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 Village seeks feedback via engagement survey
The Village is developing a Community Engagement Playbook to help guide how the organization communicates and gathers community input on projects, programs, policy decisions and other initiatives that impact Oak Park residents. As part of this process, Village officials want to hear directly from the community about what is working well, where improvements are needed and how residents prefer to receive information and participate in Village initiatives. Take our survey, which is available on the Village's Engage Oak Park website. Community feedback will help inform the design of the Playbook and future engagement practices across Village government.
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APIDA Kapwa celebration set for this Saturday
Get ready to celebrate culture, community and connection at Oak Park’s Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Kapwa! Join us from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, May 30 at Village Hall for this fun and vibrant celebration of Kapwa – a Filipino value of togetherness and shared identity. Anyone planning to attend is encouraged to reserve a spot so organizers can have an accurate count for the free, family-friendly event featuring great food, music and more.
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Village launches new AI-powered digital agent
The Village recently formed a new partnership with Granicus, a global leader in customer experience technologies for government, to launch an AI-powered chatbot on its official website. This new digital assistant is designed to provide residents with instant, accurate and easy-to-understand answers to their questions — anytime, day or night. The chatbot is available at www.oak-park.us. Named Oak Parker, the agent appears near the bottom right corner of the site, and it works on any device type and browser.
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Go Green Days continue at Oak Park Farmers' Market
Learn about sustainability organizations and initiatives in Oak Park during Go Green Days at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market. This eco-focused event takes place while the Market is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, May 30 in the Pilgrim Church parking lot at 460 Lake St. Market officials also encourage customers to go plastic free by bringing a large reusable tote for all of their Market goods, smaller containers for delicate items like berries, and a mesh or cloth bags for items like tomatoes and smaller vegetables.
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Village Hall closing at noon on Fridays during summer
Village Hall will be closing at noon on Fridays during June, July, August and Sept. 4 as part of an initiative designed to provide Village employees more flexibility during the summer. The shortened summer hours begin Friday, June 5 and continue every Friday through Sept. 4. Anyone needing to conduct in-person business on Fridays during June, July and August is encouraged to do so between 9 a.m. and noon. Residents are also reminded that many routine municipal services that do not require a visit to Village Hall are available online via links at www.oak-park.us/onlineservices. Services provided by sworn public safety staff in the Village’s Fire and Police Departments will not be impacted by this seasonal change.
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Highlighting access to mental health support in Oak Park
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Village is highlighting community partners that strengthen access to care and support for residents across Oak Park. Organizations such as Infant Welfare Society Children's Clinic, PCC Community Wellness Center, Mosaic Counseling and Wellness, Thrive Counseling Center and NAMI Metro Suburban serve as vital connectors to mental health, wellness, crisis response and family support resources for individuals of all ages. The Village’s E.C.H.O. team also helps residents navigate available support and connect with services that meet their needs. Whether someone is seeking counseling, substance use resources, or assistance identifying the next step, E.C.H.O. works to ensure that support remains accessible, coordinated and community centered. For more information, visit www.oak-park.us/ECHO or contact the E.C.H.O. team at 708.358.5460 or echo@oak-park.us.
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Building owners beware of third-party benchmarking solicitation
The Village’s Office of Sustainability & Resilience is aware that marketing letters were recently sent to building owners from third-party companies indicating that the building should sign up for a paid service to comply with the Village's Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance. The Village is reminding building owners that all official communication regarding the Village’s Benchmarking Ordinance will come directly from the Village. The Village does not work with third-party companies to administer the benchmarking program, nor are building owners required to hire or work with a third party to comply with benchmarking requirements. While some private companies may offer benchmarking-related services, participation in those services is entirely optional and is not affiliated with the Village. Anyone with questions regarding the legitimacy of a communication related to benchmarking compliance is encouraged to contact the Village directly by emailing sustainability@oak-park.us.
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