U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin traveled to Oak Park on Monday to learn more about the Village’s response to the arrival of asylum-seeking migrants last fall with President Vicki Scaman, Village staff and other key community stakeholders. Members of the group, which included representatives from the Village’s Emergency Operations Center, Housing Forward, the West Cook YMCA and The Carleton Hotel of Oak Park, were able to share their experiences and discuss best practices for other communities interested in stepping up to help the way that Oak Park has done. The trip also included a roundtable discussion with migrants who came to Oak Park about their personal journeys to the United States and aspirations for the future.

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was pleased to learn this week that the Village has been accepted into Welcoming America's Certified Welcoming Leadership Cohort. The program is designed for communities aiming for the 3-, 4-, or 5-star designation, offering valuable assistance in reaching certification goals. Over the next year, the Village will be engaging in self-assessments, audit preparations, report receptions and celebratory moments. Additionally, Village staff will have monthly discussions with both peers and Welcoming America staff, providing ongoing support and learning opportunities. The Welcoming Standard encompasses key areas such as language access and fair hiring practices, emphasizing not just immigrant integration but also fostering inclusivity among all residents. Upon meeting the Welcoming Standard, the Village hopes to attain the Certified Welcoming title, offering the organization a competitive edge and platforms to showcase Oak Park initiatives locally and beyond.

Vanessa Matheny, Grants Manager in the Village’s Neighborhood Services Department, is collaborating with suburban Cook County cohort members on a 100-Day Challenge addressing encampment and unsheltered homelessness alongside Re!nstitute, an international nonprofit established to help communities swiftly and effectively addresses critical social problems. Following the latest Point in Time Count on Jan. 15, 2024, a total of 255 individuals were identified as experiencing unsheltered homelessness in suburban Cook County. The team aims to house 88 people successfully, with 30% being adults aged 55 or older.

Fleet Superintendent Ken Crowley from the Public Works Department joined Sue Kornatowski and Angela Acevedo from the Human Resources Department in visiting Oak Park and River Forest High School on Thursday to recruit students to participate in the Public Works summer internship program. The Village is seeking nine OPRF students to fill internships that are available in the Water & Sewer, Streets, Engineering, Forestry and Fleet divisions. The program is specifically targeting graduating seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in the various Public Works sectors. This is the second consecutive year the Village has worked directly with OPRF to fill the internships.

Public Health Director Dr. Theresa Chapple is being honored as a 2024 Westside Suffragist this weekend in recognition of Women’s History Month and the legacy of Ida B. Wells. Honorees will be celebrated on Sunday, March 10 at the Ida B. Wells Suffragists Brunch, hosted by the Women of the 7^th Congressional District. Those being recognized as Westside Suffragists were chosen based on their “work uplifting their communities” and embodying the ideals of Ida B. Wells by “emulating the fearlessness of this unapologetic trailblazer.”

The Community Policing Division marked two milestones this week. Officer Alvin Stanford retired Monday after 20 years with the Oak Park Police Department. He most recently served as a Foot Patrol Beat Officer working in Oak Park’s business districts. Fellow Foot Patrol Officer Michael Kelly was also recognized by the Village Manager’s Office for 35 years of service to the Village.

The Village welcomed two new employees this week as Pablo Rivera started in his role as the Animal Control Officer in the Public Health Department and Nisha St. Louis joined the organization as Housing Programs Coordinator in the Neighborhood Services Department. Nisha arrives with about seven years of experience in various areas of social services, legal services and local government. Most recently she worked for The Boulevard of Chicago’s expedited housing initiative and rapid rehousing program. Nisha earned her Master’s degree in public policy from Loyola University Chicago and has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology & Criminology from William Paterson University in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Pablo comes to Oak Park after having served as an animal control officer in Joliet for about four years. Pablo has earned a canine certification, and is also a state certified wildlife technician and a certified animal behavioral specialist. Prior to his position in Joliet, Pablo provided private security for the state of Illinois.

Renewal notices were e-mailed this week to Oak Park residents with a registered animal license, but not before the Public Health and Information Technology Departments teamed up to transition the renewal process to the Village View web portal. The deadline to renew is April 30. All dogs and outdoor cats in Oak Park are required to display a current animal license. Licensing is a vital part of the recovery process if a pet runs away from home. More information is at www.oak-park.us/animalcontrol.

Bonnie McDonald, President & CEO of Landmarks Illinois, is the guest speaker for the next installment of the Historic Preservation Commission’s Speaker Series from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 14 at Village Hall. McDonald will host a discussion about “The Relevancy Guidebook,” providing ideas and models from innovators intended to make preservation a more relevant, just and accessible solution for the problems we face in a changing world. The discussion will be held prior to the HPC’s regular monthly meeting. More information is available on the Village website – click here to view.

Daylight Saving Time will begin at 2 a.m. this Sunday, March 10. Clocks should be set ahead one hour. The Oak Park Fire Department recommends using the time switch as a reminder to test and replace the batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that use alkaline batteries. Better yet, consider changing your alarms to one of the newer devices, which have both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in one device. These devices also contain a sealed 10-year battery, which costs a bit more up front but actually saves money over the life of the alarm by eliminating battery replacement. For more information on fire safety, visit www.oak-park.us/fire.

Downtown Oak Park's annual Jazz Thaw is happening this Saturday and Sunday (March 9-10). Music lovers can sip, sizzle and swing while enjoying free live music performances in 13 Oak Park restaurants located in the Downtown Oak Park business district. In addition to performances from 1 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, for the first time the event will also feature a jazz brunch at select locations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Find a full list participating restaurants and performances at www.downtownoakpark.net/event/jazz-thaw.

As part of its ongoing preparations for the What’s Blooming on Harrison festival, the Oak Park Arts District Business Association is seeking area artists or residents who would donate a piece of their art for the festival’s annual art auction. The Arts District uses 100% of the proceeds from the art auction to support the business district’s many initiatives that occur throughout the year. Anyone interested in donating art is encouraged to contact Mimi Comerford at mimirobertsinc@me.com. The What’s Blooming on Harrison festival will take place on May 18. More information about the event, including details about how to sign up as an exhibitor, is available on the Arts District website – click here to view.

Madison Street improvement project – Water main intallation began on Madison Street this week. The contractor is starting at the intersection of Madison and Oak Park Avenue and will move east toward East Avenue over the next few weeks. The north leg of Wesley Avenue at Madison Street will be closed most of the day Monday, March 11 to accommodate the project.

Forest & Ontario update – Crews are in the process of setting up new electrical lighting service in the alley south of Austin Gardens Park. Old light poles in the vicinity of Forest Avenue and Ontario Street will be removed once the new circuit is lit. Construction in the area will pause after completion of the electric work and then resume in the spring when asphalt plants reopen.

Focus Development update – Final inspections are in progress for all of the completed work at the new Focus Development located at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Marion Street. Metal panel installation is also ongoing on the south elevation of the property.