The Police Department will mark the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of Det. Allan Reddins by holding a memorial ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 29 in the Village Hall courtyard. Attendees are asked to arrive at 9:45 a.m. with the ceremony starting promptly at 10:10 a.m. Det. Reddins was killed on Nov. 29, 2024 while responding to a call on Lake Street. His death was the first in the line of duty for a sworn member of the Police Department since 1938. Information about memorials held throughout the past year is available on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/reddins.

The Village partnered with American House this week to honor local veterans in a heartfelt recognition event. While not a formal presentation, the gathering served as a meaningful acknowledgment of the service and sacrifice of our community’s veterans. Each veteran in attendance was individually recognized by name and presented with a certificate of appreciation from American House. Fire Chief JT Terry also spoke during the event, offering words of gratitude and recognition for the veterans’ dedication and service. The event concluded with a casual meet-and-greet, providing an opportunity for Village representatives and community members to personally thank the veterans and express their appreciation. The Police Department's Honor Guard Unit also presented the colors at an annual Veterans Day event held at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association. 

The Office of Economic Vitality procured an advertorial in the November issue of Business in Focus magazine in conjunction with World Business Chicago to market the Village of Oak Park. Click here to view the article.

Shape Oak Park is the Village’s initiative to strategically update the zoning code to create more missing middle housing — duplexes, triplexes and townhomes that fit naturally into neighborhoods while maintaining Oak Park's character, walkability and scale. Community members are urged to take a 10-minute survey to share what they value about Oak Park and how they’d like to see the Village create more housing opportunities for everyone. Find the survey and more information about the initiative at www.engageoakpark.com/shape.

The Village is introducing Oak Park University, a new Government 101 program designed to help residents better understand how their local government works. This free, nine-week course, scheduled to begin Jan. 26, 2026, invites participants to go behind the scenes of Village operations through interactive sessions, guided tours and conversations with staff and elected officials. From public safety and sustainability to budgeting and community development, each week offers a fresh look at how Village services work together to support the community. Learn more and find a link to register at www.oak-park.us/opu.

The Oak Park Public Health Department is joining the FDA in advising consumers not to use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products. The recommendation encompasses all ByHeart infant formula products due to suspected cases of infant botulism tied to the products. More information and recommendations for parents can be found on the FDA website.

Village officials are issuing a reminder that parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities without a valid placard or license is not only illegal but also inconsiderate. These spaces are intentionally designed to provide access, safety and independence for those who need them most. When someone without a disability parks in one of these spaces, even briefly, it can create real hardship. Failure to comply may result in a citation as Parking Enforcement officials are monitoring this throughout the community. Read more at www.oak-park.us/accessibleparking.

This Police Department is celebrating the arrival of Daveon Finley as a new Police Officer. Daveon, who is a lateral hire from another police department, was sworn in during a ceremony in Council Chambers at Village Hall on Monday. The Village Clerk’s Office also recently welcomed Graduate Fellow Edward Cheon. Edward is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Jane Addams College of Social Work, where his dissertation focuses on institutional collaboration and integrated service delivery to strengthen social impact. He received a BA in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley and an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. His early experiences include conducting research on character-based education at a child welfare think tank in South Korea and providing mentoring and advocacy services in California to promote educational equity and cultural awareness. At Penn, he interned as a clinical therapist at the Kirkbride Center, supporting individuals recovering from substance use, and later coordinated a U.S. Department of Education–funded college readiness program at the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND). He currently teaches master’s-level courses in Social Policy and Research Methodology, integrating academic and professional insights to guide emerging social workers. As Communications and Design Lead at UIC’s Great Cities Institute, he helps translate complex research into accessible, community-centered content.

The Roosevelt Road Corridor Plan team is inviting the community to review concepts and strategies for streetscape improvement, site development, economic vitality and more along Roosevelt Road. The Community Open House will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide feedback and guide the final phase of the plan. Click here to RSVP (RSVP is not required to attend). For more information about the plan, visit www.rooseveltroadcorridorplan.com. 

The Oak Park Area Arts Council is hosting its first-ever Cozy On Up Artisan Market the first two weekends of December in the Oak Park Arts District. The market will feature artists, vendors, live performances and free hot cocoa at 217 Harrison St. There will be different vendors each weekend, so stop by both weekends for the best market experience. Shoppers will be able to find artwork, crocheted items, knitwear, jewelry, textiles, ceramics, pottery, clothing, woodworks, stained glass, leather and other artisanal and handcrafted goods.

ComEd fiber installation – The ComEd fiber installation project will complete paving operations this Saturday, Nov. 15.  Pavement markings will be installed next week, finishing out the project.

Street resurfacing – Final manhole adjustments and the final layer of surface were placed Thursday at the cul-de-sac on Marion Street at Chicago Avenue. All streets remaining to be paved are planned for completion early next week. Installation of signs and pavement striping is also tentatively planned for next week.

Bridge repairs – The contractor plans to finalize cleanup and the remainder of the repairs, including asphalt patches near the Lombard Avenue and Oak Park Avenue approaches, by the week of Nov. 24.

Sidewalk Improvements – All punch list work and cleanup is being completed this week.