Six more Oak Park residents test positive for COVID-19
March 31, 2020 - Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today that six more Village residents had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Oak Park now has 36 confirmed cases, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The new cases reported today are individuals who range in ages from their 30s to their 70s. A second Oak Park Police officer has tested positive as well, according to Charley, who said the officer chose to self-quarantine immediately upon exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and has remained out of the workplace since mid-March. Pursuant to Village personnel policies, employees who have had direct contact with the officer have been notified, but because the contact was greater than 14 days ago, they are not subject to quarantine. Under current state public health protocols, anyone who has had close direct contact with any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 is notified through the appropriate public health authority. Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be released about individuals who have tested positive. The Illinois Department of Public Health is tracking statewide positive results online - click here to view.
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30 residents have now tested positive for COVID-19
March 30, 2020 - Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today that four more Village residents have tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Oak Park now has 30 confirmed cases, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, but Charley said the number could change as patient tracking and case follow-ups confirm residency of these latest cases. The new cases reported today include individuals who range in ages from their 30s to their 70s. Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be released about these cases. The Village also is aware that an Oak Park Police officer has tested positive, according to Charley. Pursuant to Village personnel policies, employees who have had direct contact with the individual have been placed in quarantine status as a precaution. Pursuant to current IDPH protocols, any other individuals who had close direct contact with the Village employee would be notified through the applicable public health authority. The Illinois Department of Public Health is tracking statewide positive results online - click here to view.
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Single-use, retail bag fee suspended
March 30, 2020 - Oak Park’s single-use retail bag fee will be suspended effective March 31. The suspension is consistent with the Illinois Department of Public Health’s guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in grocery stores. As a result, the Village’s bag fee of 10 cents is suspended for as long as the state's stay-at-home order is in effect, per an order issued today by Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley. If a customer wishes to use a reusable bag, only the customer should handle the reusable bag within that business, including for the loading of purchased goods into the reusable bag.
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Five more Oak Park residents test positive for COVID-19
March 29, 2020 - Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today that five more Village residents had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Oak Park now has 26 confirmed cases, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, but Charley said the number could change as patient tracking and case follow-ups confirm residency of these latest cases. The new cases reported today include individuals who range in ages from their 30s to their 70s. Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be released about the individuals. The Illinois Department of Public Health is tracking statewide positive results online - click here to view.
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Four more Oak Park residents test positive for COVID-19
March 28, 2020 - Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today that four more Village residents had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Oak Park now has 21 confirmed cases, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, but Charley said the number could change as patient tracking and case follow-ups confirm residency of these latest cases. The new cases reported today include individuals who range in ages from their 30s to their 60s. Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be released about the individuals. The Illinois Department of Public Health is tracking statewide positive results online - click here to view.
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Number of Oak Park residents testing positive for COVID-19 continues to rise
March 27, 2020 - Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today that eight additional Village residents had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Oak Park now has 17 confirmed cases, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, but Charley said the number of cases could change as patient tracking and case follow-up confirms residency of these latest cases. The new cases reported today include individuals who range in ages from their 20s to their 70s. Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be released about the individuals. The Illinois Department of Public Health is tracking statewide positive results online - click here to view.
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Village Board to test remote meeting capabilities
March 27, 2020 – The Village Board has scheduled a meeting for 6 p.m., Mon., March 30, to test remote participation as allowed under an executive order issued by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. No official action will be taken. The meeting is intended test the Village's ability to continue using the existing live streaming, online archiving and cablecasting capabilities relied on for in-person meetings at Village Hall. Meetings of the Village Board typically are streamed live online and archived for on-demand viewing and cablecast on VOPTV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT Uverse subscribers on channel 99. A new process for public comments also will be implemented. Individuals may email statements to publiccomment@oak-park.us no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of a meeting. Written comments also may be submitted via the payment drop box across from the south entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, no later than 5 p.m. the day of a meeting.
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Village Hall to remain closed through April 7
March 27, 2020 – Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St., will remain closed to the public through April 7 pursuant to the state stay-at-home order. The Police lobby in the lower level of Village Hall will be open and police officers and firefighter/paramedics will remain on duty. Key Public Works Department workers who provide essential services to the community also will work as will certain administrative services staff deemed essential for maintaining support of operational infrastructure. Other employees whose functions promote public safety and protect property also may continue to work on a case-by-case basis. Many employees will continue to work remotely. Residents are reminded that a range of routine municipal services that do not require a visit to Village Hall are available via links at www.oak-park.us/onlineservices.
