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2011 Community Survey Background Nov. 11, 2011 – Some 1,200 Oak Park households were surveyed by mail in late August and early September to gauge their views on a range of community aspects and issues. More than 450 surveys were completed and returned. This 39 percent response rate provided a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent. With a confidence level of 95 percent, the survey provides an accurate, scientifically valid snapshot of the entire community. The 2011 survey report, presented to the Village Board last night, delves not only into questions about quality of life, sense of safety, municipal services and a range of other categories, but also into how respondents' views were related to their length of residency, income, age and gender. Results of the survey provide both short and long-term benefits to the community. Village officials and staff will use the information to help focus resources immediately on activities deemed most important to residents, as well as plan for the future. The survey was conducted by the National Research Center (NRC), a firm renowned for its comprehensive studies of citizen perceptions and views, known collectively as The National Citizen Survey. NRC previously conducted surveys for the Village in 2000, 2004 and 2008. NRC, through it collaboration with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), placed many of the Oak Park findings into a national context through comparisons to the findings of similar surveys in other communities across the country. Executive Summary Most residents experienced a good quality of life in the Village of Oak Park and believed the Village was a good place to live. The overall quality of life in the Village of Oak Park was rated as “excellent” or “good” by 90% of respondents. About four out of five respondents reported they plan on staying in the Village of Oak Park for the next five years. A variety of characteristics of the community was evaluated by those participating in the study. Among the characteristics receiving the most favorable ratings were the overall appearance of Oak Park, ease of rail or subway travel in Oak Park, and the overall image or reputation of Oak Park. Among the characteristics receiving the least positive ratings were employment opportunities, the availability of affordable quality housing, and the amount of public parking. Ratings of community characteristics were compared to the benchmark database. Of the 25 characteristics for which comparisons were available, 19 were above the national benchmark comparison, five were similar to the national benchmark comparison and one was below. Residents in the Village of Oak Park were somewhat civically engaged. While only 28% had attended a meeting of local elected public officials or other local public meeting in the previous 12 months, 92% had provided help to a friend or neighbor. Close to half had volunteered their time to some group or activity in the Village of Oak Park, which was similar to the benchmark. In general, survey respondents demonstrated trust in local government. A majority rated the overall direction being taken by the Village of Oak Park as “good” or “excellent.” This was higher than the benchmark. Those residents who had interacted with an employee of the Village of Oak Park in the previous 12 months gave high marks to those employees. Most rated their overall impression of employees as “excellent” or “good.” On average, residents gave generally favorable ratings to most local government services. Village services rated were able to be compared to the benchmark database. Of the 30 services for which comparisons were available, 20 were above the benchmark comparison, five were similar to the benchmark comparison and five were below. A Key Driver Analysis was conducted for the Village of Oak Park which examined the relationships between ratings of each service and ratings of the Village of Oak Park’s services overall. Those key driver services that correlated most strongly with residents’ perceptions about overall Village service quality have been identified. By targeting improvements in key services, the Village of Oak Park can focus on the services that have the greatest likelihood of influencing residents’ opinions about overall service quality. Services found to be influential in ratings of overall service quality from the Key Driver Analysis were:
Of these services, those deserving the most attention may be that which was similar to the benchmark comparisons: land use, planning and zoning. For police services and public schools, the Village of Oak Park was above the benchmark and should continue to ensure high quality performance. Click here to read the full survey report Click here to view the survey presentation to the Village Board
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Survey Results |
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