The Public Works Center is always abuzz with activity, but it was not just the human workers making the noise this summer. The real buzz was coming from the 90,000 or so honeybees that are at home on the roof of the sprawling structure on South Boulevard at Lombard Avenue.
Seen as an extension of...
With the new school year now underway, Oak Park police are urging motorists to stay alert — especially when driving in school zones. Motorists need to be focused and avoid distractions like talking on cell phones, police say, as well as come to a complete stop at intersections and not block...
Activities planned for Township DayOak Park will join townships across the state in celebrating Illinois Township Day on Wed., Sept. 21 with family friendly events designed to spread the word about the many community services offered by these local resources. Residents are invited to visit the Oak...
Paper shredding…Help prevent identity theft by shredding documents containing personal information at a free recycling event scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon, Sat., Sept. 10, at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. Each household is limited to two bags or small boxes. Only items with personal...
Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 has hired Joylynn Pruitt, Ed.D., as interim superintendent for the 2016/2017 school year. Dr. Pruitt fills the position vacated by Steven Isoye, now superintendent of Niles Township High School District 219. Prior to relocating to Oak Park, Dr....
A licensed plumber who lives in Oak Park is needed to serve on the Building Codes Advisory Commission, nine citizen volunteers who work with the Village Chief Building Official and advise the Village Board on code amendments and interpretations, and serve as the Building Codes Board of Appeals....
Volunteers needed…Oak Parkers can participate in the annual Frank Lloyd Wright Races without breaking a sweat and still get a race t-shirt by volunteering to help out at the popular event. Volunteers are needed for packet pick-up, gear check and course security for the Oct. 23 races. To volunteer,...
Oak Parkers of all ages can get up close to the equipment and talk to the firefighter/paramedics that help keep the community safe at an open house scheduled for Sat., Oct. 8. The main fire station at 100 N. Euclid Ave. will be open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. for tours, fire safety...
Oak Park ambassadors are needed to help with Open House Chicago, the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s annual free, behind-the-scenes look at many of the city’s great places and spaces that are rarely, if ever, open to the public. Some 200-plus locations are officially signed up for the sixth-...
Street crossing goes hi-tech…Motorists and pedestrians on Chicago Avenue will soon notice a new type of street crossing signal at Harvey Avenue. The high-intensity activated crosswalk beacon, or HAWK, will give Chicago Avenue motorists a red light when activated by a pedestrian button or electronic...
Oak Parkers planning to vote in the 2016 Presidential Election on Nov. 8 are invited to browse the links at www.cookcountyclerk.com for a wide range of useful information. Web-browsing visitors can register to vote, change their address, find their polling place and see a sample ballot specific to...
A changing array of produce appears at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market as the season winds down toward Oct. 31, when stone soup announces the last market of the year. Most vendors now accept credit cards, as well as supplemental food assistance Link cards. Many vendors also accept the WIC and Senior...
Oak Park property owners planning a fall project can get the permitting process underway online at www.oak-park.us/villageview. The online system offers users an intuitive, widget-driven website portal for conducting a wide range of property related Village business via a computer, tablet or mobile...
Property owners who sign a pledge to adopt natural lawn care practices can request a special yard sign to let the community know about their commitment to eliminating synthetic chemicals from the environment. Pledge forms and signs are available from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at...
As the flu season approaches, local public health officials are reminding residents that shots are recommended for everyone older than 6 months. Flu vaccine is offered at numerous commercial pharmacies, grocery stores and other retail sites in the Oak Park area. Most of these sites accept private...
The Village has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2016 budget from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This award, which the Village has won multiple times, is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant...
While mosquitoes are likely to become less active as summer heat diminishes, the threat of West Nile Virus could continue as late as mid-October. Public health officials urge residents not to become complacent and to continue taking precautions to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes. The most...
Payments for many municipal services and fines may be made by check or money order at Village Hall, 123 Madison St., anytime via drop boxes — one outside by the parking lot and one just inside the south entrance by the stairway to the Police Department. Checks should be accompanied by any support...
Cable television subscribers can learn about Village government and life in the community by tuning in to VOP-TV. Oak Park’s municipal television station is available to Comcast subscribers on channel six and AT&T subscribers on channel 99. Regular Village Board meetings are broadcast live at 7...
Oak Park veteran Anthony Ambrose has been named the new Chief of Police. Ambrose, who has served as Deputy Police Chief since 2005, succeeds Rick C. Tanksley who retired Sept. 1 after more than 32 years on the force.
In appointing Ambrose to the post, Village Manager Cara Pavlicek cited his...
In announcing his decision to retire after more than 32 years on the force, former Police Chief Rick C. Tanksley said, “Choosing to retire from the Oak Park Police Department was one of the toughest decisions of my career. Working for the Village is so much more than a job. Oak Park is my hometown...
