Joseph “JT” Terry, a highly experienced first responder with a passion for promoting health, safety and security, has been named Oak Park’s new Fire Chief by Village Manager Kevin J. Jackson. Terry has served the Village in various leadership roles since joining the Oak Park Fire Department in 2007. Most recently he served as Deputy Fire Chief of EMS Operations and Infectious Disease. In that role, he led initiatives to reduce injuries, streamline medical equipment procurement and improve emergency response for high-risk populations. Terry is scheduled to be sworn in at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 23 at the main fire station, 100 N. Euclid Ave. More information is about the announcement is at www.oak-park.us/terry.

Looking for an opportunity to donate blood? The Oak Park Public Health Department is hosting a blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24 at Village Hall. One donation can save up to three lives and can help your neighbors who have been in a car accident, are having surgery, receiving cancer treatments or experiencing medical issues after giving birth. Click here to sign up to donate. Make sure to eat a good meal and hydrate well before donating. On June 24, the Vitalant mobile donation van will be parked in front on Village Hall on Madison Street. Participants can walk directly up to the donation site, there is no need to check in or enter Village Hall. More information is at www.oak-park.us/blooddrive.

Vanessa Matheny, Community Services Administrator for the Village’s Neighborhood Services Department, was a featured presenter at the 56th Annual Conference of the National Community Development Association (NCDA), held this week in Salt Lake City. Vanessa shared insights and best practices in a presentation titled "Best Practices for Addressing Homelessness," highlighting the Village’s collaborative, data-informed approach to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The presentation drew interest from communities across the country seeking to strengthen their own housing and service strategies. Her participation underscores Oak Park’s leadership in advancing equitable and innovative community development solutions.

The Finance Department welcomed two new employees this week as Mary Modelski arrived as the new Budget Manager and James Karsten joined the organization as Management Analyst. Mary has a master’s degree from Northern Arizona and a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. James has a master’s degree in public policy, specializing in municipal finance.

Following a lengthy application and audit process, the Village of Oak Park recently learned that it has officially earned a 1-Star Certified Welcoming designation from Welcoming America. This community victory reflects the collective efforts, passion and dedication of every organization, agency and individual who continues to intentionally cultivate an inclusive, equitable and welcoming Oak Park. The commitment and partnership of many key collaborators have made this possible. Additional information about Oak Park’s 1-Star designation will be coming later this summer in conjunction with Welcoming America’s official announcement.

The entire community is invited to the Juneteenth community cookout from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, June 14 on the south lawn at Village Hall. The free event will feature live entertainment, activities for kids, a Black-owned business fair and, of course, delicious food. The entertainment lineup includes the Jesse White Tumbling Team, Kuumba Kids Dance, soul and funk from The J. Grant Experience and crowd favorites from DJ Camo. More information is at www.oak-park.us/juneteenth. The community cookout comes after the Village kicked off its Juneteenth celebration with a flag-raising event Wednesday featuring speakers, music, food and more. Click here to view a recording of the ceremony.

Village Hall will be closed on Thursday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth and will reopen at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 20. 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 can 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. 

The Fire and Police Departments were excited to help escort the Oak Park and River Forest High School softball team as it departed for the IHSA State Championship in Peoria. The escort proceeded westbound along Lake Street to Harlem Avenue. From there, River Forest responders continued to escort the team through their community. The Huskies are scheduled to play against Oswego in the Class 4A semifinal at 5:30 p.m. today. The state championship and third-place games are scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. All games will be played at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.

Participants and volunteers are being sought for Oak Park’s annual Fourth of July parade. More than 50 groups typically take part in the parade, which marches north on Ridgeland Avenue from Adams Street to Augusta Street. Participants can register online. For more information about the Fourth of July parade, call 708.358.5405 or email community@oak-park.us.

The Oak Park Public Health Department is marking Men’s Health Week by raising awareness about ways to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among men. The American Heart Association states that, nationally, more than one in three adult men have some form of cardiovascular disease, and African American men are significantly more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than Caucasian men. Tips for avoiding the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease include making some lifestyle changes, visiting a doctor for regular health screenings and taking steps to avoid infections. 

Join the Oak Park Area Arts Council and the Park District of Oak Park for Beyond the Walls: The Art Behind Oak Park’s Mini Murals from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 20. The event at Cheney Mansion offers the chance for attendees meet the artists who brought the vibrant murals to life along the train tracks in Oak Park. The event is limited to adults age 21 and older and requires paid registration, with $15 of the registration fee supporting the Oak Park Area Arts Council.

Out of 87 total applicants, the Village was among those chosen for technical assistance from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) in the development of a pavement management plan. The project looks at the current condition of pavement, evaluates cost and helps develop a capital plan. Next steps involve the Public Works Department’s Engineering Division working with CMAP and a contractor in coordinating the scope, strategy and timeline for the project.

Home Avenue Bridge rehabilitation - Weather permitting, work will occur on the Home Ave pedestrian bridge over I-290 starting Monday, June 16 through Wednesday, June 18. The work includes cleaning the bridge deck and applying a concrete sealer. Concrete sealer protects the bridge from seasonal weather impacts and prolongs the bridge’s serviceable lifespan. The bridge will remain open for a majority of the three planned work days, but may be closed for a few hours to allow for the concrete sealer to cure.

Water and sewer improvements – The contractor installed tree protection fencing within the project limits for upcoming water and sewer improvements along Columbian Avenue and Forest Avenue. The contractor will excavate and expose the water main at the intersection of Forest and Greenfield Street starting Monday morning. Warning signs and barricades will be placed at Woodbine Avenue and Belleforte Avenue to deter traffic from entering the work zone. The sewer work on Columbian between Division Street and Augusta Street is anticipated to start the week of June 23. All affected residents have received parking passes. The estimated completion date is Nov. 14.

Bike boulevards update – Striping and signage work for the bike boulevards project is tentatively scheduled for the week of June 23. Punchlist work for the newly installed rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) will begin in the next few weeks.

Pavement preservation update – The contractor completed pavement patching and the related patching punch list items. The contractor is currently working on placing fiber modified crack seal in various locations. It is anticipated that microsurfacing and rejuvenator application will take place the week of June 23.

Alley improvements – Sewer improvements associated with alley projects resumed starting at the alley by the 300 block of Clinton Ave. Once the sewer work is complete at this location, crews will move to the alley between the 600 blocks of Highland Ave. and Cuyler Ave. Earth excavation and pavement removal will follow the completion of the sewer work. The estimated completion date for the entire project is July 15. All affected residents have received parking passes.

ComEd distribution conduit installation - Work is getting started on the final pavement restoration for the ComEd project for the USPS facility in Forest Park. Crews are starting with pavement removal on East Avenue from South Boulevard to Randolph Street, Randolph from East to Euclid Avenue, and Euclid from Randolph to Washington Boulevard. Pavement restoration will also take place on Euclid from Madison Street to Jackson Boulevard. Sidewalk improvements will begin at East and Van Buren Street with the intention of beginning final pavement restoration on the section on East from Jackson to Harrison Street the week of June 23.