Work will soon begin on a months-long water and streetscaping improvement project on Madison Street between Oak Park Avenue and East Avenue. The project consists of water main and service replacements within the project limits, and the contractor plans to begin mobilizing the week of Feb. 26, with water main work anticipated to start the week of March 4. The project also includes new new street lighting, traffic signal upgrades, curb and sidewalk replacement, decorative brick paver installation, landscaping improvements, new signage and roadway resurfacing within the four-block stretch. The contractor will maintain two-way traffic on Madison Street during construction. Minor traffic delays may occur at times during construction, and parking on both sides of Madison between Oak Park and East will be temporarily removed while work is being performed. At least one sidewalk will remain open on Madison (north or south side) during the sidewalk reconstruction for pedestrian traffic, and the contractor will maintain access to all businesses during the hours of operation. The estimated completion date for the project is Nov. 15. The contractor is reaching out to businesses impacted by the work and sending letters to nearby residents to make them aware of the upcoming project.

Construction work on Forest Street and Ontario Street resumed this past week. Light poles are currently being installed, and underground work is planned in the alley south of Austin Gardens to connect the new electric service. Once all the new poles are connected, the old poles will be removed. The new circuit will likely be lit next week. Residents should exercise caution while crews are working.

The Village collected $258,700 in 2023 from the 4% tax that is paid by guests who stay in Oak Park’s local hotel, bed and breakfast, and short-term rental properties. This marks the highest total collected on record and close to a 15% increase compared to 2022. Short-term rentals through companies such as AirBnb continue to drive the record-breaking increase. The Village has approximately 120 licensed short-term rental establishments. Development Services officials say the data continues to provide a strong indication of the increased vitality of Oak Park’s hospitality industry.  

In celebration of Black History Month, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hosted a lunch and learn event this week that featured longtime Oak Park residents Carl Spight and George Bailey. The two members of the Aging in Communities Commission performed live music and told stories of their experiences during decades living in the community. A soulful lunch was catered by local carry-out restaurant Passion Eats. The Office of DEI is hosting another Black History Month celebration with speakers, performers, interactive activities, music and more starting at 11 a.m. this Sat., Feb. 17 at the Nineteenth Century Club. Anyone planning to attend was asked to RSVP. Contact DEI@oak-park.us for more information.

Earlier this month Frank Lipo, Executive Director of The Historic Society of Oak Park and River Forest, gave a presentation on the history of the Black community in Oak Park from the 1880s to today as part of the Historic Preservation Commission’s speaker series. A recording of the presentation is available online – click here to view. The HPC’s speaker series continues on March 14 when Bonnie McDonald, President & CEO of Landmarks Illinois, will host a discussion about “The Relevancy Guidebook,” providing ideas and models from innovators to make preservation a more relevant, just and accessible solution for the problems we face in a changing world.

The Village’s Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee (CDCAC) is seeking to honor individuals and non-profits that have gone above and beyond in supporting Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) initiatives in Oak Park. The CDCAC’s partnership award will be presented this spring in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of the Oak Park’s participation in the federal CDBG program. The nomination deadline is March 1. Find more information about the award criteria and submit a nomination at www.oak-park.us/CDCACaward.

The Public Health Department is spotlighting ways to maintain a healthy heart throughout February as part of American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but you can take steps to reduce your risk of heart disease. One way is to maintain regular physical activity. Community members are invited to walk and chat with a public health nurse for free, as well as get a blood pressure check, at the Community Recreation Center at 229 Madison St. from 10 a.m. to noon next Wed., Feb. 21. For more information, contact the Public Health Department at 708.358.5480 or health@oak-park.us.

Village Hall will be closed on Mon., Feb. 19 in observance of Presidents Day. The refuse and recycling collection schedule will not be affected by the holiday and will occur as regularly scheduled next week. Should an incident that doesn't quite rise to the level of a 911 call occur when Village Hall is closed, residents are encouraged to call the Police non-emergency number 708.386.3800 for assistance. Regular Village Hall hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Click here for more information about Village Hall.

The Village bid farewell to Building Maintenance Contract Coordinator Fred Gutierrez as he retired Wednesday after nearly 23 years with the Village. During his time with the organization Gutierrez served in a number of capacities, including as a building maintenance technician and a member of the Public Works Department’s Water & Sewer Division. The Village also welcomed Pedro Solis as the newest Engineering Technician in the Public Works Department. Pedro has close to four years of experience in civil engineering focused on structural design, mostly in the natural gas sector. He received a Bachler of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois Chicago.

The Village was highlighted for receiving gold certification in the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ EV Readiness program in a news article published by the Energy News Network earlier this month. Click here to read the article, which features the EV Readiness program that prepares Chicago-area communities for electric vehicle adoption. Oak Park was the only community in the EV Readiness program’s first cohort to earn gold certification.

The Oak Park Arts District is busy planning two upcoming events. The first is the annual Women Owned Works event that will take place March 16. The second is the popular What’s Blooming on Harrison festival set for May 18. More information is available at www.oakparkartsdistrict.com or by contacting info@oakparkartsdistrict.com. Additionally, two new business ribbon cutting events are planned in the Arts District in the weeks ahead. All are invited to the Publican Quality Bread ribbon cutting at 9 a.m.  on Feb. 27 at 211 Harrison St. Arts District President Laura Maychruk will also be hosting a ribbon cutting and open house at her Laura Maychruk Real Estate office at 911 S. Lombard Ave. from 2 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 29.