village, Cook and Will counties, northeastern Illinois, U.S. It is a residential suburb of Chicago, lying about 30 miles (50 km) south of the city. Developed as a planned community after World War II, Park Forest attracted widespread interest because its planners assumed responsibility for all phases of community development. It was designed by Elbert Peets for American Community Builders, Inc., primarily for middle-income families, to include rental and privately owned dwellings as well as schools, churches, shopping centres, municipal services, and an industrial park. Much of the village is devoted to parks and open space. Park Forest is the home of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and the Illinois Theatre Center. Governors State University (1969) is in nearby University Park. Inc. 1949. Pop. (1990) 24,656; (2000) 23,462.