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

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January 2015

In the 113th year since its incorporation, the Village will launch an aggressive capital improvement program that will focus on improving vital public infrastructure, especially streets and alleys. The 2015 budget marks the start of an historic initiative to invest an additional $20 million over...
Smaller carts – Oak Parkers who opt for a refuse cart the same size as the recycling cart can save $4.28 per month, or $12.84 on each quarterly bill under the new rate structure. About a third of residences served by the Village hauling contractor have chosen this option since it was first offered...
Oak Park was one of the first municipalities in the country to make diversity a matter of public policy. Following each two-year election cycle since a Diversity Statement was first adopted in 1973, the Village Board demonstrates its support of the high ideals embodied in the statement by...
A simple pictogram illustrates the sources of funds for municipal services and how the funds are allocated by service type. How property taxes are distributed among the various taxing bodies also is shown. 
Residents who install low-flow toilets with the WaterSense label may qualify for a $100 rebate. The program, funded by the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation and administered by the Village, will offer rebates to about 50 single-family households. For details, call 708.358.5410 or email...
Oak Parkers interested in saving water and energy are eligible for free water saver kits that can save up to 57 gallons of water per person per day. Each kit contains a low-flow shower head, low-flow kitchen and bath faucet aerators, and a toilet tank displacement device that can make any toilet a...
Voter registration is underway for new residents as well as Oak Parkers who have a new address and wish to vote in the April municipal election. Registration is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, through March 10, at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Voter registration also is...
Warming centers are open from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at West Suburban Medical Center, Erie Street at Austin Boulevard, and from 8:30 a.m. to 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...
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 seven...
Private contractors will be pruning trees through March in the south and southeast areas of the Village. The winter pruning cycle will follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines for tree care to address three key issues — tree health, resident safety and protecting property...
The year just passed was an active one for business investment in Oak Park, with more than $2.3 million spent by newcomers and current operators who relocated to improve their operations. The 60 new businesses that chose Oak Park in 2014 occupied 93,000 square feet of commercial space and generated...
June may seem like a long way from January, but planning already is well underway for the 42nd 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 7. A variety of volunteers are needed to help promote...
Mandatory seminars for rental property owners to learn more about the Village’s Crime Free Housing Program will be offered in January. The program, which gives rental property owners and managers a powerful tool to help reduce the chances of criminal activity in individual rented units, requires...
Applications are now being accepted for financial assistance to install an overhead sewer or a backflow prevention system to protect homes from backup during a heavy rain event. Eligible homeowners may qualify for a grant of 50 percent of the total cost of sewer backup prevention improvements, up...
Property managers, owners and condo boards interested in creating smoke-free buildings can get help through the Health Department’s Breathe Easy Oak Park program. The program offers a range of materials on how to transition to a smoke-free property, including sample letters for tenants and lease...
If you need help kicking the smoking habit, you may want to consider nicotine replacement patches. Free patches are available through the Illinois Department of Public Health Tobacco Free Communities fund. Residents age 18 and over are eligible. To register, call the Illinois Quitline at 866.784....
Property owners who shovel their sidewalks are doing more than making it safer for pedestrians of all ages — they also 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...
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, all parking is prohibited on the main streets posted as snow...
Holiday trees will be picked up on regular trash and recycling collection days during the weeks of January 5 and 12. 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 tinsel,...
**The Village no collects holiday lights for recycling. This archived newsletter article is from 2015. 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. Residents in...
The Park District of Oak Park’s second annual Winterfest is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sat., Jan. 31 in Austin Gardens, 167 Forest Ave. The free, family event will feature outdoor ice skating — weather permitting — as well as music and food. For more information visit www.pdop.org.