If you do not subscribe to cable television, you can watch Committee of the Whole and City Council meetings online or check out the DVDs at Acorn Public Library. 

November CIC-TV Programming Schedule

City Hall is closed Saturday, November 24

All payments can be dropped in the Night Depository Mail slot to the right of the City Hall main entrance after hours.

Next City Council Meeting is Tuesday, November 27

8:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers

159th Street Is Now Open

159th Street is now open. Due to the continued improvements to southbound Cicero Avenue, the new double turning lanes will remain a single turning lane until that portion has been completed. All four through-lanes have been opened.

Click here to subscribe to Oak Forest News through Notify Me on the city website to be up-to-date on what's happening around the city. 

For updates on the on-going improvements to the intersection at 159th Street and Cicero Avenue, be sure to follow City of Oak Forest on Facebook or Twitter. 
 
You can also find the full list of notifications since January on the city website in the Oak Forest News tab on the homepage. Click here to review the updated news flash.

If you have any questions or concerns about the project, do not hesitate to send a message on Facebook to City of Oak Forest or call City Hall at 708-687-4050 and we will try to answer them in a timely manner.

Natalie Creek Project Groundbreaking

On Monday, November 19, members from the Village of Midlothian, the City of Oak Forest, The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, the Honorable William Davis and dedicated members of Floodlothian Midlothian, a grassroots group of Midlothian residents frustrated by flooding in their community, came to celebrate the proposed renovations to Natalie Creek.  

The $8.3 million Natalie Creek Project will include improvements designed to reduce flood risks along the creek starting at the Village of Midlothian at 146th and Pulaski and following a route of about 15,800 lineal feet through to the City of Oak Forest’s Central Park Detention Basin. 

• Misc. Channel Improvements along the Creek 
• Concrete Channel Renovations and existing Detention Basin expansion at 149th Street & Kilpatrick 
• Upsizing of Culverts at 149th Street & Kilpatrick, Kenton, Kolmar, Kilbourn & Kostner Avenues 
• New Detention Basin Facility in the vicinity of Kostner Avenue & 147th Street 
• 146th Street & Pulaski Road Conduit Outfall Grate Improvements

Keep It Local: Support Local Businesses

Over the last few months, the Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce introduced Keep It Local; a new initiative to urge local residents to support local businesses  in our community. 

What happens with you support local businesses?

Builds Relationships
Meeting neighbors and friends in and around businesses helps build a closer community.

Strengthens the Local Economy
Every dollar spent at an independent businesses returns  3 times more money to the local economy than one spent at a chain and almost 50 times more than buying from and online merchant.

Creates a Healthier Environment
Local businesses typically use less land, use locally-made products and are easier to access creating less traffic and air pollution.

Offers Choices and Gives Character
Local businesses have a better chance to offer services  residents want and help give the city its distinct personality.

Lowers Taxes
With more centralized locations, local businesses put less demand on roads, sewers, and safety services generating more tax revenue per sales dollar.

Look for the Keep It Local decal at businesses around  the city. If your business needs a door decal, contact the Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce at 708-687-4600 or visit oc-chamber.org.

Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony 2018

Mark your calendars for the City of Oak Forest Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 11 AM! Watch the parade along Central Avenue as Santa and Mrs. Claus arrives at City Hall Campus! Watch them, with help from Mayor Hank Kuspa, light our city tree in the gazebo.

Grab some hot cocoa and treats while you enjoy carols and trees decorated by local organizations, groups and businesses! 

If you or your group would like to be in the parade, register at the link below.
Hope to see you there and Happy Holidays!

Click here to register for the Parade!

Toy Drive
Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation

November 19 - December 21  /  City Hall Lobby

Help put a smile on the face of children and teens fighting cancer. Bring new unwrapped toys (no stuffed animals), $5 gift cars of gifts for teens to the City Hall Lobby and place it in the red barrel by Friday, December 21. 

Find more information about the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation and the great work they do at www.treasurechest.org.

Upgrade Your Old, Drafty Home!

Oak Forest is the first suburb to benefit from the ComEd® Energy Efficiency Program partnered with the Chicagoland Vintage Home Association (CVHA).

CVHA, formerly the Chicago Bungalow Association, has helped 3700 homes in Chicago for the past 17 years with a staggering satisfaction rating of 9.98 out of 10! Check your eligibility below and apply. No detailed financial information needed!

Eligibility
To qualify for this program you must meet the following criteria:

• Vintage single-family home built at least 50 years ago
• Home must be owner-occupied and receive electric delivery service from ComEd
• Located in Cook County
• Household income of 80% Area Median Income (AMI) or lower—see chart here.

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.