The village of Forest Park wants to ensure that residents are not taken advantage of by scammers trying to make money during the COVID-19 crisis.

Chief of Police Tom Aftanas sent a memo to all residents on March 31, warning of potential scams and providing information on what to do if you think you've been a victim of a scammer.

As of April 2, 18 Forest Park residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to a Cook County Department of Public Health website, ccdphcd.shinyapps.io/covid19/. This number represents a rate of 127.06 cases per 100,000 or .13% of the population.

It's spring, which is normally the season for open houses and showings, for Realtors to drive clients around to look for a new home. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, the market – and the way agents are doing their jobs – has changed. The economy is in jeopardy with businesses closing and unemployment rising.

Despite village hall and the community center being closed to in-person access, Village Administrator Tim Gillian made it clear that the village will continue to offer assistance to seniors in Forest Park.