Bicycle owners are encouraged to register their bikes with the city. Registered bicycles are easier to identify if lost or stolen. Residents may download a registration form or contact the City Clerk's Office to receive a mailed form. There is no charge for bicycle registration.
Building permits are required for new construction, additions, remodeling, and many other improvements. Detailed information may be obtained by calling the Building Department at (708) 687-4050, ext. 1041, or by clicking the following link: permits.
Business Licenses & Registration
All businesses within Oak Forest must possess a business license or business registration. You may download an application form or contact the City Clerk's Office to receive a mailed form. This requirement does not include home-based businesses.
The city operates four parking areas which allow Metra Rock Island commuters to easily access the train station. A map of the lots may be accessed at the following link: commuter lot map. There is no fee for users who park in the lot after 11:30 a.m. The city-operated lots are:
Waverly Avenue Lot: A total of 154 daily fee spaces are available in the Waverly Avenue lot. The lot is northeast of the train station, and pedestrian access is available via a pedestrian overpass. A fee payment box is located near the train station.
157th Street Lot: A total of 294 daily fee spaces are available in the 157th Street Lot. The lot is located immediately north of the train station. A fee payment box is located near the train station.
158th Street Lot: A total of 24 daily fee spaces are available along the south side of 158th Street. The spaces are located immediately east and west of Lamon Avenue. A fee payment box is located near the train station.
Opening December 2007! Arbor Commuter Lot: This new daily fee lot will contain 481 spaces. The lot is at the southwest corner of 159th Street and Oak Avenue. Access to the lot is from oak Avenue. A fee payment box is located near the 159th Street overpass south of the train platform.
159th Street Lot: This parking lot is being transformed into a mixed-use development which will contain commercial and residential space. As a result, most parking in this lot will be eliminated in November 2007. However, during and after construction of the mixed-use development, a total of 53 parking spaces will remain in the lot. The lot will be daily fee, although permits will be sold to those with a valid handicapped placard upon request. All handicapped accessible parking (daily fee and permit) is located in this lot.
If your company plans on doing work in the city, you must apply for a contractor's license before beginning any type of work. You may download a contractor's license application form or contact the City Clerk's Office to receive a mailed form. You will also need to submit a current certificate of insurance, $10,000 surety bond, and a copy of your state license (if applicable).
City ordinance requires all dogs that are housed in Oak Forest to be licensed with the city. You may download a dog 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 per household to three.
Doing some remodeling or construction? Temporary dumpster permits are required. Residents may download a permit form or contact the City Clerk's Office to receive a mailed form. There is no charge for dumpster permits. These permits are issued for up to one week and may be renewed if necessary.
Residents may have up to three garage sales per year. Permits for garage sales are required. Residents may download a permit form or contact the City Clerk's Office to receive a mailed form. There is no charge for garage sale permits. Garage sale signs may only be placed on the property in which the sale will be held on the day of the sale and must be taken down immediately after the event.
Garbage and Recycling Pick-Up
Oak Forest contracts waste and recycling pickup to NuWay Disposal. Please visit NuWay's Web site or click here for more details about the new waste management program (effective March 1). For the 2008 garbage and recycling pickup schedule, click here.
A garbage container shall be kept in the rear of a principal building on a lot, except when it is necessary to place in the parkway for garbage collection. It shall be placed in the parkway not prior to 6 p.m. on the day preceding collections and shall be removed from the parkway not later than 9 p.m. on the day of collection (Per code 1060.03).
Neighborhood Watch Program
A community Neighborhood Watch Program is in place within Oak Forest. If you are a motivated volunteer who seeks to serve your neighborhood, contact Dennis Mitzner at 708-687-4050, ext.1603.
As a convenience to local residents, the city is a passport acceptance facility. If you wish to process your passport with us, you must make an appointment by calling 708-687-4050, ext. 1000. We take appointments Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Please keep in mind that we do not process passport renewals. If your passport has recently expired or will soon expire, obtain a renewal form from City Hall or from the U.S. State Department's Web site and mail in your application. You are not charged a processing fee for this, only the renewal fee.
Approval time. The approval time of the Chicago Passport Agency is currently 6 to 8 weeks to approve and send out routine passports due to a high volume of applications. If you choose to expedite your application, you will receive it in 7 to 10 working days.
What to bring for the appointment. You must bring in the completed application (DS-11), a certified U.S. birth certificate and two passport photos. Do NOT use White-Out on your application. The state department will deny the application.
