The Police Department is excited to announce an updated Residential Beat Officer program in its Community Policing Division. Three Resident/Neighborhood Beat Officers – Eric Locke, Raphael Murphy and Christine Simkus – are assigned to the eight zones in the Village (click here for the zone map). These RBOs will hold meetings in the neighborhoods they serve to discuss issues, crime trends and answer questions. Residents are also encouraged to reach out to their RBO to offer feedback or for crime prevention advice. Contact information for each RBO is available at www.oak-park.us/rbo. In addition, veteran Foot Patrol Officer Michael Kelly continues to support the Downtown Business District as a liaison to the business community. Click here for more information.

The Village has been recognized by as the “Energy Team of the Year” for public sector participants through its participation in ComEd’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program. Points towards this honor were earned by the Village completing energy assessments for Village properties, completing incentive-funded energy projects, communicating energy efficiency organization wide, developing standard operating procedures related to energy efficiency and many other actions. This effort is a collaboration between the Office of Sustainability and Public Works Department. In 2025, participation in SEM saved the Village a total of 871,717 kWh with an estimated avoided utility cost savings of $102,601. The Village also received $43,585 in incentives for its energy efficiency work.

The Village has once again earned a strong “AA” credit rating from S&P Global Ratings, a leading independent financial ratings agency, reaffirming confidence in the Village’s financial health, responsible budgeting practices and long-term planning. The rating applies to Oak Park’s existing general obligation debt and a new $22 million bond issuance, which will be used to refinance prior debt at lower interest rates thereby saving taxpayers money over time. S&P also assigned Oak Park a stable outlook, signaling expectations that the Village’s finances will remain solid in the years ahead. Click here for a news release with more information.

The Village is hosting its fourth annual Black History Month Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave. The doors will open at 10:30 a.m. with the program running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year's theme is "Celebrating a Century of Black History," honoring 100 years since the first national Black History Week was established in 1926. The Village’s family-friendly program will feature music, dance, historical reflection and storytelling that celebrate the richness and resilience of Black history and culture. The program will also include a special keynote address by acclaimed author and speaker Maggie Anderson, author of “Our Black Year: One Family’s Quest to Buy Black in America’s Racially Divided Economy.” Light refreshments will be served. The Black History Month Celebration is free to attend, but registration is required as space is limited. Click here to register to attend.

The Village is hosting two Shape Oak Park Community Workshops to explore how updating Oak Park's zoning code could create more housing choices — like duplexes, triplexes and townhomes that fit naturally within local neighborhoods. Attendees will hear about what the Shape Oak Park team has learned so far, explore what missing middle housing looks like in Oak Park and share their voices on the updates to the zoning code. Whether you're a long-time resident or just putting down some roots, your perspective matters. The first workshop is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. on March 2 at the Community Recreation Center. The second workshop will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on March 4 at the main Oak Park Public Library. Both workshops will cover the same material, so community members are invited to attend whichever fits their schedule. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information about the Shape Oak Park initiative, visit www.engageoakpark.com/shape.

The Office of Sustainability and Resiliency continues to support property owners get into compliance with the Village’s benchmarking ordinance. This Wednesday building owners and managers received in-person help entering building data and connecting to the Village’s benchmarking database. Property owners still needing to benchmark their 2024 building data can find step-by-step guides on the Village’s Knowledgebase, and one-on-one assistance is always available. More information is at www.oak-park.us/benchmarking.

Village Hall will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16 in observance of Presidents Day. The refuse and recycling collection schedule will not be affected by the holiday and will occur as regularly scheduled next week. Should an incident that doesn't quite rise to the level of a 911 call occur when Village Hall is closed, call the Police non-emergency number 708.386.3800 for assistance.

February is American Heart Month, and the Oak Park Public Health Department is highlighting ways to maintain a healthy heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but you can take steps to reduce your risk. One way to improve heart health is to maintain regular physical activity, which can be as simple as going for a walk with a friend or while listening to music. Oak Park residents can walk the indoor track for free at the Park District of Oak Park’s Community Recreation Center at 229 Madison St., a warmer option during the winter months. Find more heart health tips at www.oak-park.us/heartmonth.

