Meetings scheduled for next week:
- Tuesday, August 5:
- Village Board Finance Committee, 6 p.m. in Council Chambers
- Village Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers
- Environment & Energy Commission, 7 p.m. in Room 101
- Wednesday, August 6:
- Citizen Involvement Commission, 6:30 p.m. in Room 101
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m. in Council Chambers
- Thursday, August 7:
- Plan Commission, 7 p.m. in Council Chambers
National Night Out is coming up from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5 on the south lawn at Village Hall. The Police Department is excited to once again be hosting this community celebration that aims to strengthen partnerships and positive interactions between law enforcement and residents. The free event will feature bounce houses, music, face painting, food and more. Find more information at www.oak-park.us/nno25.
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Oak Park resident Karen Schneller and her granddaughter, Lana, age 10, visited Village Hall this week to meet with Community Services Administrator Vanessa Matheny. Lana has organized a neighborhood lemonade stand for Aug. 9 to raise funds in support of immigrants and individuals experiencing homelessness, with a special focus on youth. During her visit, she learned about the Village’s programs and partnerships that support these populations and how the community comes together to address critical needs.
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The Village of Oak Park, in partnership with Riveredge Hospital, The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, West 40, Thrive Counseling Center, River Forest Township and Sustainable Mental Wellness, Inc., is inviting community members to the Suicide Prevention Summit 2025 on Friday, Sept. 19. The full-day event will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Lodge Conference Center, 2715 Jorie Blvd. in Oak Brook. The summit will bring together diverse voices in a shared space of learning, healing and action to advance suicide prevention through education, connection and empowerment.
Attendees can expect a meaningful and engaging experience, with expert speakers delivering a keynote address, a range of interactive workshops focused on community needs and a closing session to bring it all together. The summit will foster cross-sector collaboration, center diverse voices and lived experience, promote evidence-based practices and innovation and encourage both community resilience and collective accountability. Five CEUs will be available for LSW, LCSW, LPC, and LCPC professionals. Tickets are $125 – click here to register to attend. Find complete details about the event at suicidepreventionsummit.my.canva.site.
The Village recently received notification that the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (CCDoTH) has selected Oak Park for participation in the 2025 Invest in Cook Program. CCDoTH is granting the Village $250,000 for construction to support the 2026 Neighborhood Greenway/Bike Boulevard Improvements project as it aligns with Connecting Cook County, the agency’s long-range transportation plan.
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The Village will welcome new employees on Monday in Economic Vitality and Development Services. Michael Mertes fills a newly-created role as an Economic Vitality Administrator in the Village Manager’s Office. He has a Master’s in Public Administration from UIC to go along with 17 years of experience in the industry, including the last 12 years in Arlington Heights. Marlin Jackson will be the Parking & Mobility Services Manager. Also well experienced in the field, he has a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resource Management from Ashford University (now University of Arizona Global Campus). Michael and Marlin are expected to be introduced to the Village Board during the next regular meeting on Tues., Aug. 5.
The Village's annual Cavalcade of Pride Awards recognize property owners who have done an exceptional job of maintaining and improving the exteriors of their homes and businesses. Nomination categories include residential, multi-family, garden, commercial and sign. Do you have a favorite property you’d love to see recognized? Fill out a nomination form today! More details and an online nomination form are posted at www.oak-park.us/cavalcadeofpride. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 15. Find more information about the Village's annual stewardship awards at www.oak-park.us/communityawards25. The awards are administered by the Neighborhood Partnerships Division.
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The Village continues to spread the word about grant funding for solar and other energy efficiency and electrification improvements that residents make to their homes. As part of the effort, the Office of Sustainability and Resilience has been working with a representative from local nonprofit One Earth Local to create an informational brochure, graphics and other documents with information about the grant program. Learn more about what expenses are eligible and how to apply at www.oak-park.us/EnergyGrants.
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The next stop in the First Fridays Street Festival Series is happening from 5 to 9 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 1 on Madison Street. Enjoy live music, explore local vendors and take part in family-friendly activities during this free event in the Fenwick High School parking lot at Madison and East Avenue. First Fridays is hosted by the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce with support from the Village. More information is at www.firstfridaysoakpark.org.
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Water and sewer improvements –The contractor continued working north on Forest Avenue toward Berkshire Street with sewer improvements. The contractor will next transition to water service reconnections, starting on the 1000 block of Forest. Once water reconnections are complete for both the 900 and 1000 blocks of Forest, the contractor will make the necessary water main connections at Division Street. Meanwhile, sewer work continued on the 700 block of Columbian Ave., moving south. The sewer work is anticipated to be completed Aug. 6. This work will be followed by various curb and sidewalk replacements, followed by full pavement reconstruction of the roadway. This work is anticipated to run from approximately mid-August through late September.
Resurfacing project – Saw cutting has begun near Oak Park and River Forest High School as part of this year’s street resurfacing project. Removals of sidewalk, curb and pavement are expected to begin this week. Officials encourage pedestrians and drivers to use caution near open excavations. In preparation for the start of the school year, work will also be focused on the intersections of Erie Street/Linden Avenue, Erie/Scoville Avenue, East Avenue/Washington Boulevard as well as Thomas Street from Ridgeland Avenue to Lombard Avenue and Kenilworth Avenue from Roosevelt Road to the cul-de-sac in preparation for school beginning.
ComEd conduit installation – Major construction is complete for ComEd’s conduit installation project that will provide electric service to the USPS facility in Forest Park. The contractor will still be on site performing cleanup operations. ComEd crews will be installing wire into the conduits, which is done through the existing access points in the parkway. Work will occur in the parking lane so disturbance should be minimal moving forward.
Miscellaneous construction updates – The schedule for additional pavement markings to be installed for the bike boulevard project is currently pending, and the alley improvement project is complete with the exception of landscaping and a few remaining punch-list items.
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