Park Board Suspends Consideration of Shared Facility at Village Hall

Decision, shared with District 97 and village officials, does not rule out consideration of other options at some point.

The Park District of Oak Park has suspended exploring a shared administrative facility with Elementary District 97 in a village hall parking lot, officials said Friday. That doesn't rule out the possibility of looking at another location for a shared administrative facility with the elementary system, park district officials said. The park board had a heart-to-heart on the direction it wanted to go with this site and weighed the potential benefits and challenges of the village lot, said Jan Arnold, the park district's executive director. "They felt it was not the right fit for them to move forward at this time," Arnold said. The announcement follows a discussion during an executive session at the Nov. 15 Park Board meeting, according to a …

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The Week Ahead

Michael Myers Revisits and More: The Week Ahead

Two movie series end at Oak Park Public Library, the "War" returns and other happenings around the area.

There's a load of stuff happening around the area this week. Here's but a sample. Do Your Duty Vote early (but only once) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday at Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Colbert Film Tribute Concludes The Oak Park Public Library's tribute to film legend Claudette Colbert concludes Monday with a showing of "So Proudly We Hail" at 1:30 p.m. at the main library, 834 Lake St. Colbert leads a group of untested Army nurses, caught behind enemy lines, fighting to survive during the Japanese invasion of Bataan and Corregidor in World War II.The 1943 film also stars Paulette Godard and Veronica Lake. Film Historian Doug Deuchler will lead the discussion. The movie is free and open to the public. The War Returns A …

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Voting Early in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park Underway

About 280 Oak Park residents cast their vote at Village Hall on Monday as early voting opened.

People who want to vote early in the Nov. 6 election can do so now. According to the Wednesday Journal, about 280 votes were cast today at Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Early voting will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday. You'll have until Nov. 3 to cast your ballot early. You can find locations where you can vote early in Cook County here. Read about the 2012 election on Patch. You don't need to say why you're wanting to cast an early ballot. Bring your driver's license or state identification card with you to verify your current address. If you decide to cast your ballot on Election Day, you might want to verify where you'll vote. Precincts were redrawn after the 2010 Census and the number of Oak Park precincts …

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There's Still Time to Register to Vote

Deadline for signing up is Oct. 9. Find out where to register

Residents who are new to the area or have moved within their towns have just a few days left to register to vote for the November election. People wanting to sign up must show two pieces of identification. Neither needs to be a photo ID, but one must have a current address. Acceptable forms of ID include: Illinois Driver's license, employee or student ID, Illinois State ID, credit card, social security card, birth certificate, utility bill in applicant's name, mail postmarked to the applicant, a valid U.S. passport, or Public Aid ID card. Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Oak Park Township Office, 105 S. Oak Park Ave. River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Ave. Forest Park Village Hall, 517 Des Plaines Ave. Students at Oak Park and River…

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Deadline Near to Sign Up for Youth Employment Skills Workshop

Four-day forum to focus on job skills and learning techniques to help teens find, keep a job.

Are you a teen interested in finding out how you can find and keep a job? No problem - Oak Park has a four-day series of workshops for that. But you gotta act fast. The deadline is Aug. 10 for teens from ages 14 to 17 to enroll online for a free youth employment skills workshop. The program, sponsored by the Oak Park Community Relations Dept., will be from 3 to 6:15 p.m., Aug. 13 to 17 at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. It is free of charge. Sessions will concentrate on developing self-confidence, personal development, conflict resolution, goal setting and goal achievement. Participants also will learn about successful job interviewing techniques,proper resume writing and employer expectations and proper attire. For more information call 708…

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ComEd Improvements Announced in Oak Park

Power company pledges improvements in storm response times, communications with customers.

ComEd announced several customer service upgrades on Sunday, using Oak Park, the testing ground for its "Smart Grid" innovations, as a backdrop. Communications improvements are slated to include the expansion of call volume at its call center and the debut of a new two-way text messaging service, which will enable customers to text outage issue and allow the utility company to text their customers back with updates. ComEd is also aiming to launch a mobile app for iPhone and Android smartphones later this year, company officials said. The company detailed the plans outside Oak Park Village Hall and in front of ComEd's new "regional mobile command center," a new $1 million roving war room for the utility giant's storm response teams. First …

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LIVE BLOG: Rep. Danny Davis Town Hall in Oak Park

Stay with Patch as Oak Parkers discuss policy with longtime Congressman.

During the summer recess from the debates and issues that keep lawmakers busy in DC, long-term Congressman Danny Davis is talking about them in his district. Davis, who has represented Oak Park since 1996, will likely address Social Security, Medicare, jobs and other issues of concern to the district. 9: 13 p.m. Davis ended the town hall and thanked everyone for coming. "I appreciate your questions and your insights," he said. A swarm of people came up to the front of council chambers to shake his hand, ask him more questions and get a photo of, and with, the Congressman. 9:04 p.m. There are three things that government does: make laws, appropriate money and decide where it will be spent," Davis said. "That's always been the hard part....…

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Danny Davis to Hold Town Hall in Oak Park

Congressman will answer to public at Monday forum.

Oak Park residents are invited to a town hall meeting hosted by Congressman Danny Davis (D-7th). The forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Topics will include the economy (federal budget, jobs, etc.) housing issues, education policy and "any other issues residents would like to discuss," Davis' office said. Davis' district encompasses parts of Chicago and stretches west into Oak Park and River Forest. It also covers parts of Forest Park, Maywood, Bellwood, Broadview, Hillside and Berkeley. Another town hall forum is scheduled for is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in Westchester. Details here. Residents looking for more information on the town hall are asked to call (708) 345-6857

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