The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Residents give Village high marks

pie charts depicting quality of life and Village services ratings

Feb. 8, 2016 - Results of the most recent community survey continued to demonstrate residents’ satisfaction with life in Oak Park, albeit with a little room for improvement in certain aspects of municipal service delivery.

The survey, which polled a statistically valid random sample of residents by mail in the fall, reported that Oak Parkers continue to enjoy a high quality of life and view the local economy and safety as their top priorities.

This latest survey found that four in five residents rated quality of life in Oak Park and the community as a place to live as excellent or good, and said they would recommend Oak Park to others. Almost all residents gave excellent or good ratings to Oak Park as a place to raise children and to the community’s overall appearance.

Trends noted from previous community surveys included improved ratings for shopping and employment opportunities, and a rising favorability for land use, planning and zoning, and economic development services. The survey noted key opportunities for improvement as well, including street repair, street cleaning, snow removal and overall customer service at Village Hall.

The National Research Center, Inc. (NRC), a social science research firm, conducted this latest survey. NRC also conducted surveys here in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2011 and 2013.

Through its collaboration with the International City Managers Association, NRC has developed a national database of community surveys and survey questions, which allow the Village to compare many of the results with those from similar communities in Illinois and across the country.

Officials say the purpose of the surveys is to help policy makers better understand priorities for government action and citizen opinions on quality of life and public services.

Complete results of the current and past surveys are posted at www.oak-park.us/communitysurveys.