Public Works News

Call 358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us

Yardwaste Pick Up
Collection of bundled brush and yardwaste will begin the week of April 7. Bundled brush no larger than two feet in diameter and four feet in length and yardwaste such as grass clippings, leaves, shrubs and vines will be picked up on regular collection days. A green sticker must be attached to each brush bundle, 32-gallon paper bag and rigid container filled with yardwaste. Stickers are available for $1.80 each from Oak Park grocery and hardware stores and the Cashier's Office at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Any yardwaste mixed with trash will not be collected. Residents are urged to look for alternatives to bagging yardwaste such as mulching mowers, leaf shredders or backyard compost piles.

Tree Planting
Each spring the Forestry Division works to reforest Village parkways where damaged and diseased trees have been removed. In order to diversify the tree population a wide variety of species are planted, including Autumn Blaze Maple, Catalpa, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Ivory Silk Lilac, Hackberry, Bur Oak, Swamp White Oak, Sugar Maple, White Ash and two DED-resistant Elms, Homestead and Frontier. While every effort is made to replace all trees removed, it is not always possible. Full size shade trees require a minimum of 35 feet between trees. Factors such as underground utilities, parkway widths and shade tolerance also determine planting sites. Residents wishing to have a tree larger than the standard 2.5-inch diameter tree can pay the difference between the standard and upgrade costs.

Alley Clean-Up Program
Organize your neighbors and participate in the Alley Clean-Up Program developed by the Keep Oak Park Beautiful Committee. The program provides supply kits containing plastic trash bags, pink refuse stickers and rubber gloves, as well as information on organizing a successful and safe event.

Leaf Blower Ban
Gasoline-powered leaf blowers are prohibited in Oak Park from June 1 - Oct. 15.

Ike Update

Call 358.5770 or email village@oak-park.us

RTA Approves Oak Park Transit Alternatives Initiative
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has approved a study recommended by Oak Park as part of the Village's call to examine alternatives to expanding the Eisenhower Expressway. RTA officials are preparing a draft project management plan for the two-and-a-half year study, which is expected to begin in May. Main elements of the plan will include a market analysis, public involvement, alternatives and local land use policies to guide any major new transit service in the corridor. The study of Ike alternatives sought by the Village is intended by the RTA to meet the analysis required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for a Major Investment Study, which the Village believes is required by federal law before any significant transportation project is undertaken. Among the transportation alternatives recommended by the Village are extending the CTA's Blue Line further west and expanding capacity of Metra's Union Pacific West Line. For more information on the Village's position on the Eisenhower Expressway, call 358.5770 or visit www.oak-park.us -- click on news, then the I-290 icon along the right side of the page.

Public input sought on regional transportation plan
The Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) is expected to release the first draft of its triennial update to the long-range regional transportation plan (RTP) for the Chicago area on April 7. The yearlong process to update the RTP, known as Shared Path 2030, will conclude in October. The RTP recommendations are expected to include Village-supported proposals to extend the CTA Blue Line from Forest Park to Lisle, double the commuter train capacity on the Metra Union Pacific West line and add a rapid transit bus line on Cermak Road from Cicero to Lombard. The draft plan also is expected to retain the Illinois Department of Transportation's proposed high-occupancy vehicle lanes on I-290. Residents are urged to participate in the public comment mechanisms to influence the development of the strategies and projects contained in the final plan. A 30-minute video describing the draft recommended RTP will air on WJYS (broadcast channel 62 and cable channel 17) at 6:30 p.m., April 10; 4 p.m., April 11 and 13; 8:30 p.m., April 14; 10:30 p.m., April 15; and 6:30 p.m., April 16. A Shared Path 2030 Hotline will then be open to take recorded comments at 312.793.3466. The video also will air through April on VOP-TV6, Oak Park government access cable channel six, at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., Sundays and Fridays; and 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. In addition, CATS will hold an open house in each of the six counties of the region to obtain public input. Meeting sites closest to Oak Park include 4 - 8 p.m., Thurs., April 24 at the Wheaton Park District Community Center Memorial Room, 1777 S. Blanchard St., and 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Sat., April 26, DePaul University Cortelyou Commons, 2324 N. Fremont St., Chicago. Comments can also be emailed to CATS at SP2030@catsmpo.com, faxed at 312.793.3481 or mailed to Shared Path 2030 Comments, Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS), 300 W. Adams St., 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606. For more information about the draft plan and Shared Path 2030 process visit www.catsmpo.com. For more information on the Village's position on the Eisenhower Expressway, visit www.oak-park.us -- click on news, then the I-290 icon along the right side of the page.