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ForestParkReview.com Vol. 109, No. 14
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REVIEW
spring 2026
Camp
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Enrichment
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Special section inside PAGE 10
APRIL 8, 2026
Lathrop residents want restrictions on short-term rentals
Smoke from massive fire at Maywood pallet factory visible in Forest Park A large and smoky fire erupted Saturday, April 4 at a pallet factory in Maywood. Fire departments from across the near west suburbs were on the scene fighting the blaze, said Nathaniel Booker, Maywood’s mayor, on social media. There were no immediate reports of injuries or the cause of the fire. Smoke was visible in all directions in Forest Park, River Forest and Oak Park, where social media was following the news. The smoke was also visible to those driving on nearby I-290. Residents in western parts of Forest Park reported smoke infiltrating their homes despite closed windows. F&L Pallets, 1301 1st Ave., has been in business for 15 years according to its website. It produces and recycles wooden pallets. The mayor also said there are rubber products on the site. The fire was near the Maybrook county courthouse and just west of Concordia Cemetery and Jewish Waldheim Cemetery in neighboring Forest Park.
Noise and loitering complaints lead to requests to limit lengths of stay By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporters
Residents on the 900 block of Lathrop Avenue are asking the village council to create regulations for short-term rental properties in Forest Park, restrictions not mentioned in the village code. At the March 23 council meeting, Samantha Treadman Blaga said that, since last year, a rental property at 905 Lathrop Ave. is a revolving door for large groups of guests, who often bring excessive noise, loitering and cars parked overnight on the street. According to village ordinance, there are noise restrictions between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., and
Dan Haley
Photos by TODD BANNOR
See RENTALS on page 8
See FIRE on page 6 for more photos
IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 THIS ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Alan Brouilette:
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
A look back in time: New fire chief and middle school
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
PAGE 15
PAGE 14
A trip to Belize