Oak Park’s inaugural National Small Business Week celebration was a resounding success. Attendance and engagement by current and prospective Oak Park businesses exceeded expectations (and sometimes available chairs) with approximately 120 attendees across four events, demonstrating local entrepreneurs’ desire to reinvest in their operations, the strength and potential of economic and educational partnerships in our community, and the Village’s commitment to the local small business community. Attendees engaged with speakers on topics including resources for women and minority owned businesses, funding and finance preparation and best practices, and key considerations and contacts for starting a new business in Oak Park. At Dominican University, students and faculty presented on top AI tools for small businesses and other resources for local entrepreneurs at the university. Special thanks to the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce, Dominican University and the Oak Park Public Library for partnering and hosting events. Please keep your eyes peeled for future small business programming. In the meantime, anyone interested in opening or growing a business in Oak Park is encouraged to contact the Economic Vitality team at economicvitality@oak-park.us.

The Neighborhood Services Department is launching Canopy Connection, a new Village program that supports residents in organizing neighborhood groups, building connections and creating opportunities to bring neighbors together. Through the program, neighborhood groups can access guidance, resources and support to help strengthen communication, increase engagement and build a greater sense of community. Residents are encouraged to visit www.oak-park.us/CanopyConnection to learn more and get started.

Fire Chief JT Terry has been appointed to a specialized working group with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Chief Terry is one of 15 national fire service executives and external lithium-ion subject matter experts selected to serve on the IAFC Lithium-Ion Medical Issues Working Group. This group is focused on better defining the scope of lithium-ion fire incidents, including associated firefighter/EMS and civilian medical concerns, as well as identifying gaps in current guidance and data. The group will draw on expertise in fire operations, medicine, toxicology, industrial hygiene, public health and research to address current challenges and prepare for emerging risks related to this evolving energy source.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Village and its Pick Oak Park initiative is proud to highlight an upcoming community event titled “Healing Through Humor,” a therapist-led comedy showcase taking place at the ComedyPlex on May 28. This unique program brings together local talent, including mental health professionals and comedians, for an evening that blends storytelling, humor and connection in a meaningful way. The event underscores an important message: There is more than one path to supporting mental health and well-being. By creating space for laughter alongside reflection, “Healing Through Humor” is striving to help reduce stigma, foster open conversation and remind the community that healing can take many forms. Residents are encouraged to join this Village-supported event by bringing friends and family to take part in a night that celebrates both community and care. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.

The Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce and Village staff helped cut the ribbon and welcome Vaani15 Eyebrow Threading Salon to the community on Wednesday. Owner Vaani Limbachiya has been helping clients feel beautiful for nearly 20 years, offering a wide range of services beyond eyebrow threading, including waxing, facials and temporary henna tattoo. Community members can visit the salon at 6807 North Ave. (a half-block west of Oak Park Avenue) or check the business out on Instagram at @vaani15salon.

The Village Clerk’s Office hosted the second annual Civic Engagement Festival on Sunday at Village Hall. Held in celebration of Public Service Recognition Week and Professional Municipal Clerks Week, the free, family-friendly event brought together residents, community partners and local leaders for an afternoon of learning, connection and fun. It included youth mock government meeting and a Clerk’s Conversation featuring Village Clerk Christina Waters and Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon on voting access, elections and civic participation. Click here to watch a recording of the Clerk’s Conversation. Click here to watch a recording of the youth mock government meeting.

Renew the Avenue update – The electrical contractor for the Renew the Avenue project is moving to the south block between Pleasant Street and South Boulevard next week to begin removals of the existing light poles and lighting system. This will involve installing temporary light poles to maintain lighting levels on the street while construction of the new lighting improvements are underway. Water main installation from North Boulevard to Lake Street on Oak Park Avenue is wrapping up this week. The contractor will be pressure testing and sampling the new main for water quality standards next week. The south crew will continue water main installation on South Boulevard this week and start pressure testing and sampling the new main next week prior to beginning new water main service installations once all testing requirements have been completed and approved by the IEPA and the Village. The crew will also complete some storm structure installations on Oak Park Avenue while waiting for the water main testing approvals next week. A new concrete crew will be onsite later this week and next week patching the curb, sidewalks and roadway sections that were removed for sewer and water main installation on the outer blocks from Randolph Street to Pleasant and from Lake to Ontario Street. Roadway restoration on the outer two blocks will continue for the next few weeks. AT&T remains onsite installing new utility vaults on Oak Park Avenue as part of its infrastructure upgrades. Union Pacific Railroad crews will be onsite in the coming weeks repairing steel girder sections on the bridge that have been damaged over the years from vehicle strikes.

