities of the work.”

The districts involved would cover the Center’s ongoing costs. However, funding for the facility’s construction would be through federal, state, and private sources. A $1.74M grant secured by Rep. Robin Kelly enabled the creation of preliminary design plans. Nevertheless, Thomas acknowledged that securing additional funding will be challenging, but he remains optimistic.

“We continue to work with our local and federal partners to submit grants to help with the capital build piece. Some grants have been released, some have not. As soon as those grants become available, we are actively trying to apply for and secure those funds. There just are not a lot of capital grants out there right now.”

Thomas noted that they received letters of support from local officials. These include Senator Tom Joyce, Representative Tony DeLuca, and Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin, sent to the Appropriations Committees in Springfield. The letters requested funds for the SCTEC. “This is one of the criteria that the Governor had for us.”

Does the New STEM Center in Olympia Fields Conflict with the SCTEC Goals?

Rich Township recently announced a new $16M addition to its STEM center in Olympia Fields. The addition aims to help prepare students for careers in horticulture, construction, aviation, and automotive technology.

What about potential duplication of effort between that expansion and the areas of study at the SCTEC? Here, Thomas said he has an obligation to ensure that students in his district have the appropriate educational environment in which to work. He believes the courses available at SCTEC would allow advanced study. In turn, this would let students take their learning “to the next level.”

A Final Word About the SCTEC’s Future

The bottom line, according to Thomas, is that the Center’s plans remain unchanged. This, despite there being little news about the venture lately. Moreover, it is still an active project for the districts involved in the consortium.

“I am always going to be the optimist. I always think big for our families and our kids. We think that this is something that would be huge for the region, and we’ll continue to push forward until somebody tells me to go sit down.”

Related Stories:

• Touching base with Superintendent about Technical Education Center at Rich East Site
• Is the Southland Career & Technical Education Center on Track? District 227 Superintendent Provides Assurances
• Efforts to Transform Rich East campus to new Career Center Continue
• Southland Career & Technical Education Center (SCTEC) Plans Call for 2028 Opening
• Southland Career & Technical Education Center Moves Closer to Reality

Washington, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)— U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), who is leading articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, voted against the funding package that includes a two-week funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security. The funding package passed 217-214.

“Secretary Kristi Noem is taking taxpayer dollars to weaponize her agency and unleash her Gestapo agents in cities across the country,” said Rep. Kelly. “Instead of exercising our considerable power of the purse to rein in ICE, Speaker Johnson would rather bow to the President’s whims. It is imperative to put guardrails around ICE so that civil rights are no longer trampled. We need to dismantle ICE, and it starts with the head. Secretary Noem must be impeached.”

Rep. Kelly is impeaching Sec. Noem with 185 cosponsors

Rep. Kelly rallied against Secretary Noem with Democratic caucuses this morning. Last summer, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement received $75 billion from President Donald Trump’s “Big Ugly Law.”

This is news from Congresswoman Robin Kelly.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Here’s what to expect when the Village of Park Forest Board of Trustees convenes Monday night. Trustees will formally recognize Black History Month during a special regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 2. Additionally, the board will consider changes to fire service billing practices. The board will also likely approve an appointment to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Village Hall board room, 350 Victory Drive.

Trustees will likely approve a consent agenda that includes the minutes of the Jan. 20 regular meeting. It also includes a resolution appointing an authorized agent to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. The resolution would designate Human Resource Generalist Rachel Jones as the Village’s IMRF-authorized agent. The accounting manager previously held this role. IMRF is the pension system covering full-time Village employees. However, it does not cover employees enrolled in the police or fire pension plans.

What to Expect: Fire Service Rates and Billing

Two ordinances related to fire service rates and billing will be on the docket for first reading and discussion.

The first proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 42 of the Village Code to allow the Park Forest Fire Department to bill insurance companies for certain emergency fire and rescue responses. Under the proposal, fees for services such as

• motor vehicle extrication,
• hazardous materials incidents,
• fires, water rescues,
• and special rescues

Services would be calculated using national insurance billing rates adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Village officials say the change would allow the Fire Department to recover a portion of its taxpayer-funded operational costs. Importantly, it would not impose additional fees on residents.

What to Expect: Fire Department Responses in Unincorporated Areas Outside Village Limits

The second ordinance addresses fire department responses to incidents in unincorporated areas outside Village limits. The proposal would update service charges to reflect current costs, including personnel fees per responder, apparatus and vehicle fees, and charges for consumable or extraordinary materials. The ordinance would also allow the Village to bill uninsured property owners directly when applicable. If ultimately approved, the amended ordinance would take effect on March 1.

