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. 

December CIC-TV Programming Schedule

City Hall is closed Saturday, December 1

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, December 11

8:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers

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.

Cancelled: Christmas Parade and
Tree Lighting Ceremony 2018

After much thought and discussion, for public safety due to the inclement weather predicted for tomorrow during our event, the City has decided to cancel the annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall on Saturday, December 1, 2018. This event will not be rescheduled.

Thank you to every business, resident and organization that planned on walking in our annual parade with Santa, and/or decorated a tree on the City Hall campus for the Trim-a-Tree contest.

We will be announcing the winners of the Trim-a-Tree contest on Monday, December 3. Look for notification on our Facebook, Twitter and the city website. We will reach out to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners individually as well.

Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy for children and teens fighting cancer this holiday season at the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation bin in the City Hall lobby. Donations can be made now until December 21.

Again, we apologize for the cancellation and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

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 when 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.

Metra Safety Poster and Essay Contest

For the 13th straight year, Metra asked the region's students to illustrate through posters or essays the importance of safe behaviors near railroad tracks and rail crossings. The theme for the 2018-2019 school year: “Use Your Senses."
The contest is open to all students in grades K through 12 living or attending school in Metra’s six-county service area: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will. The deadline for all entries is Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019.

One first-, second- and third-place winner will be selected from each grade, K through 12, and awarded the following prizes:

First Place: iPad
Second Place: $250 gift card
Third Place: $100 gift card

The winning designs will be featured in Metra’s safety calendar, website, station displays and on weekend passes.

Visit metracontest.com for more information.

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.