Oak Park Considers Free Holiday Parking, New Restrictions on Chicago Avenue

Oak Park Village Board members on Monday will decide whether to allow additional free parking in its downtown districts and south Oak Park during the holiday shopping season. 

An ordinance amendment would allow for up to two hours of free metered parking on weekends during the holiday shopping season in the downtown districts and south Oak Park, beginning the day after Thanksgiving, and running every Saturday until Dec. 25. 

The average daily revenue in the Avenue, Holley Court and Lake and Forest garages is $2,778. The new ordinance would result in a $16,668 revenue loss for the village and $3,000 in administrative costs for the current promotion of six free days, according to the agenda document. 

Replace 1-hour restriction with 15-minute restrictions on Chicago avenue

The village will also consider a recommendation to replace a 1-hour 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday through Saturday) restriction outside the businesses at 321-329 Chicago Ave. with a 15-minute restriction from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week. 

The owner of the 321-329 Chicago Ave. building is proposing the replacement because patrons of the Nail Spa, a new tenant, "monopolize" the parking spaces for extended periods throughout the day, according to the agenda document. 

The building contains for tenants, The Cat Practice, Jinny's Cleaners, Nail Spa and Domino's Pizza. 

The Village Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at Village Hall.