Four new probationary police officers were sworn in during a ceremony at Village Hall on Monday. New officers Bobby Anderson, Steffen Canino, Isaiah Gonzalez and Jakub Kmiecik were joined by family, friends and other guests as they took the oath with Village Clerk Christina Waters. The officers will soon begin their training at the police academy. In total, 14 OPPD officers have been added in 2026, bringing the number of sworn personnel in the department to 95. The Police Department also welcomed Payton Kinder as a new Community Service Officer this week. Payton completed her bachelor’s degree this spring in Criminal Justice and Criminology with a minor in Psychology of Crime and Justice at Loyola University Chicago.

Last week, four Oak Park Police Department probationary police officers celebrated their graduation from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) at the College of DuPage. Police Chief Shatonya Johnson was on hand for the occasion alongside PPOs Abigail Jones, Tyrin Bates, Margarito Ramos and Austin Romero as they marked the next step in their law enforcement journeys. Bates earned the class’s Tim Jones Physical Fitness Award for outstanding achievement and top performance in that area.

A series of community information sessions were announced this week where residents will be able to ask questions and provide feedback about Shape Oak Park, the Village’s ongoing effort to update Oak Park’s zoning code to allow more missing middle housing and single-family homes. The Village’s Shape Oak Park team prepared draft zoning recommendations earlier this summer, and the Village is seeking feedback from the community before the recommendations are submitted to the Plan Commission and Village Board for a vote this fall. Six community information meetings are planned during September. In the meantime, residents can explore the Village’s new Zoning Comparison Tool to see what exactly could change in their neighborhood and submit questions to the project team.

The Village recently awarded approximately $1.5 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for Program Year 2026 to support programs and services that strengthen the community and improve the quality of life for Oak Park residents. Through this funding, the Village is supporting the important work of the following community nonprofit partners: Beyond Hunger, UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago, Housing Forward, Community Support Services, Northwest Housing Partnership and Way Back Inn. In addition to supporting local nonprofit organizations, CDBG funds will also be used to advance Village-led initiatives, including infrastructure improvements through the Public Works Department and housing programs administered through the Neighborhood Services Department. Together, these investments help address critical community needs, expand access to essential services, support housing stability and improve neighborhoods throughout Oak Park.

Business Services has officially licensed 100 new businesses in Oak Park thus far in 2026. Every new business represents an investment in the community and brings something unique: from new places to shop and dine to new services, experiences and opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Together, these businesses help create the diverse and dynamic character that makes Oak Park such a special place to live, work and visit. Now is the perfect time to shop, dine and explore. Whether you’re trying a new restaurant, discovering a neighborhood shop or supporting a local service provider, every visit and purchase helps strengthen the local economy and supports the people who are investing in Oak Park. Help us welcome and support Oak Park’s newest businesses! Check out the full list of all 100 new businesses licensed this year at www.pickoakpark.com/newbusiness.

The community on Wednesday celebrated the opening of the new Pete’s Fresh Market at 668 Madison St. This is the second Pete's location in Oak Park. The 55,000 square foot store is stocked with fresh produce, bakery treats, international favorites, grocery essentials, a hot bar, a salad bar and more. Pete's Fresh Market operates 21 stores in the Chicago metropolitan area, including its first Oak Park store at 259 Lake St.

Some Oak Park households are receiving letters indicating a change in their participation in the Village's community choice electricity aggregation program. Village Sustainability officials are reminding residents that whether they are added or removed from the program, a few things always stay the same:

• There is NEVER any change to your electricity rate because of the Village's aggregation program.
• There will be no interruption in your electricity service.
• ComEd will continue to be the entity billing electricity use and is who you should contact for any service issues. 

Visit www.oak-park.us/aggregation for more information about community choice electricity aggregation and answers to frequently asked questions about the program.

Nominations are being accepted through Oct. 9 for Oak Park's Preservation Awards, which are chosen each year by the Village's Historic Preservation Commission. Nomination categories include restoration, rehabilitation, adaptive use, additions/new construction and stewardship. Visit www.oak-park.us/preservationawards for more information and an online nomination form. Find more information about all of the Village's annual stewardship awards at www.oak-park.us/communityawards.

Resurfacing project – The roadway was milled this week on Erie Street between Elmwood Avenue and Taylor Avenue. Milling on Van Buren Street between East Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue and along Augusta Street between Harlem Avenue and Oak Park Avenue will begin soon. During milling, roads will remain open, but intersections are frequently blocked for short intervals to allow the milling machine and asphalt trucks to safely traverse the construction area. The first of two layers of asphalt should be placed next week at the Erie and Van Buren locations, with the Augusta location anticipated soon after. Intersections may be closed for an hour at a time during paving. Other updates related to the resurfacing project include:

• Manholes are being adjusted at both Iowa Street locations and on Scoville Avenue between South Boulevard and Washington Boulevard and on Randolph Street between East Avenue and Scoville.
• The removal crew will continue removing sidewalks, curb and pavement at both Iowa Street. locations and at the Scoville and Randoph locations. The crew will then move to Carpenter Avenue between Harrison Street and Madison Street and Monroe Avenue between Harlem and Grove Avenue.
• Concrete will soon be poured on Forest Avenue between Le Moyne Parkway and North Avenue, Euclid Avenue between Division Street and Greenfield Street, Lombard Avenue between Iowa and Division and both Iowa Street locations.
• Saw cutting is expected to be completed next week at all remaining locations.

Renew the Avenue project – Structural soil placement and base course grading along the sidewalk areas will wrap up this week between Pleasant Street and South Boulevard. Concrete crews will be back onsite next week placing new sidewalk base course, curbs and roadway patching. Further to the north, excavation for the new concrete roadway base will begin later next week between North Boulevard and Lake Street on Oak Park Avenue once AT&T completes its work along North Boulevard. Other Renew the Avenue project updates include:

• The lighting and conduit installation continues along South Boulevard and to the north towards Lake Street. The electrical contractor will begin conduit installation at Hunter Court next week.
• AT&T will be onsite next week installing its last new communications manhole at the corner of North Boulevard and Oak Park Avenue.
• Union Pacific continues with its concrete parapet repairs on North Boulevard next week.

Water and sewer project – The contractor began replacing water services on the 1000 and 1100 block of S. Scoville Ave. this week. Water service replacements will continue into next week. Sanitary service installations were completed this week on the 1200 block of N. Euclid Ave. The new water main is currently being tested ahead of water service transfers. Over the next week, Village staff and the contractor will conduct home assessments for residents having their lead service line replaced as part of the project. Water service replacements are expected to start in approximately two weeks.

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) installations – The contractor completed the installation of the remaining signs on Monday, and all RRFBs have been activated.

Sidewalk repair project – The contractor began replacements in the southeast quadrant of the Village this week. Crews completed most of the replacements located on the east side of the street and will start with the replacements on the west side of the street next.

As Housing Forward prepares to renovate its space at 211 N. Oak Park Ave., the organization is hosting The Next Chapter Renovation Sale on Sat., Aug 29 from 8 a.m. to noon. The event is open to the public with several featured items including paintings and art, lamps, wood furniture, antiques and more. Click here for more information and to preview select items.