On Wednesday, more than 60 residents of Heritage House Apartments at 201 Lake St. gathered for a community picnic to enjoy a meal, connect with neighbors, meet Village staff and learn about resources available through Oak Park Township Senior Services and the Canopy Connection Neighborhood Registry Program. The event brought together staff from Neighborhood Services, the Police Department and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, along with Township representatives and members of the Village Board. Special thanks to Village President Vicki Scaman, Trustee Jim Taglia and State Representative La Shawn Ford for joining the celebration and showing their support for the Heritage House community.

Members of the Village’s E.C.H.O. team and the Police and Fire departments participated in the latest E.C.H.O. Exchange on Aug. 28 at Blackout Baking Co. The E.C.H.O. Exchange provides residents with an informal opportunity to connect with Village staff, ask questions, learn about available resources and services, and help strengthen relationships between residents and Village departments. Join us for the next E.C.H.O. Exchange from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18 at Addis Café, 801 S. Oak Park Ave.

The Office of Sustainability & Resilience launched the new Climate Ready Oak Park (CROP) Progress Hub this week. The CROP Progress Hub makes it easier to see how Oak Park is advancing its climate and sustainability goals. The interactive hub highlights key sustainability-related metrics, accomplishments and ongoing initiatives across the Climate Ready Oak Park plan. Explore the hub at www.oak-park.us/CROPprogresshub to learn more about Oak Park’s climate action and see how the community is moving toward a more sustainable and resilient future. The CROP Progress Hub was highlighted during the Climate Ready Progress Report and Community Conversation co-hosted by the Village and Oak Park Public Library on Wednesday at the main library.

In celebration of the recently adopted Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure Plan, the Village is giving away free parkway seed packets! Because parkways represent a vital opportunity to expand biodiversity and green infrastructure in Oak Park, the Village is making it easier than ever for residents to transform these spaces into thriving, climate-resilient native gardens. The seed mix includes native species ideal for parkway conditions and compliant with the Parkway Planting Ordinance. Seed packets can be picked up during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Limit one per person, while supplies last. Learn more about parkway planting guidelines and resources at www.oak-park.us/nativegardening.

The Village is launching a 35-gallon pilot program for garbage and compost services, offering residents of properties with five or fewer units served by LRS the opportunity to obtain a smaller garbage bin at a monthly rate of $20.33 and/or a smaller compost bin at a monthly rate of $10.80. LRS is providing 100 garbage bins and 100 compost bins that are 35 gallons as part of the pilot program, which will be evaluated in 2027 to determine success and possible next steps. Anyone interested in participating can find more information and sign up at www.oak-park.us/35gallon. The initiative came about after the Village’s 2025 Residential Waste Characterization Study showed that Oak Parkers generate significantly less garbage per person compared to national and suburban Cook County averages.

The Oak Park Police Department's Residential Beat Officers are hosting a virtual neighborhood meeting for all zones at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. RBOs plan to discuss crime statistics and crime prevention tips while getting feedback from residents on issues in their neighborhoods. Representatives from the Village's Neighborhood Partnerships Division will also be on hand to discuss Canopy Connection, Oak Park’s neighborhood registry program, including the benefits of participating in an existing neighborhood group or starting a new group. Staff will also share a brief overview of upcoming events and opportunities for residents to participate in Shape Oak Park community engagement sessions regarding proposed changes to the Village's zoning code. More information, including the link to join the meeting, is available at www.oak-park.us/RBO926.

Oak Park's current zoning map has more than a dozen districts with confusing, overlapping rules. Right now, five of Oak Park's eight residential districts only allow single-family homes, even though duplexes and small apartment buildings already exist there as non-conforming uses. The Village’s Shape Oak Park initiative proposes clearer standards that make it easier for residents, developers and Village staff to figure out what’s allowed on any property, while keeping the setbacks and standards that fit each neighborhood. Oak Park residents are encouraged to check out the Village's Zoning Comparison Tool to see what could change on their block. Visit www.engageoakpark.com/shape for more information about the project and details about upcoming public engagement sessions planned during September.

