Economic Vitality
The Village of Oak Park’s Office of Economic Vitality exists to assist your business and help guide you from concept to opening, and to help existing companies grow and enhance their operation. Whatever your goals, Oak Park offers a variety of options to meet your business needs. Please contact the Office of Economic Vitality at EconomicVitality@oak-park.us or at 708.358.5695 to further develop your vision today.
Open Your Business Here
Oak Park is one of the Chicagoland region’s most dynamic and opportunity-rich communities for business investment, entrepreneurship and long-term growth. It offers businesses of every kind — solo entrepreneurs, boutique retailers, professional firms and national brands — a rare combination of built-in advantages you won't find anywhere else in the area.
These advantages include:
Built-In Buying Power
Average household income of Oak Park’s 54,000+ residents is nearly $110,000 annually. The Village also has a highly-educated resident base, with 72% of Oak Park residents over the age of 25 having a bachelor’s, graduate or professional degree. And with incredible schools, parks, and libraries, it’s no wonder moveBuddha.com named Oak Park a Top-25 suburb, nationally, for relocations in 2025.
Perfectly Positioned
Oak Park offers immediate access to I-290 via Austin Boulevard and Harlem Avenue, connecting the community to and from the Chicago Loop in as little as 15 minutes. Oak Park can also be traversed via Lake Street, North Avenue (IL-64), Harlem Avenue (IL-43), and Roosevelt Road (IL-38).
A Market on the Rise
Business sales continue to elevate in Oak Park. From 2021 to 2025, sales at local businesses increased from $576 million to $829 million, an increase in annual sales of 44% in just four years. Recent corporate investment includes Holiday Inn and Barnes & Noble, in addition to over 1,500 independent businesses. And office vacancy is 44% lower in Oak Park than the rest of the Chicago market (Source: CoStar - 2026).
Exceptionally Well-Connected
The community is served by several public transportation options, including the Oak Park Metra Station which connects with Downtown Chicago in just 20 minutes. There are also seven CTA stations wholly or partially located within Oak Park, including four Green Line stops and three more along the Blue Line. The Village also is on the route of four CTA bus lines and eight Pace suburban bus lines.
A World-Class Destination
Hundreds of thousands of annual visitors are called to Oak Park. Both The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum draw a multitude of visitors from around the world who also patronize our shops and dine at our restaurants. Along with our 12 thriving business districts, Oak Park continues to be a major destination for families, foodies, bibliophiles and architecture connoisseurs alike.
Learn More about Economic Vitality Resources
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Real Estate
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Business Support
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Business Insights
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Talent & Workforce
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Development
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MWVBE Support
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Tools, Links & Local Support
Local Partner Agencies
The Village of Oak Park strives to keep its residents and business owners informed through channels such as social media and its website. Additionally, Village staff collaborates frequently with the various economic development partner agencies within the community that provide support services and promotional opportunities for local entrepreneurs. The following links offer opportunities to learn more about what’s new and developing in Oak Park, and to connect with organizations that can help your business grow and thrive.
Government Economic Development Agencies
Beyond the borders of Oak Park, government agencies at the county, state, and federal levels all offer economic development programs and business assistance opportunities to help companies of all sizes thrive. The following links will connect you to these partner agencies and the resources that they offer.
Meet the Team
From left to right: Economic Vitality Administrator Michael Mertes (seated), Economic Vitality Administrator Nicole Nodi, Assistant Village Manager of Economic Vitality John Melaniphy and Office Coordinator Cindy Hansen (seated).