Next Oak Forest City Council Meeting

The next Oak Forest City Council Meeting will be held on February 23, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Prior to the City Council Meeting, there will be a Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Residents are invited to attend both meetings (must wear a mask and practice social distancing) or you can watch live on www.oak-forest.org/live.

To view the most recent meeting from February 9, 2021, please click on the image below.

Keep Fire Hydrants Clear of Snow

In case of fire, firefighters need to be able to get to the hydrants quickly to protect people and property. We need your help! There are more than 3,000 fire hydrants in the City of Oak Forest. Please take time to shovel at least 5 feet away from any fire hydrants in your yard or neighborhood. Time spent clearing fire hydrants can mean extra time to save lives and property in the case of a fire at your house or your neighbors.

Keep Outdoor Vents Clear of Snow

Check on your gas meter, sidewall vents and gas appliance/dryer vents during and after heavy snowfalls, and clear snow away from the vent’s opening if it builds up. If you do notice a mound of snow blocking your furnace or dryer vent, clear it away by hand – don’t use a shovel or a snow blower, as either could cause damage to the vent pipe. Doing this will prevent possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Check your CO and smoke alarms to make sure they are working properly.

Winter Weather and Your Roof

The Oak Forest Building Department is aware that many residents are concerned about the snow load and ice damming on their roofs.

If you decide to hire a contractor to remove snow or ice from your roof, please remember to call the Building Department at 708-444-4817 to confirm that they are registered and their insurance is up-to-date. We can also email you a list of registered roofers.

It is important to remember that you should leave an inch or two of snow so as not to damage your shingles during the snow removal process. ICY ROOFTOPS ARE VERY DANGEROUS, PLEASE DO SO WITH EXTREME CAUTION.

The CRCA Chicago Roofing Contractors Association shared more information about Winter Weather and Your Roof:

Ice dams occur when the attic warm air melts the snow above. The snow melt runs down the roof to the unheated overhang soffit, then freezes. Water keeps coming from up above and backs up under the shingles as it hits the 'dam,' causing leaks.
Remove snow above the ice dam with snow rakes and other similar tools. Never use a torch.
Place ice melt compatible with the roof in fabric that can melt the ice dam.
Roofs are dangerous to be on, even in good weather. Ladders can slip, roofs are slippery and falls from height cause serious injuries. Call a professional.

COVID-19 Updates

As of Tuesday, February 2, 2021, all regions, including Oak Forest are at Phase 4 Restore Illinois.

Illinois Regional COVID-19 Resurgence Criteria can be found at: Illinois Regional COVID-19 Resurgence Criteria | IDPH.

COVID-19 symptoms may include fever, sore throat, loss of taste, cough or shortness of breath. Visit CDC.gov for more information regarding symptoms.

Oak Forest COVID-19 Statistics

Current numbers for Oak Forest from the Illinois Department of Public Health website (www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics) as of Friday, February 19, 2021:

2,606 positive cases
21,886 people tested
3.9% Positivity Rate (Suburban Cook County, Region 10)

COVID-19 Vaccination Update

The State of Illinois, the Cook County Department of Public Health and the National Guard have opened
COVID-19 vaccination site at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive. Appointments are required; it is not a walk-up site.

The State and Cook County have a website available to accept appointments at https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/ or by calling 833-308-1988.

See more information about the state's vaccination plan on the IDPH website.

COVID-19 Testing Site Open in Tinley Park

A drive-thru coronavirus testing center has opened in Tinley Park, and offers same day rapid testing results and PCR testing.

Located at 7460 Duvan Drive in Tinley Park, it is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. The center offers PCR testing, with results in 1-3 days, rapid testing at $125 and antibody testing.

To book an appointment, which is required, visit the NAS Testing Center website. On the day of the appointment, patients will drive up, get tested, then drive out without having to leave their car. For more information, call 708-649-0333.

Walk/run Virtual #CNBFleadh5k
Register now

Get your family, friends together, and walk/run our Virtual 5k. With a virtual race, you can complete the race, decked out in your green attire anytime or anywhere
from March 6th to March 17th. Several groups will be meeting on March 6th in the morning, to do their own version of "Fleadh 5k"!

