The Village’s Water & Sewer Division recently mailed lead service line notification letters to households with a confirmed lead service line, a galvanized service line requiring replacement or an unknown service line. Residents who received a notification letter for an unknown service line are encouraged to take the survey utilizing the QR code or website address indicated in the letter. Property owners can also confirm water service line data for their address on an interactive Village-wide inventory map. The effort is part of the Village’s ongoing commitment to providing clean, safe drinking water. An online portal with easy-to-understand information about water service lines launched earlier this year at www.LeadFreeOakPark.com. For more information about the initiative, visit www.oak-park.us/LeadServiceNotification or contact the Public Works Department at 708.358.5700 or publicworks@oak-park.us.

Banners and signs are being placed throughout the community to highlight how federal funding is making a local impact — through support for social service providers and infrastructure improvements. Each sign marks a location where Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) investments have directly benefited the Oak Park community. The signs are being placed in advance of National Community Development Week, which runs from April 21-25. More information about how CDBG makes an impact in Oak Park is at www.oak-park.us/cdbg.

Join community members and neighbors for an important community conversation about firearm safety and suicide prevention at the Save Storage Saves Lives event at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16 at the Community Recreation Center, 229 Lake St. This free educational event aims to empower community members with practical knowledge and legal tools to help prevent injuries and save lives. It will feature presentations from Everytown Gun Safety and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Registration is not required, but will help organizers plan for seating and refreshments – sign up to attend.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Village of Oak Park for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

More than 200 people attended the second annual Oak Park Eco Extravaganza on April 5 at the Oak Park Public Library. The event was coordinated by the Village, Library, One Earth Local and COOP and featured representatives from organizations around Oak Park working on sustainability-related topics. Attendees were able to learn about and discuss ways to get involved in local sustainability efforts. To go with the theme “Community Voices, Sustainable Choices” attendees were asked to add to a word cloud and share, in one word, what sustainable community means to them. It isn’t too late to add to the word cloud! Feedback is being collected until Earth Day – click here to submit a response.

One Earth Film Festival, the Midwest’s premier environmental film festival, returns to Oak Park and other communities in the Chicago area this month for its 14th season. The Village and Oak Park Public Library are partnering to host a free screening of “Every Little Thing” at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23 at Village Hall – click here for free tickets. A screening of “Cafeteria Man” will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 26 at the Oak Park Public Library – click here for free tickets.

The Village Hall lobby is home to a new pop-up library shelf featuring books about fire trucks, voting rights, community building and more that kids can browse while their grown-up visits to pay a water bill, meet with parking officials, etc. Village Clerk Christina Waters helped coordinate the pop-up library, which includes a curated selection of engaging titles for kids that relate to the work done at Village Hall. Click here to read more about the initiative on the Oak Park Library website.

April is Arab American Heritage Month, and the Village is marking the occasion by hosting an Arab American Heritage Month Celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 at Village Hall. Save the date for this special event that will highlight the rich culture, traditions and contributions of the Arab American community through a variety of activities. More information is at www.oak-park.us/AAHM25.

As the weather warms and travel season picks up, the Public Health Department is reminding community members to stay vigilant and up to date on vaccinations. Infectious diseases like measles, COVID-19 and influenza are all seeing increased activity across the country, and proactive steps can make a big difference in protecting yourself and your loved ones this spring. Find the Public Health Department’s latest epidemiology update at www.oak-park.us/epidemiology0425.

The Village celebrated an internal promotion and the arrival of several new employees this week. Gia Willis is the Village’s new Adjudication Administrator. She arrives with a background in legal operations, technology consulting and project management, with experience in process improvement, data analysis, content strategy and cross-functional collaboration. She has worked as a senior technology consultant, optimizing content and workflows, and as a legal analyst, managing outside counsel, vendor relationships and legal billing systems. She also has experience in courtroom management, strategic sourcing and practice group operations, giving her a strong understanding of both legal and business processes. Gia earned her bachelor’s degree from Humboldt University.

In the Neighborhood Services Department, Charlotte Kenny was promoted to the position of Budget and Revenue Analyst. Charlotte, a graduate of Marquette University, previously served as a Neighborhood Services Account Clerk. Elsewhere, Alina Dekirmenjian is the new Sustainability Fellow in the Office of Sustainability & Resilience. Alina has a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and a master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago. The Public Works Department also welcomed a new employee as Laurence LeGrand started in the role of Water & Sewer Worker.

Another new business has joined the Oak Park business community with First Light Home Care opening at 840 S. Oak Park Ave., Suite 211, in the Fifth Third Bank building in the Southtown Business District. Owner John McFerrin and Care Coordinator Margot Middle are happy to share information about the services they provide to support adults in maintaining a life of dignity and independence. For more information contact 708.665.3325 or visit www.firstlighthomecare.com/home-healthcare-oak-park. The photo included here shows owner McFerrin holding the scissors surrounded by Cameron Davis of the Village’s Development Services Department and many Oak Park and River Forest Chamber of Commerce representatives at this week’s ribbon-cutting event. 

Visit Oak Park will unveil its rebrand and an inspiring new campaign during its annual meeting from 8 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6 at Cheney Mansion. Attendees will enjoy a delicious breakfast, connect with fellow community members and take part in a conversation about the future of tourism in the Oak Park area. Click here to purchase tickets to attend the event.

With spring in full swing, community members are encouraged to check out all of the exciting things the Oak Park Arts District has to offer. Whether you’re looking for an opportunity to learn a new skill at one of the district’s many businesses, an exciting event to enjoy with fellow Oak Parkers or your next unique purchase, the Arts District has something for everyone. For a list of businesses and events in the Arts District, visit www.oakparkartsdistrict.com.

Beginning in June, the main entrance of the Austin Green Line station will be closed for the start of a major CTA project to improve accessibility. The $25 million station reconstruction is expected to continue into early 2026. Work will include the installation of a new elevator and escalator connecting to the platform, reconstruction of the stairs and a new ADA compliant ramp, extension of the platform and other station enhancements. During this time, riders will continue to have access to rail services using the station’s auxiliary entrance. Click here for a press release issued by the CTA highlighting the project.

Alley reconstruction update – Sewer improvements are complete in the alley between the 200 blocks of Scoville Ave. and East Ave. Sewer work will begin in the alley between Monroe Street and Adams Street at the end of this week. Earth excavation and pavement removal is in progress in the alley between the 1100 blocks of Oak Park Ave. and Grove Ave. Removals will start next week in the alley between Randolph Street and Washington Boulevard. All affected residents have received parking passes.

Nicor sewer televising set to begin – Nicor Gas will be returning to Oak Park to inspect sewer mains and laterals for any gas service conflicts at the following locations: Edmer Avenue between Greenfield Street and North Avenue, and S. Cuyler Avenue between Van Buren Street and Harrison Street. There will be no interruption to residents’ natural gas or sewer service during inspections unless repairs are needed. Work is expected to begin sometime next week. No lane closures or parking restrictions are anticipated.

Manhole inspection project – The Village’s new program for assessing manhole conditions is in progress. This week, crews are working on inspecting manholes on Chicago Avenue between Kenilworth Avenue and Austin Boulevard, and Ridgeland Avenue between Chicago Avenue and South Boulevard. Flaggers will be onsite to direct traffic around work areas. Minor traffic delays and partial lane closures are anticipated.

ComEd project update – Work continued on the ComEd project for the USPS facility in Forest Park. The trenching work on Euclid Avenue south of Madison Street is complete, and work is in progress on East Avenue between South Boulevard and Randolph Street. Restoration for these locations is scheduled for late May.