The structure located at 1239 N. Taylor severely damaged in a fire earlier this year is being demolished. Demolition of the property is currently underway starting with the southern portion of the building. The demolition is being completed by the property owner, who received a Village demolition permit on Aug. 25, 2026, after paying necessary permitting fees. The property owner also has obtained the required Cook County demolition permit. This outcome is the result of the diligent efforts of Assistant Village Attorney Rasheda Jackson, who has handled the demolition case on the Village’s behalf from the beginning.

Looking for an opportunity to donate blood? The Oak Park Public Health Department and American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Village Hall. One donation can save up to three lives. Click here to sign up to donate. Make sure to eat a good meal and hydrate well before donating. More information is at www.oak-park.us/blooddrive.

For the third year in a row, the Village is joining communities around the globe in celebrating Park(ing) Day and transforming on-street parking spaces into temporary green spaces to showcase sustainability and economic vitality while advocating for safer, greener and more equitable streets. Community members are invited to stop by between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18 as parking spaces in front of 127 N. Marion St. in Downtown Oak Park will be repurposed into a temporary, park-like community gathering spot for children and families with this year's theme of "Art & Play." More information is at www.oak-park.us/parkingday26.

Oak Parkers will be able to safely dispose of sensitive documents and foam products with the No. 6 symbol at a free paper shredding and foam recycling event scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. Residents can drop off foam products with the No. 6 symbol, which are not accepted as part of the Village's single-stream recycling program. Please collect foam products in a clear, translucent bag. For paper shredding, each household can bring two bags or small boxes of paper items with personal information such as canceled checks and documents containing credit card numbers, social security numbers and medical information. Click here for more information.

Oak Park residents no longer need to wait until the Village’s bi-annual paper shredding events to drop off items with personal information for shredding. New paper shredding drop-off bins are now available in the Police Department lobby in the lower level at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. and at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. The Police Department lobby is accessible 24 hours and the drop-off bin at the Public Works Center can be accessed during business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents are welcome to slide canceled checks, documents containing credit card numbers, social security numbers and medical information into the secure bins. R4 Services, the information management company that processes shredding collected at the Village’s spring and fall shredding events, will regularly collect items from the drop-off bin locations and provide the Village with a certificate of destruction when the material is shredded. For more information, contact publicworks@oak-park.us or 708.358.5700.

The Village periodically auctions off vehicles from its fleet that are no longer in use through the Public Surplus website. A 2017 Dodge Charger former Police squad car is now up for auction online through Sept. 14. Click here for information about all the Village’s ongoing vehicle auctions.

Starting tonight, overnight parking restrictions will not be enforced on most Oak Park streets for Labor Day weekend. Overnight on-street parking will be lifted at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 and resume at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. All other parking regulations remain in effect, including restrictions in zones reserved for permit holders, daytime posted restrictions and regulations related to traffic and public safety. The holiday parking schedule for all of 2026 is posted at www.oak-park.us/holidayparking.

Village Hall closes at noon today (Sept. 4) for one final summer Friday and will again be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day before reopening at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Refuse, recycling and yard waste collection services will be delayed by one day next week because of the holiday. Regular Village Hall business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Should an incident that doesn't quite rise to the level of a 911 emergency occur when Village Hall is closed, residents are encouraged to call the Police Department non-emergency number 708.386.3800 for assistance. A wide range of services are available online around the clock.

The Emergency Preparedness Division of the Public Health Department is joining partners across the country in reminding everyone to prepare for when emergencies strike during National Preparedness Month this September. This includes being in the know during emergency situations. Community members are encouraged to download the FEMA App to get emergency safety alerts and resources. The Village also sends out alerts regarding emergency situations impacting the area. Sign up to receive notifications directly from the Village by clicking here..

At the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting Wednesday, a variance to allow an interior (basement) Accessory Dwelling Unit in a legal nonconforming two-flat was approved for 535 S. East Ave. The ZBA also recommended approval of a special use permit for a drive-through facility associated with a proposed financial institution at 44 Madison St. and approved a variance request to allow one of the two proposed drive-through lanes without a bail-out lane.

The Community Development Citizen Advisory Commission (CDCAC) Partnership Awards recognize individuals, businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to advancing community development, housing stability, economic opportunity and quality of life for Oak Park residents. The awards celebrate the partnerships, leadership and community investment that strengthen Oak Park and improve outcomes particularly for low- and moderate-income households. Find more information and submit a nomination at www.oak-park.us/CDCACaward. For information about all of the Village's annual stewardship awards, visit www.oak-park.us/communityawards.

