Park Forest, IL (pop. 21,864) As a progressive and thoughtfully planned historic south suburban community, Park Forest has a reputation for well managed municipal services and a focus on supportive resident service.  Park Forest is a diverse, family-oriented home rule municipality located in both Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, approximately 30 miles south of Chicago.  Park Forest is a full-service municipality including public works, police, fire, community development, planning, economic development, finance, recreation and parks, health and a housing authority. It boasts a vibrant arts community as the home to the Nathan Manilow Theater at Freedom Hall, Studio 47, Fieldcrest School of the performing Arts, the Tall Grass Arts Association and the Illinois Philharmoni