The Development Services Department is celebrating the promotion of Takeshi Thompson to the position of Business License Officer. Takeshi moves into her new position after serving the past four years as the Parking Restrictions Coordinator within the Parking & Mobility Services Division. She first joined the organization in 2021 as a Customer Service Representative after previously working in the financial services industry.

Building Inspector Jamin Townsley recently passed the tests required to obtain the International Code Council Residential Building Inspector Certification. Congratulations to Jamin on this achievement. Jamin was also sworn in this to his role within the Development Services Department after joining the Permits & Development Division late last year.

Effective this month, free parking in the Avenue Garage at 720 North Blvd. has been extended to 90 minutes during the Renew the Avenue project. Crews are adding extra signage in the vicinity of Oak Park Avenue to direct drivers to the garage. The parking rates on the digital boards at the entrance of the garage have also been updated. The VIllage also produced a video promoting the garage and encouraging visitors to patronize nearby businesses during the ongoing construction project - click here to view the video. For more information and rates at all of Oak Park’s public parking garages, visit www.oak-park.us/garagerates.

Tree replacement, sewer installation on tap on Oak Park Avenue – The Renew the Avenue project team is preparing for tree removal next week along Oak Park Avenue between Pleasant Street and Lake Street. The trees that are scheduled to be removed have outgrown their existing tree pits. A total of 40 new trees will be installed as part of the proposed landscaping improvements. Parking along Oak Park Avenue between Pleasant and Hunter Court will be temporarily removed on Monday morning so crews can safely remove the trees. Flaggers will be onsite helping to direct traffic during these operations. Once the tree removals are completed, parking and normal traffic flow along Oak Park Avenue between Lake and Pleasant will be restored. Favorable weather conditions this week have allowed for pavement saw cutting and deliveries of pipe, structures, equipment and other materials related to the start of sewer main construction next week. The contractor will have two crews on site installing new sewer main on Oak Park Avenue from Randolph Street to Pleasant and from Lake to Ontario Street.

Austin Boulevard lane closure planned for Feb. 18 – Union Pacific is planning to close the southbound lane on Austin Boulevard at the viaduct between North Boulevard and South Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The closure is related to Union Pacific’s ongoing repairs to viaducts in Oak Park. Southbound traffic on Austin will be detoured to Central Avenue in Chicago while the work is ongoing. Motorists are encouraged to consider alternate routes and anticipate delays if traveling through this area next Wednesday.

Sewer televising – The contractor started televising sewers at locations planned for this year’s upcoming street resurfacing project. The contractor will also be televising locations on South Boulevard and Chicago Avenue. No parking signs will be posted at these locations later this week. Partial lane closures are anticipated while work is in progress.

Traffic signal improvements – The contractor spent the week repairing wires, underground conduit and the traffic signal cabinet at the intersection of Oak Park Avenue and Garfield Street. Once these key repairs are made, crews will progress with the original project scope and begin replacing the signal heads at this intersection. 

The Village’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience is encouraging community members to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend. Whether you are a seasoned birder or just enjoy the view from your kitchen window, you can help scientists understand global bird populations by spending just 15 minutes tracking the birds in your yard or local park. The Bird Count starts today (Friday, Feb. 13) and continues through Monday, Feb. 16. Click here for details about how to participate.

Cook County Leak Repair, a program offering free plumbing repairs and fixture upgrades to help suburban Cook County residents stop leaks and save money on water bills, has reopened enrollment and is now accepting new applications. Cook County Leak Repair can help residents with leaks from bathroom/kitchen faucets, showerheads and toilets. The program is available to income-eligible residents who own or rent their homes in suburban Cook County and have old or leaking plumbing. Spots are limited, so residents are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible.

Head over to the Hemingway Business District to celebrate Valentine’s Day during its annual Tokens of Love event. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 14, the business district will host its signature celebration, inviting residents and visitors to explore the neighborhood’s unique shops, restaurants and cultural landmarks. The event features family-friendly activities, exclusive local discounts and a chance to pick up complimentary tokens of love from participating businesses. Click here for more information.