With extremely cold temperatures spread across the region, the Village is reminding residents to limit time outdoors for themselves and their pets, as well as to check in on friends and neighbors who may need assistance. The Village is coordinating around-the-clock emergency warming center operations at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, which opened Wednesday evening and will continue through noon this Saturday, Jan. 24 at 611 Randolph St. On Saturday afternoon, the emergency warming center will move to the Bridge Center at St. Catherine/St. Lucy and operate continuously through 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26 at 38 N. Austin Blvd. The three branches of the Oak Park Public Library also serve as warming centers during regular operating hours. For more information about library locations and hours, click here. For more information about warming centers and tips for staying safe in the cold, visit www.oak-park.us/coldweathersafety.

The contractor for the Renew the Avenue project along Oak Park Avenue spent the week ramping up preliminary work in preparation for the start of sewer and water main replacement from Lake Street to Ontario Street and Randolph Street to Pleasant Street. The full closure of these two blocks to through traffic was postponed until the weather is favorable for the saw-cutting of the existing pavement without damage to the equipment. The contractor is eyeing the week of Feb. 2 for the road closures to take effect. In the meantime, the contractor continues to install construction and detour signage, perform survey layout for the new utilities and complete the marking of existing utilities and installation of the tree protection fence along with other preliminary construction tasks. The contractor will begin moving equipment and materials to the site next week with hopes of starting pavement saw-cutting and removals as soon as the weather allows. Visit www.renewtheavenue.com to sign up to receive construction updates and for the latest information about the project. 

The Village’s work to improve pedestrian safety through its recent Vision Zero and Bike Plan Update initiatives is prominently featured in an article published this month in the American Planning Association’s Planning Magazine. Assistant Village Engineer Christopher Welch is quoted in the article, which focuses on some of the challenges Oak Park and other local governments are facing in implementing pedestrian safety improvements in the face of federal funding being pulled from such projects by the Trump administration. The article also highlights specifics of Oak Park’s updated Bike Plan such as the various types of bike lanes included in the plan. Click here to read the article.

Oak Park University is hosting its first session on Monday, Jan. 26. This nine-week civic education program is designed to educate residents on how Village government works and how they can engage effectively in their community. The inaugural cohort includes 30 participants who will meet weekly for interactive sessions with Village departments and leadership. Upon successful completion, participants will graduate from OPU better equipped with the knowledge and tools to serve and support their communities.

Hospital admissions for influenza-like illnesses this season have reached their highest levels nationally in more than two decades. Due to this increase, the Oak Park Public Health Department is offering flu/COVID combination rapid tests at no cost to residents. Public Health officials recommend testing for these respiratory illnesses if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms including fever, dry cough, trouble breathing, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches or headaches. Community members are welcome to come to Village Hall, 123 Madison St., during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays to pick up free tests from the Welcome Center. This offer will continue as long as supplies last. To confirm tests are available before coming in, contact the Public Health Department at 708.358.5480 or health@oak-park.us.

The Village’s Parking and Mobility Services Division now has a dedicated email address specifically for parking enforcement inquiries. Residents, visitors and businesses can contact the Village’s enforcement team directly at parkingenforcement@oak-park.us for general questions, concerns or to report issues as they arise. This dedicated inbox allows staff to respond more efficiently, monitor concerns in real time and ensure communication is routed where it needs to go. For more information about parking enforcement in Oak Park, visit www.oak-park.us/parkingenforcement.

Longtime Village employee Sue Kornatowski is being promoted to Assistant Director of Human Resources effective Monday, Jan. 26. Sue brings more than 23 years of experience with the Village to her new role, including the past nine years as an HR Generalist. Prior to moving into the Human Resources Department, she filled various roles in Community Relations, Housing & Community Development and the Village Manager’s Office. Some of Sue’s initial projects will include overseeing the Village’s Wellness Committee and serving as the project manager for HR’s revamp of the employee onboarding experience.

Learn about easy ways to bring clean, green energy into your home at the free Bringing Clean Energy Home to Oak Park event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26 at the Community Recreation Center, 229 Madison St. Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsey Roland Nieratka, Village President Vicki Scaman and Trustee Derek Eder will join other local/state climate leaders discussing how recent policies are accelerating the transition to clean energy in Oak Park and across Illinois, and how residents can take positive steps toward fighting climate change. Click here to reserve a spot at the event, which is organized by the Oak Park Climate Action Network.

The Village’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office and the Oak Park Area Arts Council are presenting the work of William A. Keyes now through March 31 in the Arts Council’s gallery at Village Hall. Titled “The William A. Keyes Art Experience: A Celebration of Form,” the photography exhibition explores light, structure and the expressive beauty of the natural and architectural environment. In honor of Black History Month, a reception will be held to celebrate the artwork from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30 at Village Hall. Keyes is the father of Kellye Keyes, the Village’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer.