University Park is a municipality located in both Will County and Cook County, Illinois in the United States. Situated to the south of Chicago, it is known as one of the few planned communities in the area. Originally known as Wood Hill and later Park Forest South, the village was established in the 1960s and eventually named University Park. As of the 2020 census, the population of the village was recorded at 7,145 residents.

In 1969, Governors State University welcomed its first students, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s history. Notably, the university’s location was chosen because of its proximity to the Illinois Central Railroad, which made it the ideal spot for the railroad’s first commuter extension in four decades. Today, the university remains the final stop on the Metra Electric District line, providing convenient access to the surrounding community.

Renowned television producer, screenwriter, and creator Shonda Rhimes, known for her work as the head writer and executive producer of several popular television series, including Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal, and How to Get Away With Murder, spent part of her childhood living in University Park, previously known as Park Forest South.

In University Park, the schools are part of the Crete-Monee Community Unit School District 201-U. The village is home to Coretta Scott King Magnet Elementary and Crete-Monee Middle School.

University Park is situated at the coordinates 41.439460, -87.697299, specifically at 41°26′22″N 87°41′50″W.

Based on the 2021 census gazetteer records, University Park covers an area of 10.73 square miles (27.79 km2), with nearly all of it being land (99.98%) and a small portion as water (0.02%). Situated on the Valparaiso Moraine, the village is positioned on the Eastern Continental Divide.

Public transportation options are available in University Park, including a Metra Electric District line station operated by Metra. The Metra Electric line terminates at this station, while Amtrak trains (City of New Orleans, Illini, and Saluki) pass through without stopping. Additionally, the station provides bus services, such as Pace route 367 and River Valley Metro’s University Park route.

Pace offers bus transportation along Route 367 that links University Park with Park Forest and additional locations.

Stuenkel Road links Interstate 57 with University Park, while Illinois Route 50 also passes through the area. Before and during the time when Park Forest South, now known as University Park, existed, U.S. Route 54 used to run through the region from 1942 to 1971.

Second Congressional District encompasses Government University Park.