Oaktoberfest is this weekend in Downtown Oak Park
Celebrate the changing seasons this weekend at Oaktoberfest in Downtown Oak Park. Enjoy an exciting live music lineup, delicious food from local restaurants, specialty craft beers and kids’ activities from 4 to 10 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 26 and from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. Organizers say this year’s event will be more sustainable than ever. The Village is helping the effort by sponsoring refillable water stations, allowing guests to bring their own reusable bottles to take advantage of complimentary water refill stations, reducing the need for single-use plastic bottles. Click here to read about all of the new sustainability initiatives.
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Resources for Hispanic/Latinx-owned businesses
Hispanic Heritage Month is underway, and now through October 15 the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering a variety of resources to Hispanic/Latinx-owned businesses. Click here to learn more. And ANY business owner in Oak Park can access DCEO's year-round resources.To learn more, visit DCEO's website.
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Explore the Oak Park Open Data Portal
The Village is committed to transparency, innovation and community engagement — and now you can explore it all through the Open Data Portal, available at www.oak-park.us/opendata.This interactive online tool gives residents, researchers, businesses and community partners easy access to a growing collection of maps, reports and downloadable datasets covering everything from zoning and land use to public services and environmental features.
What's available in the portal:
- Interactive maps showing zoning districts, historic landmarks, bike routes and more
- GIS data to download to use in research, reports or planning projects
- Insights into how data informs local decisions and community development
- Users can stay informed about infrastructure, green spaces, transit networks and more
Whether you're curious about your neighborhood or working on a community project, the Open Data Portal is a powerful way to stay connected with the inner workings of Oak Park.
Let's benchmark!
The Village's Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance requires buildings over 10,000 square feet to report water and energy use. This is an important strategy in the Village’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support building owners and organizations in energy efficiency and electrification. Benchmarking reports are due Dec. 31, 2025. If you need assistance in meeting the requirements of this important ordinance, the Village has the following help available:
- Find a Getting Started Guide here; and
- Find more information and submit tickets through the Village's Benchmarking Help Desk.
Engaging Community for Healthy Outcomes
The Village’s E.C.H.O. program is an innovative initiative designed to enhance community safety and well-being by responding to non-emergency, low-risk calls for service through 911 dispatch. E.C.H.O. (which stands for Engaging Community for Healthy Outcomes) provides compassionate support, connecting people to resources and services that meet their needs. A cornerstone of E.C.H.O. is Community Care Navigation, which offers follow-up services for residents after a 911 call or Village-initiated contact. The team provides a response to situations involving unhoused individuals, traumatic community events and other urgent needs, serving as subject matter experts in care coordination within the Village. In case of an emergency, please call 911. For low-risk service calls, the E.C.H.O. team can be reached at echo@oak-park.us or 708.358.5640. Learn more at E.C.H.O. – Engaging Community for Healthy Outcomes.
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Grand finale in the Pleasant District for First Friday Oak Park
Join us in Oak Park’s charming Pleasant District for the final First Friday special event of the year from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 3 along Marion Street between Pleasant Street and Randolph Street! Enjoy an evening of live music, local vendors, family fun and late-night shopping as we say goodbye to summer in style. Grab a bite, sip something seasonal and soak in the community vibes. Whether you're a regular or it's your first time, this is one Friday you won’t want to miss. More info is available here.
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Boost your curb appeal with Oak Park's Façade Improvement Grant
Are you a business or commercial property owner in Oak Park? The Village’s Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program can help refresh and revitalize your storefront — and cover up to 50 percent of eligible improvement costs. Whether it’s new signage, updated lighting, fresh paint or an exterior overhaul, this grant is designed to support projects that enhance the appearance and vibrancy of our local business districts.
Let’s make Oak Park shine - one storefront at a time!
Questions? Contact Noemy Diaz at noemy.diaz@oak-park.us
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