NEW! A portion of every runner's registration will be donated to Julia's Legacy. Julia's Legacy of Hope was founded by her family in her honor. It's mission is to provide funds for the purposes of pediatric cancer research, college scholarships, and to give comfort to kids with cancer and their family.

Family Parade on Central Avenue

Line up along Central Avenue between Oak Forest High School and the Oak Forest Park District on March 6, 2021. The parade will start at 11:00 am. Bring the family, wear your green, and let's have some fun! Don't forget your bags to grab all those goodies! Looking to enter the parade? There is still time to register your family, organization or company. Fill out the Parade Registration Form. Social distancing and wearing masks or face coverings is recommended.

Click above for more details.

Acorn Library - Fleadh Around Town Leprechaun Contest

Acorn Library invites you to register to build a leprechaun to decorate the path for the the Annual Fleadh Parade!

You will receive a head, hat, and arms; you provide the rest. We will post your creations in front of the library before the big parade on March 6th. The winners will receive a pizza party gift card!

Oak Forest Park District - Leprechaun Activities 8:30a-10:30a

The Oak Forest Park District will be hosting Pre-Parade activities including: Hot Cocoa Bar, Fun Crafts for Kids, Open Bean Bag Play, Games and Light Concessions. Great way to start your Fleadh day!

Additionally, run the CNB Virtual 5k at The Zone Fitness Center using their treadmills. No membership needed. Anytime from 3/6-3/17 during open hours.

Oak Forest-Crestwood Chamber of Commerce

Visit Local Restaurants After the Parade

Oak Forest local restaurants need our support more than ever due to the on-going pandemic. Plan on stopping by one or two or more for lunch to eat, drink and be merry!

For the latest news about all the events scheduled for the 2021 Fleadh on March 6th, follow us on Facebook for updates Oak Forest Fleadh, 708-687-4600.

Always Receive City of Oak Forest Emergency Notifications

The new Everbridge system replaces Reverse 911 as a means to notify citizens. Critical situations like severe weather and criminal activity require information to be shared quickly and effectively with residents.

Everbridge helps the City of Oak Forest send messages out to the entire town or certain areas of the town where a particular emergency is taking place such as a water main break. Creating an account is easy! If you ever move and do not want any notifications, you have the ability to delete your account.

Go to the City of Oak Forest website at www.oak-forest.org and look for the Everbridge logo to create an account or use this link: https://member.everbridge.net/397890065268844/login.

You can even download the Everbridge app via Google Play on android devices or Apple app store on iPhones or iPads.

Enter a cell phone number for voice and text, landline phone number for voice, email address for notifications, as well as home address. Entering your home address helps the City of Oak Forest send messages to only certain areas of the town that a particular emergency is taking place.

Sign up today to help us better communicate with you.

Snow Removal Reminders

Please remember that the City of Oak Forest prohibits residents from parking vehicles on city streets after 2 inches of snow has fallen to allow Public Works Department crew members to clear and salt the streets efficiently and effectively and

Vehicles must remain off streets for 12 hours after the end of snowfall or risk being fined and/or towed.

IMPORTANT! Do not shovel or blow snow from driveways into the streets as this can cause a hazard and is also against city ordinance. When snow is shoveled into the street, the plow is likely to push it right back in front of the driveway. Although the plows may leave some snow across driveway entrances, they try to keep it to a minimum. The Public Works Department will not remove snow from driveway entrances.

For more information, please read the Snow and Ice Control article on the City of Oak Forest website at www.oak-forest.org.

SD 142 Kindergarten Registration

Forest Ridge School District 142 will begin registering kindergarten-aged children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2021 and live within the district boundaries. Your child’s date of birth must be on or before September 1, 2016.

To register your child for the 2021-2022 School Year visit:
http://www.d142.org/registration.

Please address all questions to the District Registrar, Mrs. Spagnola at 708-687-3334 or email: registration@d142.org.