What to Expect: National Black History Month Proclamation

The agenda also includes a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as National Black History Month. The proclamation notes that 2026 marks 100 years since the first organized national observances of Black history. It highlights the longstanding contributions of African Americans locally and nationally. It also recognizes Park Forest resident Sandi Lynn, a 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for community service and the founder of the G.R.O.W. Power mentoring program for girls.

Black History Month Proclamation 2026

The meeting will include reports from Village officers, commission liaisons, and committee chairpersons, followed by a public comment period.

Copies of the agenda are available in the Village Hall lobby. The full agenda packet is posted on the Village website. Residents needing reasonable accommodations to participate in the meeting are asked to contact the Village Manager’s Office at least 48 hours in advance.

This is news from the Village of Park Forest.

Related:

• Presidential Proclamation — National Cancer Control Month, 2012
• Mayors Declare September ‘Latino Voter Registration Month’
• Presidential Proclamation — Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2012
• Presidential Proclamation — American Heart Month, 2012
• A Thanksgiving Proclamation from Mayor John A. Ostenburg

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Police charged a University Park man with leaving the scene of an accident after he allegedly sideswiped another vehicle on Western Avenue. According to the complainant and a witness, the man got out of his vehicle after the crash, spoke with the driver, got back in his car, and drove away. The witness did not see the crash but told police he saw the driver leave the scene.

This and other reports follow.

Park Forest Police Blotter Reports Beginning December 15, 2025

Domestic Battery

Police arrested Mariah M. Payton, 18, of the 300 block of Windsor St., Park Forest, on December 15 and charged her with domestic battery. Police responded to the 300 block of Windsor Street at 8:22 PM to investigate a domestic incident.

SouthCom Dispatch advised that two women were involved in a fight inside the home, with one possibly armed with a Taser. When police arrived, Ms. Payton met them outside. She alleged that another woman struck her with an open hand on the shoulder and tased her several times, according to police. Police observed a mark on Ms. Payton’s outer ear.

A witness alleged that Ms. Payton shoved another woman and struck her. This person alleged that the woman then went to retrieve a Taser and tased Ms. Payton twice. The woman provided police with a similar account, telling police that Ms. Payton punched her in the face with a closed fist.

Felony Aggravated DUI

Police arrested Deonnie B. Clark, 25, of the 200 block of Indiana St., Park Forest, on December 15 and charged her with driving under the influence of alcohol above .08, driving on a suspended license, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, improper overtaking and passing on the left, and felony aggravated DUI.

An officer patrolling at 9:42 PM responded to the 400 block of Illinois Street to investigate a motor vehicle accident. SouthCom Dispatch advised that a vehicle struck a tree and airbags deployed. When police arrived, they saw two vehicles facing westbound on Illinois Street with deployed airbags. One was a car that was in the front yard of a home in the 400 block of Illinois Street. The other car, a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, was in the front yard of a home across the street.

Police spoke with a man who alleged that he was trying to turn into his driveway when the black Chevrolet Equinox struck his vehicle. He said he was able to exit the vehicle without sustaining any injuries. Police cited him on a charge of operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

While on the scene, Deonnie B. Clark approached the officer and said that the Equinox was hers. The officer allegedly observed Ms. Clark stumble and sway while speaking with him, according to police. She also had a strong alcoholic-like odor emanating from her breath, police said. She was bleeding from the mouth.

Police notified the Park Forest Fire Department, and an ambulance responded.

Deonnie B. Clark (Booking Photo Courtesy PFPD)

Ms. Clark initially refused treatment. Later, however, Park Forest Paramedics took her to Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields after she complained of a headache and said she wanted another medical evaluation.

The officer who was first on the scene of the accident arrived at Franciscan Health at 10:39 PM and met with Ms. Clark. He asked her what happened and inquired as to whether she had any alcohol. Ms. Clark allegedly stated that she had no alcohol but advised that she was smoking weed on the ride home, according to police. She consented and signed a waiver for a blood and urine analysis, according to police.

The officer administered the Standardized Field Sobriety Test at the hospital. He spoke with Ms. Clark but found her statements incoherent and slurred, according to police. Furthermore, she kept falling asleep, police said.

The hospital discharged her at 11:53 PM when the officer escorted her to his squad vehicle and told her he was arresting her on suspicion of DUI. Later, at the station, Ms. Clark voluntarily submitted to a breathalyzer test, which showed a BrAC of 0.164, according to police. Cook County Felony Review approved one felony charge of aggravated DUI.

Fleeing and Attempting to Elude

Police arrested Gabriel D. Misters, 23, of the 600 block of Sandra Dr., University Park, on December 18 and charged him with two counts of fleeing and attempting to elude a peace officer, December 14, 2025, and December 18, 2025. Police also issued him a local ordinance citation charging violating park rules on each of those dates. Police arrested Mr. Misters after an officer checked the Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Rd., at 3:56 AM, looking for any suspicious vehicles or subjects still at the park after hours.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Police arrested Courtney R. Felder, 41, of the 900 block of Union Dr., University Park, on December 18, and issued her citations charging improper lane usage, uninsured motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and a driver failing to give information after a crash.

