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

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September/October 2022

Oak Park may be only 4.5 square miles, but local leaders recognize that the actions and choices made by individual citizens and communities can help lay the groundwork for large-scale change. This summer the Village Board adopted Climate Ready Oak Park, a comprehensive and long-range plan developed...
The Climate Ready Oak Park plan includes the following goals: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations and community activities by 60 percent by 2030, relative to 2019 emissions levels, and to net zero by 2050. Establish 30 percent of municipal and community land as green...
The Village offers a food scrap composting collection program for residential households of up to five units. Participants receive a gray 96-gallon cart for weekly collection of organics, a three-gallon food scrap kitchen pail and a sample of compostable bags for food scraps. Both yard waste and...
Investing in electric vehicle transportation and infrastructure is a key strategy to reducing emissions and supporting a clean future in Oak Park. Officials say more than a quarter of Oak Park’s greenhouse gas emissions are due to conventional cars and trucks, making gas-powered vehicles the...
Oak Park residents can have a portion of the electricity generated at a solar farm credited to their monthly ComEd bill by participating in the community solar program. Community solar is ideal for households and businesses that can’t install solar panels because their roofs can’t handle the...
Oak Parkers are invited to safely dispose of sensitive documents at a free paper shredding event scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon, Sat., Sept. 24 at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. Each household is limited to two bags or small boxes of paper items with personal information such as canceled...
This summer, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Illinois declared Monkeypox (MPV) a Public Health Emergency. The Oak Park Health Department has resources and information to keep you and your family informed and safe when it comes to MPV. This virus typically presents...
The Oak Park Fire Department is urging residents to practice a fire escape plan as part of National Fire Prevention Week. Fire officials say you may have as little as two minutes or less to safely escape a home fire from the time a smoke alarm sounds. Advance planning is crucial to a safe escape....
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the inaugural Convivencia festival from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 in Taylor Park, 400 Division St. Organized by the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Convivencia will include Latin American foods, live music, cultural dance, face painting and...
Vote for the Farmers’ Market…From now until Sept. 19, supporters can cast a vote for the Oak Park Farmers’ Market as part of a $10,000 grant giveaway organized by the American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition. Market officials say the grant funding would be used to help with the...
Vaccination urged as flu season approaches…As the flu season approaches, local public health officials are reminding residents that shots are recommended for everyone older than six months. Flu vaccine is offered at numerous commercial pharmacies, grocery stores and other retail sites in the Oak...
Home energy assistance…Income-eligible residents can apply for help paying their utility bills through the Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). For more information about LIHEAP and other programs related to weatherization and payment of water bills, contact an Oak Park Township...
Home rehab assistance available…Helping Oak Park homeowners pay for needed repairs they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford is what the Village’s single-family rehab loan program is all about. The rehab program offers loans of up to $25,000 to correct health and safety issues and building code...
Oak Park is home to more 1,000 businesses owned by neighbors and friends who care about their customers and are invested in the well-being of the community. Pick Oak Park is a Village-wide campaign to support local businesses that call the Village home. Visit www.pickoakpark.com and follow Pick Oak...
Nominations are being sought for the 2022 Historic Preservation, Cavalcade of Pride and Sustainability Awards that recognize efforts made by organizations, individuals and businesses who have played roles in improving the community. Historic Preservation…Nomination categories include restoration,...
New Chief DEI Officer…The Village’s commitment to racial equity took a significant step forward when Danielle Walker, Ph.D., assumed the newly created position of Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer in August. Dr. Walker will be responsible for collaboratively developing and driving the...
Each year, the Village Board sets the official hours for Halloween trick or treating. Typically, the hours are 4 to 8 p.m., Oct. 31. Parents are urged to accompany young children, especially after dark, and inspect all treats. Other safety tips include: Use make-up instead of masks Choose flame-...
The annual fall leaf collection program is scheduled for Oct. 31 – Dec. 9 with six pickups planned for each section of the Village. Residents should rake leaves into the street at least 18 inches from the curb the day before the scheduled pickup dates indicated on the map. Leaves raked into the...
Suburban Cook County voters can cast an early ballot for the 2022 Gubernatorial Election from Oct. 24 through Nov. 7 at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Village Hall hours for early voting will be as follows: Monday, Oct. 24 – Saturday, Oct. 29: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday...
The Oak Park Police Department is alerting residents about an increase in vehicle thefts involving Hyundai and Kia models manufactured from 2010 to 2021. The uptick in local thefts mirrors a nationwide trend where thieves target Hyundai and Kia vehicles that use a mechanical key to start rather...
Pace has scheduled a public budget hearing for 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28 at inside the Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd. in Forest Park. Click here for more information about the public hearing. As part of its proposed 2023 budget, Pace is proposing to permanently eliminate many bus...
The Oak Park Farmers' Market season comes to a close Saturday, Oct. 29. Vendors will set up shop for the last time this year from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at 460 Lake St., one block west of Ridgeland Avenue. The tradition of serving stone soup made from vendor vegetables will return,...