F O R E S T PA R K
ForestParkReview.com Vol. 109, No. 5
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REVIEW
Special section
BLACK HISTORY
From the West Side with Love Cover and spread photography by KENN COOK JR.
INSIDE
FEBRUARY 4, 2026
@ForestParkReview @FP_Review
Dylewski lavished with praise as she retires from Community Center
Building code updates pass after tense discussion
Recognized for 25 years of supporting families By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Updates were tabled in December, and in January there were concerns about removing sections on carbon dioxide alarms and sprinkler systems
After 25 years working for the Village of Forest Park, nearly two decades of those at the Howard Mohr Community Center, Karen Dylewski retired at the end of January from her role as the center’s director. At the Jan. 26 council meeting, Village Administrator Rachell Entler honored Dylewski by reading a proclamation. It thanked Dylewski for ensuring the community center is a welcoming, inclusive space that provides vital resources for residents of all ages. Under Dylewski’s leadership, the community center has provided services for seniors, hosted daily childcare programs with enrichment activities and homework help, and given food, clothing and other resource donations to local families. Dylewski also opened the center as a voting precinct and meeting place for area organizations. “Karen Dylewski is recognized for her lasting impact on the Village of Forest Park and for truly being the center of the community, leaving a legacy of service that will continue to benefit generations to come,” the proclamation said. Dylewski wasn’t present at the meeting but later told the Review that she’s looking forward to traveling and being a stay-at-home grandparent with her husband,
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
For the first time in 16 years, Forest Park has updated its building code to reflect the latest editions of international, national and state building codes, residential codes, fire codes and property maintenance codes. But the passage, ultimately unanimous, did not come without intense debate among commissioners, a criticism of Mayor Rory Hoskins’ leadership by a commissioner who then had
See DYLEWSKI on page 7
See BUILDING CODE on page 8
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Tom Holmes: Politics in religion or religion in politics?
Look back in time: Lunch special for $2.95!
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 THIS ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15