Alley Improvement Project – Sewer Improvements were recently completed in the alley between the 500 blocks of S. Oak Park Ave. and S. Grove Ave. The sewer crews expect to complete the sewer installations in the alley between the 300 blocks of S. Oak Park Ave. and S. Euclid Ave. by the end of the week. The alley between the 300 blocks of N. Humphrey and N. Austin Blvd. is expected to be opened to vehicular traffic by the end of the week. Garage apron replacements will be constructed soon in the alley between the 900 blocks of N. Taylor Ave. and Hayes Ave. This alley is planned to be reopened to traffic on May 13. Concrete removals began in the alley between the 200 blocks of S. East and Wesley this week. The project is progressing on schedule, and all alleys are expected to be completed by July.

The Office of Sustainability & Resilience is seeking input from community members as it develops a Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure Plan. An online survey is now available at www.engageoakpark.com/green-infrastructure. Feedback gathered through the survey will help shape the strategies the Village adopts to expand biodiversity and green infrastructure in Oak Park.

The Public Works Department is hosting a Touch-a-Truck event on Tuesday, May 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. Residents of all ages are invited to visit the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., to enjoy light refreshments and get up close to some of the equipment and vehicles used to keep Oak Park running every day. The event is being held in celebration of National Public Works Week (May 17-23) and this year’s theme, “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community.”

The Public Health Department is hosting a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at Village Hall. Sign up here to reserve your spot. The blood collected during the blood drive will help neighbors who have been in a car accident, are having surgery, receiving cancer treatments, experiencing medical issues after giving birth and a variety of other medical situations.

The Public Health Department published its quarterly epidemiology report this week. The report is intended to share the latest trends and news in communicable disease for Oak Park and the surrounding community. Click here to read the report. For more information, contact health@oak-park.us or 708.358.5480.

The Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across the state in taking part in the annual Cop on a Rooftop event to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. Stop by between 5 a.m. and noon on Friday, May 15 at the Dunkin' Donuts at 6820 Roosevelt Rd. to lend your support. Find more information and donate online at support.soill.org/team/821078.

Artists spent the week installing sculptures around town as part of the Oak Park Area Arts Council’s annual Sculpture Walk. Matthew Hoffman contributed this piece titled “You Got This,” which is on display in front of the Lake Theatre. This year’s Sculpture Walk is being held in Downtown Oak Park and the Oak Park Arts District. The Sculpture Walk officially kicks off as part of What’s Blooming on Harrison on May 30 and continues through next spring. For more information about the Arts Council and its programs, visit www.oakparkareaartscouncil.org.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), which treats wastewater and manages stormwater for Oak Park and the rest of Cook County, is hosting an open house for all ages between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, 6001 W. Pershing Rd. in Cicero. Visitors can take an abbreviated tour of each plant, participate in interactive activities with MWRD staff and take home free oak tree saplings, milkweed and native wildflower seeds. Guests may also drop off unwanted medicines as part of the MWRD’s collection campaign to help keep pharmaceuticals out of local water resources. The last tour starts at 2 p.m. Those interested in a more in‑depth experience are welcome to register for a full in‑person tour or virtual tour. For more information, visit www.mwrd.org or call 312.751.6633.

Explore Oak Park and Beyond will be hosting a workshop for community stakeholders in partnership with Public Relations agency, Zapwater Communications, on Wednesday, May 20 at 4 p.m. at the Carleton of Oak Park hotel. The workshop will cover how to effectively incorporate the Explore Oak Park and Beyond brand into business' marketing efforts, best practices for collaborating with the team and what to expect when hosting media and influencers. For more information, or to RSVP, please email annie@oakparkandbeyond.org.