Mayor Henry L. Kuspa

From the Office of the Mayor

All of us continue to seek normalcy in our lives, which have been so affected by Covid-19, I want to make sure you know the City of Oak Forest stands ready to help in any way it can. Please note, help is a phone call away:

City Hall and other buildings: Open with restrictions. We encourage residents to drop off payments or other items in the night depository at City Hall, call us at 708-687-4050, or visit the City website at www.oak-forest.org.

Police Department: OFPD patrol activities and investigations are constant. For an emergency, dial 911 emergency. Otherwise, residents may call the OFPD’s non-emergency number at 708-687-1376 if no one is in danger.
Fire Department: Fire protection and emergency medical services also continue as usual. Call 911 in an emergency; otherwise call 708-687-6050 for OFFD assistance.
Public Works: Department employees are continuously working on water breaks, sewer maintenance and other emergencies. Senior Bus services remain limited to essential trips only. If you need assistance, call 708-535-4090.
Building Department: Permits are being issued electronically and outdoor inspections are being made. Questions can be answered by calling 708-444-4819.
Mayor’s Office: Questions and concerns relating to the Coronavirus pandemic or other matters can be directed to the Mayor’s Office at 708-444-4805.

Steady at Phase 4

We need to continue to be vigilant about wearing face masks or coverings and social distancing since Phase 4 of the Governor's Plan to Reopen Illinois began last week. Additional measures were carefully lifted allowing for schools and child care programs to reopen with social distancing policies in place. Restaurants are open with limited capacity and following strict public health procedures, including personal protective equipment for employees. Gatherings with 50 people or fewer is permitted. Testing is widely available, and tracing is commonplace.

The IDPH will continue to closely monitor data and receive on-the-ground feedback from local health departments and regional healthcare councils. IDPH will recommend moving back to the previous phase if it sees setbacks, such as the following:

Sustained rise in positivity rate
Sustained increase in hospital admissions for COVID-19 like illness
Reduction in hospital capacity threatening surge capabilities
Significant outbreak in the region that threatens the health of the region

For more information: https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/restore-illinois-phase-4.

Oak Fest Fireworks Cancelled

Due to Covid-19, Oak Fest has been cancelled this year and, therefore, necessary to cancel the fireworks.

Please consider attending a professional display of fireworks in neighboring towns like Crestwood, Mokena, Orland Park or Bridgeview. There are also numerous televised events.

Please leave the fireworks to the professionals. What goes up always comes down. We do not want to see damage your home or your neighbors' homes. Plus, we do not want anyone to get physically hurt from amateur and illegal fireworks.

State Fire Marshal Fireworks Safety

The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the National Fire Protection Association recommend that people attend a professional fireworks display on July 4th to ensure a safe holiday.

People interested in shooting fireworks, either privately or as a professional display, need to be aware of Illinois' new fireworks regulations that recently went into effect. The regulations divide fireworks displays into two categories:

consumer fireworks, which include such items as fountains, repeaters and parachutes. (Oak Forest requires a permit.)
pyrotechnic displays, which use professional grade fireworks such as mortars, cake bundles, and ground displays that depict a picture. (e.g. Oak Fest)

Both types of displays are only permitted in villages, municipalities and counties that have passed ordinances allowing such displays.

Community Blood Drive

Join the Oak Forest Rotary Blood Drive on Saturday, July 11 at the Oak Forest Park District, 15601 S. Central, in the Community Room from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

To encourage social distancing, please make an appointment at www.versiti.org/IL or call Jody at 630-297-1902. Walk-ins are welcome as the schedule allows. As per state mandate, please bring a photo ID and please wear a mask or face-covering to the blood drive.

Vehicle Stickers Available

Vehicle stickers are currently on sale. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is requesting that residents purchase stickers online at www.oak-forest.org, use the USPS mail or the night depository at City Hall.

Senior citizens with the same vehicle as last year automatically received a vehicle sticker in the mail.

If you did not receive a form in the mail or need additional assistance, please call City Hall at 708-687-4050 during regular business hours.

Water Conservation Reminder

Water conservation measures are currently in effect. Outside water use is allowed from 7 AM to 11 AM and
7 PM to 11 PM on odd or even dates based on your property address.

If drought conditions occur or the Village of Oak Lawn's water distribution center encounters mechanical trouble, more stringent restrictions could be implemented.

Animal License Application

City ordinance requires all dogs and cats that are housed in Oak Forest to be licensed with the city. You may download an animal license application form or contact the City Clerk's Office to receive a mailed form. You will need the rabies inoculation number (tag number) along with the date of vaccination. Please note that the city code restricts the maximum number of dogs and cats per household to three.

Mail Ballot Application

Due to COVID 19, all 2020 General Election voters are encouraged to cast a ballot prior to Election Day on November 3, either by mail or during early voting.

Any registered suburban Cook County voter may request a mail ballot using an online application at:

www.mailvoting.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Or, you can pick up an application at Oak Forest City Hall.

Once your application is verified, you will be sent a paper ballot to the mailing address you give. The deadline to apply is five days before an election.

To complete this application, you will need:

your driver’s license or state identification number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number;
the address where you would like your ballot mailed; and
an e-mail address.

Please note: Making a false statement to obtain a mail ballot or soliciting someone to do so is considered vote fraud, a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison. To report vote fraud, call 312.603.0942.

Next Oak Forest City Council Meeting

The next Oak Forest City Council Meeting will be held on July 14, 2020, at 7:30 PM. To watch the previous meeting held on June 23, 2020, please click on the image below.

CIC-TV & OFC-TV Programming

CIC-TV - Community Information Channel

Government access television is a resource of the city to address local municipal programming needs. The city uses this channel to cablecast City Council meetings, election programming, local emergency announcements, and other events and programs. The CIC-TV and OFC-TV studio is located at City Hall.

If you have any issues with or do not receive satisfaction from your cable company representatives, contact the Oak Forest Cable Commission at ofcable@oak-forest.org or call 708-687-4050 x1600. When contacting the Commission, the subscriber needs to provide the following: name, address phone, email and issue description.

e-Briefs is a free, voluntary e-mail service, which provides information about government services, activities and events.
On a weekly basis, you can expect to find City Council news and agendas, construction updates, public safety reminders, senior and youth news, and much more! Please forward this e-mail to friends and family and encourage them to sign up
for the weekly e-Briefs by visiting the Notify Me section of our website. Contact the City of Oak Forest at 708-687-4050 or cityofoakforest@oak-forest.org.