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

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January 2013

With an estimated 30,000 coyotes currently living in Illinois, like it or not, coyotes are a permanent fixture in Oak Park. Seeing a coyote does not necessarily mean a dangerous situation for humans or domestic animals. If approached by a coyote, do not run — make yourself appear larger by yelling...
Ask any Oak Parker what he or she thinks about parking, traffic, development or municipal services and you are sure to get an earful. It is one of the things that make Oak Park a special place. Opinions are shared, ideas discussed and actions taken. Envision Oak Park is your opportunity to...
Thirty-five projects that embraced and exemplified commitment to protecting and furthering Oak Park’s heritage and pride in the community were recognized by the Historic Preservation, Environment & Energy and Community Design commissions. Historic Preservation Awards were presented for six...
The Village has retained its high ranking from the Insurance Services Office, an independent organization that evaluates communities’ fire preparedness capabilities. After examining the Village’s Fire Department, alarm and dispatch facilities, and water supply, Oak Park earned a rating of 2 on the...
June may seem like a long way from January, but planning already is well underway for the 40th annual A Day in Our Village, Oak Park’s annual festival celebrating diversity and community involvement. This year’s event is scheduled for Sun., June 2. A variety of volunteers are needed to help promote...
 The Village has specific rules that govern parking when it snows — rules that are enforced seven days a week, including holidays. Residents are urged to monitor local forecasts and plan accordingly. When a snow emergency is declared by the Public Works Department, all parking is prohibited on the...
 Property owners who shovel their sidewalks are doing more than making it safer for pedestrians of all ages, they are complying with the law. Village ordinance requires snow and ice to be removed from the public sidewalk within 24 hours following any snow, sleet or freezing rain. Being a good...
Three new recycling programs are being considered for Oak Park residential customers. Here's an overview: Organics – The compostable food scrap pilot program tested in one collection route will be expanded Village wide in the spring. Sign-up will begin in February, with cart deliveries in March...
 Holiday trees will be picked up on regular trash and recycling collection days during the weeks of January 7 and 14. Please follow these guidelines: Place trees in the regular collection area next to the refuse cart — only residents with no alley should put trees at the curb. Remove all...
Beginning Jan. 1, the cost for a 96-gallon refuse cart is $21.38, up from $21.15, and the cost for a 64-gallon refuse cart is $18.10, up from $17.90. Refuse rates are charged on quarterly water bills. Green yard waste stickers are now $2.36, up from $2.35. Pink bulk-item refuse stickers remain $2....
For details on any of these programs, call 708.358.5410 or e-mail housing@oak-park.us. Down payment assistance…The West Cook County Housing Collaborative is making homeownership more affordable with $10,000 in down payment assistance for select updated and rehabbed homes. Financing and supply of...
Oak Parkers planning to vote in the April 9 Consolidated Municipal Election can register through Tues., March 12. Registration is offered from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon. – Fri. at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Voter registration also is offered from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon. – Fri. at Oak Park Township...
Oak Parkers who sign up for and link their utility bills to a free online energy-use tracking tool can help the Village earn up to $25,000 for community projects, as well as receive free energy assessments and rebates for efficiency improvements. The tracking tool — EnergyBUZZ — is part of the...
 Cable television is not the only way to watch VOP-TV, Oak Park’s official government television station. In addition to streaming live Village Board meetings at www.oak-park.us/boardtv, meetings are archived, allowing users to access past events by date, click on the agenda item and jump right to...
Warming centers are open from 5:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. at West Suburban Hospital, Erie Street at Austin Boulevard, and from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Rush Oak Park Hospital, 500 S. Maple Ave. Hours may be extended when weather conditions warrant. To find out if the warming center is open after hours, call...
 The Oak Park Fire Department offers a variety of life-saving classes including CPR and training in how to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED. Classes are held from 6 – 10 p.m. at the Department’s certified American Heart Association community training center in the main fire station,...
A system to communicate directly with residents when public safety issues arise is available to residents. A simple, two-step process is all it takes to register. Just go to www.oak-park.us/notifyme and complete a brief online form. The system allows residents to choose how they would like to be...
Representatives of non-profit and private sector organizations have joined Village government in a cooperative effort to reduce the debilitating health effects of obesity. Under the banner Wild About Wellness, the initiative is advocating a series of community-wide policy changes designed to...
Tree pruning is scheduled from early January to mid-March, weather permitting. The 2013 trim area is between Chicago Avenue and Division Street, from Austin Boulevard to East Avenue and North Boulevard to Chicago, from Austin to Harlem Avenue. Forestry Division employees will be pruning parkway...
**The Village no longer collects holiday lights for recycling. This archived newsletter article is from 2013.  Eligible residents can recycle holiday lights by scheduling a pickup through At Your Door Service. Visit www.oak-park.us/atyourdoor for more information on how to schedule a pickup. ...