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Officials step up efforts to convince residents to stay home
March 27, 2020 – With the number of residents testing positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus increasing, the Village has stepped up efforts to convince Oak Parkers to stay at home. Patrol officers are on the streets, speaking with business operators and groups that may be in violation of the state order prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people. Anyone concerned about a violation of the state's stay-at-home order may call the Oak Park Police non-emergency number 708.386.3800. Residents should significantly restrict outings, public health officials say, and only interact with family members or friends outside one's household to provide essential assistance. A list of answers to frequently asked questions about the state stay-at-home order are posted online - just click here.
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Five new COVID-19 coronavirus test results confirmed in Oak Park
March 26, 2020 - Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today he had received notification that five additional Village residents had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Oak Park now has nine confirmed cases. The new cases reported today include residents who range in ages from their 20s to their 60s and a child younger than one year old. Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be released about the individuals.
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Fourth positive COVID-19 coronavirus test result confirmed in Oak Park
March 25, 2020 - Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today that a fourth Village resident had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. The individual is an adult female in her 20s. Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be released about the individual.
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Playgrounds, fields and courts ordered closed
March 25, 2020 - Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley has ordered all Park District of Oak Park playgrounds, fields and courts be closed to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. These include all basketball, tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts. All organized sports games and competitions also are prohibited. Dog parks may remain open as long as owners comply with the established social distancing requirements.
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Guidelines issued for stores that sell groceries and medicine
March 25, 2020 – Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley today issued guidelines for stores that sell groceries and medicine to help ensure customers and employees are protected from the COVID-19 coronavirus. The guidelines are based on the state stay-at-home order and include steps to ensure six-foot spacing in lines, having hand sanitizer and sanitizing products readily available for on-site use, having separate hours for elderly and vulnerable customers, and posting information online, including hours, special services and contact information.
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Pet license renewals postponed
March 25, 2020 - The May 1 deadline to renew pet licenses has been pushed back in response to the impact the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has had on so many routine tasks of daily life. Owners whose pets were already licensed and who had emails on file with the Village will be notified when a new deadline is set. The new deadline also will be promoted via enews and the Village Facebook page and Twitter feed. Pet owners will be urged to use the online option at www.oak-park.us/petlicenserenewal, rather than the U.S. Mail or trekking to Village Hall. First-time pet owners will be able to register pets online as well. More information about owning a pets in Oak Park is posted on this website.
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Third positive COVID-19 coronavirus test result confirmed in Oak Park
March 24, 2020 - Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today that a third Village resident had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. The individual is an adult female in her 30s. Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be released about the individual.
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Second positive COVID-19 coronavirus test result confirmed in Oak Park
March 21, 2020 – Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today that a second Village resident had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus as of 3 p.m. today. The individual, an adult female in her 40s, was tested on Wed., March 18 and the test was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on Fri., March 20. She currently is recovering at home and is in isolation. Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be released about the individual. Click here to view testing status statistics compiled by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
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Village to defer to state; will rescind local shelter-in-place order
March 20, 2020 – The Village of Oak Park will defer to the state now that the Governor has issued a stay-at-home order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. As the state order goes into effect at 5 p.m. tomorrow, the local shelter-in-place order will be rescinded in support of uniform criteria and enforcement across Illinois. The state order is very similar to the local order issued on March 18 by the Oak Park Health Department. People will not be prohibited from completing essential tasks, like grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions or visiting a medical care provider. Essential businesses will be allowed to remain open, including auto repair businesses, banks, grocery stores and restaurants that are providing food for delivery or carry out. When the state order goes into effect, Oak Park will exclusively follow state guidelines for enforcement.
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Shelter-in-place order in effect through April 3
Friday, March 20, 2020 - Oak Park’s shelter-in-place order is in effect through Fri., April 3 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The order does not mean residents should lock themselves indoors, public health officials say, but everyone is required to practice social distancing and avoid as much person-to-person contact as possible. Click here to read more...
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Residents ordered to shelter in place; Mayor urges residents to comply
March 18, 2020 – Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb has declared a local state of emergency under the Illinois Municipal Code due to the spread of COVID-19 virus and is urging residents to stay home to protect the public health. Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley also issued a public order that requires residents to shelter in place effective Fri., March 20 through Fri., April 3. Exceptions are detailed in the order posted below. These include businesses that provide essential services, including grocery stores, banks, convenience stores, pharmacies, restaurants for delivery and pick up only, laundromats, skilled trades essential to maintaining the safety and sanitation of residences, hardware stores, medical service providers, first responders, transportation providers, government activities and essential social service providers and shelters. The action of the Mayor is in place until the next meeting of the Village Board of Trustees. Click on the links below to read the documents issued today:
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Village Hall to remain closed until April 2
March, 18, 2020 – Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St. will remain closed to the public through April 2. The Police lobby in the lower level of Village Hall will be open and police officers and firefighter/paramedics will remain on duty. Key Public Works Department workers who provide essential services to the community also will be on duty as will certain administrative services staff deemed essential for maintaining support of operational infrastructure. Other employees whose functions promote public safety and protect property also may continue to work on a case-by-case basis. Many employees will be working remotely. Residents are reminded that a range of routine municipal services that do not require a visit to Village Hall are available via links at www.oak-park.us/onlineservices.
