Office of the Village Clerk

Early voting began Feb. 21at Cook County court houses and is set for March 5 through March 19 at Village Hall, 123 Madison St.

Suburban Cook County residents can vote early at Village Hall during the following hours:

Village Hall also will offer grace-period registration during early voting hours for those individuals who missed the registration deadline. Valid identification is required to to register during the grace period and a vote must be cast immediately after registration. A driver’s license or picture ID is preferred, along with an additional item such as a lease or utility bill with the current address.

For more information on the March 20 Primary Election, including polling sites by address, visit www.cookcountyclerk.com/elections.

The Village Board relies on the volunteer efforts of more 200  residents who serve on various advisory boards, commissions and committees. Each commission prepares an annual work plan based on the needs of the Village Board, which may also refer additional projects or issues to these bodies for recommendations.

Most commissions meet one evening each month. Maximum service time is two, three-year terms. Like all public meetings, notices are posted online and at Village Hall and are open to observers.

Any resident considering serving is invited to attend a meeting of any advisory bodycommissions in which they may be interested and introduce themselves to the chair and staff liaison to learn more about current activities. More information on the various advisory bodies is posted on this web site - just click here.

The Village Clerk is keeper of the Village seal and all official records and certifications. The Clerk's Office serves as the official depository for petitions, bankruptcy notices, liens, releases of lien and insurance claims.

Village Board minutes, ordinances and resolutions may be reviewed at the Clerk's Office in Village Hall. Maps, copies of official records and local ordinances also may be viewed and purchased in the Village Clerk's Office.

The Clerk's Office also handles information requests made under the Freedom of Information Act. To access the online FOIA application form, click here.

Any organization wishing to conduct a special event involving public property such as a run, walk or sidewalk sale in Oak Park, must apply for a special event permit and pay a fee - click here to see the fee schedule.

The purpose of the permit is to give the Police and other Village municipals departments the opportunity to consider any public safety issues related to the event.

Applicants may be required to provide an insurance certificate as well as reimburse any expenses incurred by the Village, such as protection, preparation or post-event cleanup. To apply, applicants must complete and file a specific form - click here for the special event application form.

The Village Clerk is a registrar for voters and the local election authority. Under state law, an individual must be registered to vote at least one month prior to the date of the election to be eligible to participate. Registration information must be transferred to the new address if a registered resident moves within Oak Park. 

Residents can register to vote in local, state and federal elections during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, in Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St . Voter registration requires two types of identification, at least one with the current address. A driver's license or picture ID is preferred, along with an additional item such as a lease or utility bill.

More information about elections, voter registration, absentee voting, filing for candidacy for local office and the electoral process are available from the Cook County Clerk at www.cookcountyclerk.com.