Oak Park Oak Leaves

04/27/2022

Now it's official.

The U.S. Senate confirmed recently retired Oak Park Police Chief LaDon Reynolds as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois.

04/18/2022

Construction season...

The Illinois Tollway announced plans to remove bridge beams from beneath I-294 where it passes over Grand Avenue near Franklin Park and Elmhurst.

04/08/2022

The phrase got controversial, but was meant to indicate the church would be showcasing music by composers of color.

The First United Church of Oak Park drew controversy for using the phrase "fasting from whiteness" during Lent to describe its African-inspired music rather than music by what it called white composers.

04/04/2022

Students left Fenwick and went to Ascension Church to wait out the bomb threat today.

Students and staff at Fenwick High School were given the "all-clear" by Oak Park police to return to the school premises after an evacuation due to a bomb threat Monday morning.

02/01/2022

Both priests talk about what comes next.

Four Oak Park Catholic churches will merge to form two parishes under a new structure announced last week by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

01/21/2022

Oak Park's Olympian.

Emery Lehman, 25, an Oak Park native who trained with the Franklin Park Speedskating Club, will compete in his third Olympics in Beijing.

12/28/2021

Prepare to show your vaxx card; some restaurteurs like the idea, others upset

Oak Park will join Cook County in requiring proof of vaccinations for patrons entering restaurants, gyms.

12/07/2021

Extracurriculars are back.

The school’s announcement that all clubs, athletics and extracurricular activities would be canceled for the remainder of the semester sparked protests from parents and students Saturday. The school backtracked on its plans the following day.

11/23/2021

We'll be following up with updates on the damage.

Oak Park firefighters had been on the scene of an extra-alarm commercial fire on Lake Street since about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday.

11/13/2021

The White House is reaching out to Oak Park, nominating Police Chief LaDon Reynolds for U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois.

The Biden administration is nominating its first set of U.S. Marshals, including the first Black man to serve as the U.S. Marshal in Minnesota, along with a slate of other historic firsts for U.S. attorney posts across the nation.

08/06/2021

Oak Park's health director issued a mask-wearing order Friday morning for all indoor public spaces, including workplaces, offices, stores.

The Oak Park Public Health director mandates all individuals over age 2 must wear a mask in public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

06/17/2021

Longtime Oak Park Village Manager Cara Pavlicek is expected to be named the next village manager of Northbrook, officials announced.

Oak Park village manager Pavlicek to be appointed next manager of Northbrook, pending final board vote

06/16/2021

“My sister was murdered almost 37 years ago, and contact with the Oak Park police has been sporadic,” Christopher Lombardo told the Tribune.

Kathleen Lombardo's 1984 killing in Oak Park is the subject of a monthslong court battle and a new episode of the "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" series set to premiere Monday on HBO.

06/15/2021

Among the 10 complaints, three were made by females and seven made by males. Half of the complaints were made by white individuals, while four were from Black citizens and one from a LatinX individual.

Police oversight committee reviews 10 complaints against Oak Park department, three upheld

06/08/2021

The Oak Park Residence Corporation is proposing to demolish its existing two-story, 12-unit apartment building at 7 Van Buren St. and construct a new six-story, 44-unit building. Of those units, 20% would be marketed as affordable.

Residence Corporation’s proposal draws mixed reviews from residents in southeast Oak Park

06/08/2021

Juneteenth itself is celebrated June 19, which commemorates the June 19, 1865 date when a U.S. Army general read orders in Galveston, Texas that all previously enslaved people were free.

Oak Park recognizes Juneteenth with flag-raising ceremony outside village hall

06/07/2021

The protest was largely meant to call on Illinois Sen. Don Harmon, a Democrat who represents Oak Park, to pass a clean energy bill in a special session of the state senate.

Activists stage protest, ‘die-in’ on Lake Street to call on state legislature to pass clean energy bill

06/07/2021

The village cited a need to take a "cautious approach" to hosting large events during the summer.

The village of Oak Park announced its annual 4th of July parade and fireworks have been canceled, citing a need to take a "cautious approach" to hosting large events.

06/04/2021

A new car detailing center could soon open on Madison Street following a favorable recommendation by the Oak Park zoning board of appeals.

Oak Park zoning board recommends approval of auto detailing center for Madison Street

05/27/2021

After meeting with students, the Oak Park and River Forest High School board is set to vote on changes to help those who may not be able to take part in graduation.

With graduation looming, OPRF High School board set to vote on policy changes following student demands

05/25/2021

In a town known for its architecture, one of Oak Park’s hidden gems may be its main Post Office sitting in the shadow of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple.

05/20/2021

Vaccinations at the OPRF field house Saturday will be open to all residents 12 and older.

Those still seeking a COVID-19 vaccine can attend a community clinic set up by the Oak Park Department of Public Health and Walgreens. It will be open to all residents age 12 and older.

05/18/2021

A group of between 100 and 200 people gathered at Scoville Park in Oak Park Monday evening to call for an end to the conflict in the Middle East.

05/17/2021

"The challenging effects of isolation on our seniors cannot be overstated."

As residents of long-term care facilities in the Chicago suburbs slowly return to what might be called normal life, they're navigating emotions ranging from gratitude to grief — and everything in between.

05/10/2021

The bill, titled the Health Care and Human Services Reform Act, is the fourth legislative pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda, and aims to improve equity in health care.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, state officials tout health equity bill during visit to West Suburban Medical Center

05/10/2021

Rising construction and materials costs, however, caused the developer to seek approval of a reduction of six units, from 84 to 78, from the Oak Park plan commission on May 6.

Developer granted reduction in size for proposed six-story Lake Street development in Oak Park

05/06/2021

During a ceremony this week, Oak Park Village President Anan Abu-Taleb gave his final remarks before his successor, Vicki Scaman, was sworn into office.

During a special ceremony, Oak Park Village President Anan Abu-Taleb gave his final remarks before his successor, Vicki Scaman, was sworn into office.

05/05/2021

"People will be outside in the light and people are hopefully also finding their own personal light through this whole pandemic."

Winifred Haun is looking on the bright side. The artistic director of Winifred Haun & Dancers is bringing her company to the beautiful grounds of Oak Park’s Historic Pleasant Home and the surrounding Mills Park to perform “Finding the Light” on May 16.

05/04/2021

As a nanny working in Oak Park, Viola Dabrowa helped and supported the Gurski family, caring for their young children Wil and Leah for nearly two decades. Now, the siblings are hoping to honor her memory.

As a nanny working in Oak Park, Viola Dabrowa helped and supported the Gurski family, caring for their young children Wil and Leah for nearly two decades. Now, the Oak Park siblings are hoping to honor her memory.