In preparation for the Village Board’s discussion about selecting an option for the Oak Park Municipal Campus Project at its March 18 meeting, Village staff has published a page on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/campus that houses a range of information related to the project. The page includes the stated project goals, definitions of conceptual cost estimates and even a video originally produced in 2020 that provides a comprehensive look at the police station. The Office of Communications and Engagement plans to amplify the page through its communications channels in the next week.

Applications are now being accepted for the Village’s Climate Ready Rainscapes grant program, which helps homeowners manage rain at their property using nature-based solutions. The program is funded by the Village through the Water & Sewer Fund. A limited number of grants are available, and staff is starting its outreach effort by contacting residents who were on a waitlist from the Village’s previous RainReady program. New applicants who are not selected this year will be placed on the waiting list for future assistance. More information is at www.oak-park.us/rainscapes.

The Zoning Board of Appeals met this week to consider two applications, both of which were approved. Brandon Murphy, owner of Oak Park business Murphy Dental Group LLC, applied to receive a sign variance to install one additional wall sign bearing a corporate logo on the north elevation of the commercial building, for a total of two wall signs facing North Boulevard at 100 S. Kenilworth Ave. The application was approved by a 5-0 vote. The other application was from Josh Bartel and Margaret Erlich, who were seeking setback variances to permit a one-story infill mudroom addition, joining the existing house to the existing coach house located at 547 Linden Ave. This application was also approved by a 5-0 vote.

Fire Chief Ron Kobyleski announced he is winding down his 40-year career with the Village and plans to retire May 10. The decorated public servant began his career in 1985 and has held every available rank within the Oak Park Fire Department, including the past three years as Fire Chief. Under Kobyleski’s guidance the Fire Department has responded to more than 26,000 calls since 2022. He also helped oversee facility improvements at Oak Park’s fire stations and worked to replace aging equipment. Click here to read more about Chief Kobyleski’s accomplishments.

Led by Police Chief Shatonya Johnson, a contingent from the Oak Park Police Department joined nearly 240 officers and firefighters from other local, state and federal agencies on Friday morning for an emotional sunrise run in Chicago to honor officers lost in the last year, including Oak Park Detective Allan Reddins. Others in attendance included Commander Kelly Murphy, Court Liaison Officer Cristian Gonzalez, Chaplain Tzvi Montrose and his daughter, as well as Stacey Bailey, mother of Reddins' son Jayden. The 9th annual Fallen Heroes Honor Run was hosted by the U.S. Marshal Service. 

Police Chief Shatonya Johnson delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony for the Chicago Police Department's Suburban Academy on Feb. 28. Johnson spoke to the group about the importance of choice in both their career development and in their personal lives.

The Village recently welcomed Cedtrice Cobbins and Jonathan Gonzalez as the two newest Parking Enforcement Officers. They join a Parking Enforcement unit that recently moved to the Development Services Department’s Parking and Mobility Services Division as part of an internal reorganization after previously being housed within the Police Department.

Jacqui Hargrove started a new position this week after being promoted to Account Clerk within the Finance Department. She moves to Village Hall from the Public Works Department, where she served as a Customer Service Representative since 2022. In other employee news, Carlton McBeth arrived as the new Customer Service Representative in the Neighbor Services Department and will be primarily stationed at the front desk in the Village Hall lobby. The Police Department also welcomed a newcomer as Patrycja Guzy came aboard as the newest Community Service Officer.

The Village is now accepting applications for block parties, which have long been encouraged as an inclusive and engaging way to strengthen community spirit, build camaraderie with neighbors and have fun. The 2025 block party season will run from April 19 through Oct. 31. Each block is limited to two events per year. The events can be a block party, a block sale or a combination of both. The total number of events across the community is limited to 30 per weekend. Some weekends fill quickly, so residents are encouraged to plan events early to ensure preferred dates. Find more information and the block event application and petition forms at www.oak-park.us/blockparties.

The Village is hosting a panel discussion centered around the national Women’s History Month theme: Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations. The free event will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22 in the Veterans Room at the Oak Park Public Library. Refreshments will be served. More information will be posted at www.oak-park.us/WHM25 as it becomes available.

Daylight Saving Time will begin at 2 a.m. this Sunday, March 9. Clocks should be set ahead one hour. Deputy Chief Kevin Fadden and the Oak Park Fire Department recommend using the time switch as a reminder to test and replace the batteries on 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 upfront but actually saves money over the life of the alarm by eliminating battery replacement. For more information about fire safety, visit www.oak-park.us/fire.

March is Illinois Poison Prevention Month, and the Oak Park Fire Department is reminding community members that if they suspect a poisoning, always call 911. This begins an important emergency response when time is of the essence. This is especially crucial as suspected poisonings typically involve young children who cannot communicate reliably. The Fire Department often partners with the Illinois Poison Center for assessments during poisoning responses and is sharing this important resource. The Center provides residents with information and treatment advice on potentially harmful substances via a 24-hour helpline staffed by trained medical experts. It also has a helpful website with important information at www.illinoispoisoncenter.org.

Oak Park health officials are reminding the community we are still in the midst of one of the worst flu seasons the U.S. has experienced in nearly 30 years and that it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine. Flu prevalence is expected to remain elevated for the next month at least. Contact a local pharmacy or your health care provider to get a flu shot and protect yourself and your family from severe illness and hospitalization. More information about preventing seasonal flu is available on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu/prevention.

Come out and experience all the Arts District has to offer while supporting local women-owned businesses in the annual Women Owned Works event on Saturday, March 15. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes a variety deals, freebies and events for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Find a list of participating businesses and more information about the event on the Arts District website.

ComEd began trenching for its conduit installation project at the intersection of East Avenue and Randolph Street on Thursday. The goal of this project is to improve system capacity for a proposed USPS facility in Forest Park. The project will entail trenching new conduit for approximately one mile through the Village along Euclid Avenue from South Boulevard to Randolph, Randolph from Euclid to East, East from Randolph to Washington Boulevard, Euclid from Madison Street to Jackson Boulevard, and East from Jackson to Harrison Street. The proposed conduit is primarily located beneath the roadway, and only small areas of parkway disturbance are anticipated. Traffic will be maintained during construction hours by flaggers, and the street will be open to traffic and parking outside of construction hours. Residents with permit parking in the impacted area will be contacted by the Village with further instruction.  After the conduit is installed the impacted streets will be resurfaced, and the entire project is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.