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May 2025 Public Health E-Newsletter 

Back in 1977, the Oak Park Farmers' Market was held on North Boulveard behind the Oak Park Fire Department headquarters on Euclide Ave. Today, it's held in the parking lot of Pilgrim Church and hosts more than 20 vendors.

Celebrating 50 Years of Community

We’re thrilled to celebrate the 50th season of the Oak Park Farmers’ Market, a beloved summer staple brought to you by the Public Health Department. In 1976, the Markets' original founders, Marge Gockel and Carla Lind, assembled vendors for the very first season. Fifty years later, the Market is going strong with more than 25 vendors. 

As part of our excitement, we created a special anniversary music video! See if you can spot some Health Department staff in this incredible video produced by the Village to celebrate this milestone!

Be sure to join us opening day, Saturday, May 17, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 460 Lake St. in the parking lot of Pilgrim Church. The Market will run every Saturday, rain or shine, through Oct. 26. 

Shop fresh, local produce, cheese and other goods directly from regional producers, catch up with neighbors, and check out special 50th anniversary Market merchandise at the info tent. Our Market is proudly SNAP/Link accessible. We’ll continue offering up to $25 in matching coupons each week to SNAP customers to stretch their produce dollars.

We can’t wait to kick off the season with you! For vendor details and special events, visit the Farmers’ Market webpage.

Honoring AAPI Heritage Month

In 1992, May was officially designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month — a time to celebrate the achievements and lasting impact of AAPI communities across the nation.

This month, we honor Dr. David D. Ho, whose pioneering work transformed the fight against HIV/AIDS. Born in Taiwan and raised in the United States, Dr. Ho revolutionized HIV treatment through the development of combination antiretroviral therapy (HAART), dramatically improving the prognosis for millions of people worldwide. His contributions demonstrated the profound impact that innovation, compassion and advocacy can have on global health.

While we celebrate leaders like Dr. Ho, it is also crucial to recognize that disparities persist within the AAPI community. Cultural misunderstandings, data aggregation and the myth of the "model minority" continue to mask the unique health challenges faced by different AAPI populations, leading to gaps in care and outcomes.

Here in Oak Park, we are embarking on our IPLAN (Illinois Project for Local Assessment of Needs) process, a comprehensive, community-driven assessment that will guide public health priorities for the next five years. We are committed to listening to the diverse voices in our community, identifying barriers to health equity and designing initiatives that address the specific needs of all residents.

The Village is also partnering with the Oak Park Public Library and community volunteers to host an Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Celebration from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 31 at the Oak Park Public Library. Click here for more information.

Catch us in the Community!

Narcan Training – Join us at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at the Community Recreation Center for a free 90-minute community training on opioid overdose prevention and the use of Narcan nasal spray. Learn harm reduction principles, how to recognize an overdose and how Narcan works — with hands-on practice included. All participants will receive a free opioid overdose prevention kit. Sign up for this or a future training here!

A Day in Our Village – Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Oak Park’s beloved community festival, A Day in Our Village, happening in Scoville Park! Visit with the Public Health Department and more than 100 other local organizations, enjoy food from nearby restaurants, and catch live performances on the Scoville Park Stage. It’s a great opportunity to connect with the heart of our community.

Farewell Nurse Kitty

After five years of dedicated service, Public Health Nurse Kitty Monty has left the Oak Park Department of Public Health. During her time with the Village, Kitty made significant contributions to our public health efforts, including leading vaccine clinics, supporting HIV and STI surveillance, providing lead case management for children and assisting with migrant health outreach initiatives. Her clinical expertise, collaborative spirit and commitment to community well-being were vital across a wide range of programs, including the Village’s COVID-19 response efforts. Kitty is pursuing a new opportunity as a Clinical Operations Manager at a federally qualified health center. These health centers, located across the U.S., are dedicated to increasing access to health care for everyone in the communities they serve. We thank Kitty for her many contributions to Oak Park and wish her continued success in this next chapter of her career!

Epidemiology Corner

Measles: Illinois reported its first measles case of 2025 in late April. Nationally, more than 880 cases have already been confirmed this year. This is nearly triple last year’s total, marking the second-highest case count in 25 years. Most infections are among unvaccinated individuals under age 19. Measles is highly contagious, but two doses of the MMR vaccine offer strong protection. If you’re unsure of your vaccination status, talk to your provider. COVID-19 & Respiratory Illnesses: Acute respiratory illness rates remain low across Illinois. However, with summer travel and gatherings on the horizon, seniors and immunocompromised people are encouraged to get a COVID-19 booster if it’s been six months since their last dose. Free vaccines are available for those without insurance at PCC Wellness, Cook County Health clinics, and the Infant Welfare Society. On the Radar: The CDC is monitoring the H5N1 bird flu, which has caused 70 human cases and one death globally. While risk to the general public remains low, individuals who work closely with animals or livestock should stay informed. Stay protected — review your vaccination records and take steps to reduce risk for yourself and your community.

Maternal Mental Health Week

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, observed from May 5–11, 2025, shines a light on the emotional well-being of mothers and birthing parents. Up to one in five women experience mental health concerns during pregnancy or the first year after childbirth. Too often, however, stigma and lack of access to mental health services keep parents from seeking support. This year’s theme, "Your Voice, Your Strength," reminds us that speaking up about maternal mental health is a powerful act of advocacy for yourself and other parents in your life. Whether it’s reaching out for help, sharing your story or supporting someone else, every voice matters. The Village is partnering with organizations throughout the westside for a Black maternal health event. "From Bump 2 Baby" will bring together four maternal health experts to speak and answer questions. The event will take place at PCC Austin Family Health Center on May 21 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. Admission is free, and dinner will be served. Please RSVP here!

Intoxicating hemp and kratom product regulations in Oak Park

Beginning June 1, the Village of Oak Park will regulate the sale of intoxicating hemp products (such as Delta-8 THC edibles) and kratom. New regulations include:

• Prohibiting sales to individuals under 21,
• Requiring plain packaging,
• Locating products behind the counter or in locked cases

These measures aim to protect youth from mistakenly consuming these products and to raise awareness about potential health risks. Unlike regulated THC, intoxicating hemp products are not tested for safety and are often marketed in ways appealing to children, increasing risks of accidental ingestion.

Kratom, an herbal substance with stimulant and opioid-like effects, also poses public health concerns including addiction and dangerous drug interactions. While legal in Illinois for individuals over 18, kratom is not FDA-approved and requires careful use.

For more information, visit our webpage on the topic or email hemp.ordinance@oak-park.us. 

The correlation between autism and the MMR vaccine is in the headlines again. What do researchers have to say about this connection, and is it proven? 

While researchers are continuing to study factors that cause autism, there have been various studies proving that vaccines don't influence the development of autism. In 1998, a researcher named Andrew Wakefield claimed that the MMR vaccine caused autism through his study of 12 children that exhibited symptoms of autism around the same time they received their MMR vaccine. However, the study was later retracted because of flaws in the research design and the misinformation it spread.

We have learned through further research that the factors that correlate with autism are genetic and other environmental factors. Although we have seen a rise in autism diagnosis, it is mostly related to the broadening of diagnostic criteria to include a wider range of functional levels, improved screening tools and increased awareness of autism. 

To read more about Wakefield's retracted study and the later studies that showed no link between vaccines and autism, click here.