Federal and processing fees
Age 16 and under, routine passport:
Ø $60.00 in the form of a check or money order, made out to the U.S. State Department
Ø $25.00 in the form of cash or a check, made out to the City of Oak Forest
Age 17 and older, routine passport:
Ø $75.00 in the form of a check or money order, made out to the U.S. State Department
Ø $25.00 in the form of cash or a check, made out to the City of Oak Forest
Age 16 and under, expedited passport:
Ø $120.00 in the form of a check or money order, made out to the U.S. State Department
Ø $41.25 in the form of cash or a check, made out to the City of Oak Forest
Age 17 and older, expedited passport:
Ø $135.00 in the form of a check or money order, made out to the U.S. State Department
Ø $41.25 in the form of cash or a check, made out to the U.S. State Department
Age requirements. If your child is applying for a passport and is under the age of 14, BOTH parents must be present to authorize the application. If your child is between the ages of 14 and 17, at least one parent must be present to authorize the application. Both parents must display a government-issued piece of identification.
Passport forms. If you wish to print out the application form, you may do so at the U.S. State Department Web site. This Web site will also give you up-to-date information on travel requirements and travel warnings.
Passport Cards coming soon! The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards.
Passport Card federal and processing fees
Age 16 and under, routine passport:
Ø $35.00 in the form of a check or money order, made out to the U.S. State Department
Ø $25.00 in the form of cash or a check, made out to the City of Oak Forest
Age 17 and older, routine passport:
Ø $45.00 in the form of a check or money order, made out to the U.S. State Department
Ø $25.00 in the form of cash or a check, made out to the City of Oak Forest
Age 16 and under, expedited passport:
Ø $95.00 in the form of a check or money order, made out to the U.S. State Department
Ø $41.25 in the form of cash or a check, made out to the City of Oak Forest
Age 17 and older, expedited passport:
Ø $105.00 in the form of a check or money order, made out to the U.S. State Department
Ø $41.25 in the form of cash or a check, made out to the U.S. State Department
Any organization that wishes to conduct a raffle within the city must apply for a raffle license. Applicants may download a license form or contact the City Clerk's Office to receive a mailed form. There is no charge for a raffle license.
Free senior bus transportation is available for any Oak Forest resident who is at least 60 years old. The bus will pick you up at home, bring you to your destination, and return you home. What could be more convenient? Weekday transportation is provided to grocery stores, medical appointments, drug stores, restaurants, hair appointments, Senior Commission luncheons, bingo at McDonald's, and Bremen Township senior activities.
A one-time registration is required to use the bus. You may download a registration form or contact the City Clerk's Office at 708-687-4050, ext. 1024 to receive a mailed form.
The bus service operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for transportation to worship service. Reservations for pickups for worship services must be made by 3 p.m. on the preceding Friday.
Registered seniors can call 708-473-2925 to request routine rides and 708-535-4090 for rides to special events or medical appointments.
If you spot a problem requiring action by the city, you may use the following link to submit a service request. You may also contact the city at 708-687-4050 to discuss any problem.
Door-to-door solicitation in the city is restricted. Any organization wishing to apply for a solicitor's license must do so in the City Clerk's Office. If approved, there are daily licensing fees.
The following utility companies serve the city:
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ComEd (Electric) – 800-334-7661
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Nicor (Gas) – 888-642-6748
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Comcast (Cable/Phone) – 866-594-1234
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Wide Open West (Cable/Phone) – 630-536-3100
All vehicles that are housed in Oak Forest MUST be registered with the city and must display a current vehicle sticker at all times. The stickers are valid from July 1 through June 30 of each year. Applications are mailed annually to residents that currently have their vehicles registered with the city. Senior citizens, 65 and older, are eligible to receive free vehicle stickers with proper id and vehicle registration..
New residents must register their vehicles within 30 days of moving in and must show proof of a move-in date. You may download a vehicle sticker application form or contact the City Clerk's Office to receive a mailed form.
Any new resident of the city, or person turning 18 years of age, is urged to register to vote. Voter registration is conducted in the City Clerk's Office. The applicant must bring in two forms of identification, both with signatures and a current address. Registrations are not accepted 30 days prior to any election.
Water bills may be paid in person at City Hall, by mail, at InBank, or through our night depository box located on the outside of the City Clerk's Office building. We accept cash, check or credit card. Water customers may also choose to participate in our pre-authorized payment program. You may download an application form or contact the City Clerk's Office to receive a mailed form.
Water conservation measures are required for suburban communities using water from Lake Michigan. These rules apply regardless of rainfall trends, and are intended to keep great lakes water sustainable to serve the millions of residents that rely upon this natural resource.
In Oak Forest, odd/even sprinkling rules are in effect and will be enforced May 15 through September 15th. Sprinkling is allowed from 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. on the Odd/Even Basis. If the last digit in your street address is odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) then you may sprinkle only on odd numbered calendar days. If the last digit in your address is even (2, 4, 6, 8, 0) then you are restricted to sprinkling on even numbered calendar days only.