The Village is joining its community partners in presenting the 2026 Suicide Awareness Summit on Sept. 25 at the Hyatt Lodge Conference Center in Oak Brook. All are invited to take part in this day of learning, connection and action focused on suicide prevention and mental wellness. The summit will feature expert-led sessions on topics including navigating grief after suicide, men of color and suicide prevention, clinical pathways for suicide prevention and other emerging behavioral health issues. Find more information and register to attend at cmhb-oakpark.my.canva.site/2026summit.

Water and sewer project – The contractor continued replacing water services this week on Scoville Avenue. All water services are planned to be replaced by next week. After all services are transferred, the contractor will make the final connections for the new water main at Harvard Street and Fillmore Street, concluding the water main work for this portion of the project. The remaining catch basins for the sewer will also be installed in the coming weeks. The contractor also began replacing water services on Euclid Avenue this week and will continue through the week of Sept. 14. Similarly, after all water services have been transferred over, the remaining water main work in this project location will be completed shortly after.  

Renew the Avenue update – Brick paver installation will begin next week on the south block of Oak Park Avenue between Pleasant Street and South Boulevard. Crews spent this week preparing for both roadway and sidewalk paver installation on this block. Other Renew the Project updates include:  

• The lighting and traffic signal conduit installation will continue this week along South Boulevard at Oak Park Avenue while the electrical improvements for the project continue to head north.
• The roadway excavation crew is back onsite this week excavating along the north block between North Boulevard and Lake Street for the new concrete roadway base course. 
• Concrete work along South Boulevard and at the Pleasant Street intersection will be ongoing as crews continue to remove the old curbs, sidewalk and the plaza area at the southeast corner of Oak Park Avenue and South Boulevard in preparation for the placement of new curbs and concrete sidewalk base.
• AT&T continues installing its last communication manhole at the corner of North Boulevard and Oak Park Avenue. This work should be wrapped up by the end of next week.
• Union Pacific is expected to complete its concrete parapet repairs along North Boulevard east of Oak Park Avenue next week.

Resurfacing project – Sewer repairs on Augusta Street between Harlem Avenue and Oak Park Avenue and on Euclid Avenue between Division Street and Greenfield Street are re-starting this week and will continue through next week. Longitudinal joint sealant will be applied to the first layer of asphalt this week on Marion Street between Augusta and Division, Augusta between Harlem and Oak Park Avenue, Grove Avenue between Chicago Avenue and Augusta, Erie Street between Elmwood Avenue and Taylor Avenue and on Van Buren Street between East Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue. Manholes will then be raised at the Erie and Van Buren locations next week. The final asphalt surface is being placed at the Marion and Grove locations this week. Next week, existing asphalt will be removed on Forest Avenue between LeMoyne Parkway and North Avenue, Euclid between Division and Greenfield, Lombard Avenue between Iowa Street and Division, and both Iowa project locations, with the first layer of asphalt to then be placed late the following week. Finally, concrete crews will continue work on Carpenter Avenue between Harrison Street and Madison Street, Monroe Street between Harlem and Oak Park Avenue, and both Clinton Avenue project locations next Tuesday.

Sidewalk project – The contractor completed the sidewalk replacements early this week. Crews will be back to complete remaining punch list work before the end of October. The angle cut contractor plans to start work next week and will be similarly focused in the southeast quadrant of the Village. Sidewalk angle cutting is a quick procedure with the process of grinding down one sidewalk slab taking about 10-20 minutes.

Bike boulevard project – This year’s bike boulevard project is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Sept. 8. The contractor, Marking Specialists, will begin installing bike boulevard pavement markings on Kenilworth Avenue between Chicago Avenue and North Avenue.

Congratulations to Oak Parker Nick Bensen, who won the August monthly drawing for $250 in Biker Bucks that he can spend at participating businesses as part of the Bike to the Biz campaign to support businesses along Oak Park Avenue during the ongoing Renew the Avenue construction project. Twice the number of entries were submitted in August vs. July, and entrants spent on average more than $200 across the more than 30 participating shops and eateries in the Hemingway District. Two more winners will be announced on the first of each month through November. To participate, be sure to keep your purchase receipts from participating businesses, spend a minimum of $10 at four different retailers and enter to win the monthly drawings.