An officer responded to the area of Western Ave. near Sauk Trail at 3:09 PM regarding an accident that included property damage. Police later reclassified this incident as a hit-and-run accident. The complainant said he was traveling northbound on Western Ave., near Sauk Trail, in the left lane. While driving, a gray vehicle that had initially been in the right or outside lane allegedly swerved left into his lane, according to police. That vehicle allegedly struck the passenger side of his car, police said.

The complainant stated that he pulled his vehicle to the right side of the roadway. The gray vehicle, later identified as a Maserati, briefly pulled over near him. The driver of the Maserati exited his vehicle and briefly spoke with the complainant. An off-duty fireman then arrived on the scene and attempted to speak with and check on both drivers.

Driver of Maserati Allegedly Flees the Scene

The complainant alleged that the driver of the Maserati then reentered his vehicle and fled the scene, heading southbound on Western Avenue.

Police observed moderate damage to the passenger side of the complainant’s Hyundai, including multiple dents and scratches. The right front wheel and tire had disabling damage, according to police.

The officer spoke with the off-duty firefighter from Steger Estates. The man said that he did not observe the crash but offered to assist both drivers. He alleged that the driver of the Maserati got out of his vehicle and appeared to be intoxicated, according to police. The firefighter further alleged that the driver of the Maserati then got back into his vehicle and fled southbound on Western Avenue.

The officer conducted a search of Flock cameras in the area, which showed the Maserati traveling southbound on Western Avenue near the intersection with Exchange Street/University Parkway in University Park. He then conducted a search of that area and immediately found the Maserati parked in the parking lot of PK’s Pantry at the northwest corner of the intersection. The vehicle was unoccupied.

The officer observed moderate damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle, including dents and scratches, as well as white paint transfer along the driver’s side door, according to police. The front axle of that car appeared moderately damaged, police said, with both front wheels facing in opposite directions.

An employee at the business said the subject arrived in the car and bought several items. He alleged that the subject spoke with someone on his phone’s speakerphone and advised them that someone “tried to kill” him, according to police. The employee stated that the man then left the store on foot.

Driver of Other Vehicle Returns to His Car in U.P.

While waiting for a tow truck, Park Forest officers saw a man walking across University Parkway. He told police he was returning to his vehicle to have it towed because it had been involved in a crash earlier. Police arrested him on suspicion of a hit-and-run crash.

The man, later identified as Courtney Felder, allegedly made spontaneous statements regarding the accident at Western Ave. near Sauk Trail, according to police. He alleged that the Hyundai struck his Maserati while he was waiting at the red traffic signal, according to police. He allegedly stated that he stopped and spoke with the driver of the Hyundai for approximately 15 minutes before a fireman arrived, police said. Upon learning that the driver of the Maserati did not have valid insurance, he said he decided to leave as he had to pick up his child from a bus stop in University Park, according to police.

Police detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath, according to the report. He also allegedly exhibited slurred speech and red, glassy eyes, according to police. The arresting officer conducted alphabet and counting tests with Mr. Felder, the report said. He was unable to complete them as requested, according to police.

About Police Reports

Please note that we repeatedly say “according to police” in these reports and often use “allegedly.” We are not asserting that the police officers arrested and charged committed any offenses. We report on the information contained in the reports that the police furnish to us. As those accused are innocent until proven guilty, the burden is on prosecutors and police to prove all alleged crimes.

eNews Park Forest has consistently published the names and addresses of those arrested and will continue to do so. 5 ILCS 140/2.15 states that the governmental body (for these reports, the Police Department) shall release information on those charged, including their name, age, and address. This information is necessary to ensure the proper identification of those arrested.

Presumption of Innocence

An arrest does not mean that a person is guilty. The law presumes that all those arrested by police are innocent until proven guilty. It is the policy of eNews Park Forest not to remove items from the public record from publication. Suppose you find your name in the police reports. Our policy is that we will only add information relevant to the final disposition of the case at hand, e.g., “Mr. Smith was subsequently acquitted,” “Mr. Smith entered a guilty plea,” or “All charges against Mr. Smith were subsequently dropped.” We will do so upon receiving and verifying proof of such disposition.

We do not strike, “unpublish,” or delete news.

According to police, officers captured all the incidents in this report on body-worn and dash-mounted cameras at the respective scenes. All Park Forest police officers wear body-worn cameras. Officials typically abbreviate these devices as BWC in the reports.

We encourage individuals wishing to leave anonymous information regarding any criminal matters, including narcotics or gang activity, to call the Park Forest Police Department’s Investigations Division at (708) 748-1309.