Public Works News

Call 358.5700 or email publicworks@vil.oak-park.il.us

Open House and Fun Fair
The annual Open House and Fun Fair is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sat., May 18 at the Public Works Center, 131 South Blvd. Residents are invited to tour the Public Works facility, see equipment and vehicle displays, and meet staff members. Free hot dogs and popcorn will be served and items provided by local business sponsors will be given away throughout the day. A special guest appearance by "PW Paws" is planned.

Diseased Elm Removal
For the second consecutive year the Village will have diseased elms removed from private property at no cost to the homeowner. If a tree on your property is diagnosed with Dutch Elm Disease (DED), Village ordinance requires that it be removed within 30 days. Call the Village for an inspection. If infected, the tree will be tagged and a DED Alert door hanger placed on your front door prior to removal. The Village bids removals with qualified contractors who are paid directly by the Village. Stump removal is not required or included in the removal price.

Parkway Elm Injection
Dutch Elm Disease prevention injections will be available to residents who wish to purchase the service for parkway trees. Injections are a preventive measure that guard only against the spread of DED by insects, not root graft. Injections will not help a tree once it is infected. A village-approved contractor must perform all parkway tree injections, and homeowners are responsible for paying the contractor directly. No tree already infected with DED will be treated. Last year the cost of the treatment was $14 per diameter inch.

Sewer line problems
Routine sewer line maintenance such as rodding is the responsibility of the property owner from the building drain to the connection at the main sewer line, which typically is in the center of the street. However, the Village may be responsible for major repairs that require excavation in the street. If you have a sewer problem, the first step is to contact a licensed plumber to determine what maintenance or repairs may be needed. If a plumber reports a problem that requires more than maintenance such as a collapsed line, and says it is beyond the curb, notify the Village immediately while the plumber is still on site. Public Works personnel must work concurrently with a plumber to assess the situation. The majority of sewer problems are tree roots and collapsed pipe on private property.

Bulk Items
One bulk item per week can be placed with regular trash for collection by Village refuse haulers. The item must have two pink refuse stickers attached. Bulk items include furniture, household appliances and other trash items that do not exceed 90 pounds. Bulk items will be collected on the same day as your trash. Stickers cost $1.60 and are available at Village Hall, 123 Madison St., and at various merchants.

Yardwaste Collections
Appropriately packaged or bundled yardwaste is collected on the regular collection schedule through December 1. Yardwaste must be contained in paper bags or rigid containers up to 32 gallons each or 50 pounds. Brush must be in bundles no larger than two feet in diameter and four feet long, weighing no more than 50 pounds. Each container or bundle must have a green yardwaste sticker affixed. Stickers are $1.80 and are available at Village Hall, 123 Madison St., and at various merchants. Unbundled brush can be collected by appointment year round for a fee by calling 888.656.5350.

May VOP-TV6 Programming Highlights

Daily at 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., & 10 p.m.
2002 Construction Projects
Celebrating Fair Housing
Multi-Family Property Reinvestment Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station

Monday - Friday 4 - 6 p.m.
NASA Programming

Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Telecommunications Commission Meeting

Live at 7:30 p.m., Mondays, rebroadcast Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Regular Village Board Meetings & Study Sessions

Access Expo Set

The Oak Park Universal Access Commission will bring together area accessibility service organizations at an Access Expo, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Mon., May 20, at Mills Park Tower, 1025 Pleasant Place. On hand to explain their services will be representatives from the Great Lakes ADA & Accessible IT Center, Progress Center, Oak Park Township & Unified Services Providers, School District 97, Medicaid, Oak Park Family Services, Illinois Department of Human Services, Oak Park Department of Public Health, Oak Park Access Advisor and West Suburban Hospital. The event is free and all attendees will receive a copy of the Universal Access Commission's Accessibility Handbook. A lift-equipped mini-van will be available to provide transportation to and from the event. For more information or to reserve a ride, call the 848.8844.

Resident involvement urged

Oak Park officials will travel to Springfield and Washington, D.C., in early May to personally convey concerns about the proposed I-290 Eisenhower Expressway expansion. If you would like to support this effort, please contact your elected officials with your views on the project, and urge them to ensure that all transit alternatives be examined and a full Environmental Impact Statement be completed before any plans are finalized. For more information, visit www.vil.oak-park.il.us.

The Honorable Calvin Giles
Illinois House of Representatives
8th District
2090 M Stratton Bldg
Springfield, IL 62706

The Honorable Karen Yarborough
Illinois House of Representatives
7th District
2089-M Stratton Bldg
Springfield, IL 62706

The Honorable Angelo "Skip" Saviano
Illinois House of Representatives
77th District
2112-N Stratton Bldg
Springfield, IL 62706

The Honorable James B. Durkin
Illinois House of Representatives
44th District
2003-G Stratton Bldg
Springfield, IL 62706

The Honorable Kimberly A. Lightford
Illinois Senate
4th District
311 State Capitol
Springfield, IL 62706

The Honorable Dan Cronin
Illinois Senate
39th District
127 Capitol Bldg.
Springfield, IL 62706

The Honorable Thomas J. Walsh
Illinois Senate
22nd District
118 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

The Honorable Danny Davis
U.S. House of Representatives
7th District
1218 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Luis Gutierrez
U.S. House of Representatives
4th District
2438 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable William Lipinski
U.S. House of Representatives
3rd District
2470 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Peter Fitzgerald
U.S. Senate
555 Dirksen
Washington, D.C. 205210

The Honorable Richard Durbin
U.S. Senate
332 Dirksen
Washington, D.C. 20510

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Village of Oak Park

F.Y.I. for May 2002