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First positive COVID-19 coronavirus test result confirmed in Oak Park
March 18, 2020 – Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today that a Village resident has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, the first positive case in the community. The individual was screened and tested Monday at Rush Oak Park Hospital, and the positive result confirmed today. The individual, an adult male in his 30s, currently is recovering at home and is in isolation. He is not affiliated with the local school system. Click here to read more...
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Public Health Department issues updated social distancing guidelines
March 16, 2020 - A bulletin on the status of testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus in our community and updated guidelines for social distancing have been issued by the Oak Park Department of Public Health. The department has authorized six COVID-19 test for Oak Park residents. Results have been negative for four tests, and results from two tests are still pending. Click on the links below to view the documents:
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Village Hall to close to public through Wednesday
March, 16, 2020 – Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St. will be closed to the public Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17 and 18. The time will be used to clean and sanitize commonly touched surfaces and high traffic areas following early voting, which brought an estimated 2,500 people to Village Hall in the last 72 hours. Police and firefighters will be responding to 911 emergency calls and the majority of Village employees will be working either at other Village facilities or remotely. A range of routine municipal services do not require a visit to Village Hall - visit www.oak-park.us/onlineservices for links.
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Local restaurants, liquor establishments ordered to cease on-site consumption services
March 16, 2020 – Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley today ordered all local restaurants, grocery stores and licensed liquor establishments to suspend service for on-premises consumption through March. Oak Park businesses may continue and are encouraged to offer pickup and delivery services. Click here to read the official order.
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Village Hall not a polling place on Election Day
March 16, 2020 - Village Hall, 123 Madison St., is not a polling place for the Tues., March 17 Primary Election. Village Hall will be closed to the public on election day. Voters who did not cast an early ballot should visit the website of the Cook County Clerk to find their designated polling site. Click here to search for your site by address. The Illinois Department of Public Health has released guidance on voting and polling place safety - click here to view.
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Village Hall open Monday only for early voting
March 15, 2020 - Village Hall will be closed Mon., March 16 except for early voting. The step reflects the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations on reducing gatherings and practicing social distancing. Residents may find solutions to many day-to-day business needs at www.oak-park.us/onlineservices, where a range of services can be accessed without a visit to Village Hall, 123 Madison St. A majority of Village employees will be working Monday, either at other Village facilities or remotely.
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Public Health Department issues testing status bulletin, early voting guidelines
March 15, 2020 - A bulletin on the status of testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus in our community and guidelines for early voting at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. have been issued by the Oak Park Department of Public Health. The department has authorized six tests for Oak Park residents - three were negative and results from three are pending. The voting guidelines stress the importance of social distancing. Click on the links below to view the documents:
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Village Board meeting canceled; other meetings suspended
March 15, 2020 - The meeting of the Village Board scheduled for Mon., March 16, has been canceled in accordance with the Centers for Distrol and Prevention's recommendation to avoid gatherings to help slow the progress of the COVID-19 coronavirus. All scheduled meetings of the Village Board's volunteer citizen advisory boards, commissions and committees also have been suspended until further notice. Times, dates and locations of future meetings of the Village Board and its advisory groups will be posted on this website at www.oak-park.us/calendar.
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Parking restrictions eased temporarily
March 13, 2020 - On-street, overnight and daytime parking restrictions except for weekly street cleaning will not be enforced on most Oak Park residential streets starting tonight through Tue., March 31 to accommodate the changing of residents' regular routines as a result of the COVID-19 emergency. Restrictions currently are scheduled to resume at 2:30 a.m., Wed., April 1. Any extension will be posted here. Please keep in mind restrictions are not lifted in metered or pay station spaces, or paid overnight permit areas, including posted on-street zones and lots. All other parking regulations related to traffic and public safety such as no parking here to corner or between signs remain in effect. For more information on parking in Oak Park, visit www.oak-park.us/parking.
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Village Board declares local emergency
March 13, 2020 - The Village Board today adopted a resolution declaring a local public health emergency, a procedural step under state law that gives municipal administrators the authority to respond more quickly to the rapidly changing challenges of the novel coronavirus illness, COVID-19. Read more...
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Village Board to consider emergency authority
March 11, 2019 - The Village Board has scheduled an emergency meeting to consider a procedural step under state law that would empower municipal administrators to respond more quickly to the rapidly changing challenges of the novel coronavirus illness, COVID-19. Read more...
