Brian Straw News Today

In a 5-2 vote Tuesday night, Oak Park’s Village Board of Trustees approved requiring residents to bag leaves starting in fall 2024.

Oak Park’s village board approved a measure to increase taxes on transient occupancy rental units such as Airbnb to support affordable housing.

The new shelter will be operational from Feb. 26 until June 30, according to the village. Migrants staying at the West Cook YMCA and The Carleton of Oak Park Hotel will be able to transition to St. Edmund between Feb. 26 and Feb. 29. 

 The revenue from the suggested increased tax, in the amount of 3.5%, would be allocated to the village’s affordable housing fund, under the proposal by village president Vicki Scaman.

In a 4-3 vote Tuesday, the board approved $150,000 more for short-term rental assistance for migrants coming from village funds. The board also approved, with six votes in favor and one abstention, allocating $300,000 from a Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services grant to the Community of Congregations for migrant rental assistance.

Trustees Cory Wesley and Lucia Robinson questioned how the task force was chosen as a partner, why other organizations had not been considered and expressed frustration, saying this action was not communicated effectively. 

A representative from Pete’s Fresh Market reported Tuesday that the grocery store chain still could not confirm an opening date to Oak Park trustees, despite repeated delays and project extensions.

The Oak Park Avenue project is set to include bluestone sidewalks, brick paver streets and colored concrete crosswalks. Oak Park’s village board of trustees approved an agreement with TERRA Engineering, Ltd. and subconsultants to complete the design for the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape and Utility Projects for $998,577. 

Oak Park village trustees passed an emergency declaration Thursday that gives manager Kevin Jackson the spending authority to address immediate needs for the growing migrant crisis in the area. 

The village has approved emergency spending and recently provided emergency shelter for more than 100 migrants staying at a Chicago police station.