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 Make way for winter tree pruning
Residents are urged to move their cars from streets when temporary no-parking signs go up to allow private contractors to prune parkway trees quickly and safely during the winter pruning cycle. A portion of the Village’s 18,000-plus parkway trees are scheduled to be pruned this winter. Crews will focus on trees located in the central section of Oak Park. Additionally, younger trees in the north section of Oak Park will also be pruned. Contractors and staff follow industry best management practices for tree pruning to address three key issues — tree health, resident safety and protecting property from damage. Residents may call 708.358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us with questions or concerns about the type or quality of work being performed by contractors. More information on the care of trees on public property is posted at www.oak-park.us/trees.
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Fire Department offers life-saving CPR/AED classes
The Oak Park Fire Department offers a variety of life-saving classes including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and training in how to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED. Classes are held at the Fire Department’s certified American Heart Association community training center in the main station, 100 N. Euclid Ave. Fees vary by type of class and residency. In-person registration at the main station is required, and class sizes are limited. The 2026 class schedule is posted online at www.oak-park.us/cpr along with descriptions of each class offered.
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Report an issue with online service request form
Report a street light outage, pothole, graffiti, missed refuse pickup and more through the new-and-improved online service request form on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/reportaproblem. The updated system allows community members to track their requests as Village staff responds in an effort to streamline communication. Residents can also contact the Public Works Department at 708.358.5700 for assistance.
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 Village budget centers on service delivery, strategic priorities
The municipal budget for 2026 focuses on delivering core services to Oak Park community members while also advancing strategic priorities set out by the Village Board. The 2026 budget is comprised of numerous funds totaling $223 million in expenditure, excluding interfund transfers. Read about how the 2026 budget is allocated at www.oak-park.us/2026budgetsummary. A wide range of financial documents are also available for public view online at www.oak-park.us/financial-reports.
Bueso named new Chief Financial Officer
The Village has named Kevin Bueso, MBA, a seasoned public-sector finance leader with more than 15 years of experience, as its next Chief Financial Officer. Bueso will oversee the Village’s financial operations, long-term fiscal planning, budgeting and financial policy development. He arrives in Oak Park next week after most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Deputy Executive Director of Finance, Innovation and Technology for the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).
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Illinois rolls out new statewide paint recycling program
Households and businesses throughout Illinois can bring leftover paint, stain, sealers and varnish to more than 250 drop-off locations for recycling at no cost through the PaintCare Illinois program. This statewide initiative makes it easier than ever to keep leftover paint out of landfills. Find a nearby drop-off site using the PaintCare Illinois locator. Oak Park residents in single-family homes and buildings with five or fewer units can also schedule to have paint and other household hazardous waste picked up from their home as part of the Village’s garbage/recycling collection contract with LRS. Find details on how to schedule a pickup at www.lrsrecycles.com/oakpark. Additional information about hazardous household waste disposal is available on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/hazardouswaste.
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 Shape Oak Park initiative exploring housing choices
Shape Oak Park is a zoning code update that invites residents to guide Oak Park's evolution while creating more housing choices, which in turn can help boost small businesses. Missing middle housing brings more neighbors (and their wallets) to places like Amelia's bookstore. More housing options creates more vibrant, economically healthy communities. Through year-long engagement, residents will explore how missing middle housing (duplexes, townhomes and small-scale buildings) can expand opportunities for all to live here, all while preserving the neighborhood character that makes Oak Park special. Learn more about the project and share your input at www.engageoakpark.com/shape. Responses to the current Shape Oak Park online survey will be accepted through Jan. 16.
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