New members always needed
Citizen volunteers embody long history of
open government in Oak Park
When it comes to citizen involvement in the
process of making public policy, few communities can match the
number of opportunities offered by the Village of Oak Park
where volunteers on more than 25 separate boards and
commissions advise the Village Board on a wide range of
important issues.
The issues dealt with by these citizen
groups are many and varied. From proposals for new developments
to plans to better manage Oak Park's limited supply of
parking, the residents who participate on these bodies play key
roles in making sure policy enacted by the Village Board has
had thorough public review and is in the best interests of the
community as a whole.
As issues have grown more complex, the work
of these citizen groups has become more valuable to the elected
members of the Village Board. As part time lawmakers, the
Village president and trustees rely on the boards and
commissions to do much of the in-depth investigative work that
a single board could never have the time or expertise to
complete.
In the area of economic development, for
example, the Plan Commission typically reviews proposals from
developers in an open forum designed to allow for maximum input
by residents who have an interest in, or will be the most
affected by, any new structure. Long established to provide the
primary forum for public discussion on proposed major
development projects, the Plan Commission's charge is to
ensure that developers have prepared specific, detailed plans
that preserve and enhance the character of the neighborhood and
the community, and to encourage citizen input and participation
throughout the review and approval process.
Other boards and commissions operate in a
similar fashion. They conduct in-depth studies, evaluate
research and hold meetings that create the public record for
citizen sentiments on possible future actions by the Village
Board. The boards and commissions then make recommendations to
the Village Board whose members have the statutory
responsibility to take any appropriate actions that may be
needed or required.
When vacancies occur on these advisory
bodies, the Citizen Involvement Commission interviews those
Villagers who have volunteered to serve. The commission then
makes recommendations to the Village president, who makes the
formal appointments with the consent of the Board of Trustees.
For more information on volunteering to
serve on one of the commissions or boards call 358.5670 or
email clerk@oak-park.us. To review a complete list of the advisory
bodies, visit www.oak-park.us.
Members of the Citizens Involvement
Commission discuss applicants for the Village's more than
25 volunteer boards and commissions.
Residents who toss less and recycle more
will qualify for a reduced refuse hauling fee. Be sure to check
out the insert in this issue for more details on the new
pay-for-use refuse program. To participate in the program, call
358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us. If you use email,
be sure to include all of the information requested on the
enclosed form.