Oak Forest City Hall
Closed to the Public

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the City Hall side of the Oak Forest Municipal Building at 15440 Central is now closed to the public.  This action was taken early this morning in an effort to help protect City employees and the public.    
 
If you have any questions or wish to talk with someone, please call 708-687-4050.  There is staff working inside City Hall and they will be able to help you.  You may also access the City of Oak Forest’s website at www.oak-forest.org. 
 
If you need to drop something off at City Hall, please use the drop-box on the brick wall of City Hall to the right of the doors.
 
City updates will be available on e-Briefs, social media and the website.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control ("CDC") always recommends these actions to help prevent the spread of this virus, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

IDOT 159^th Street Resurfacing Continues

Depending upon the weather, the Illinois Department of Transportation will be resurfacing 159^th Street (U.S. Route 6) and constructing ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps from 94^th Avenue in Orland Park to Cicero Avenue in Oak Forest.  This will require daily lane closures.  Motorists can expect delays in travel time when traveling through this area.  Completion of this work is expected in July.

City Council Meeting for Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Is Cancelled due to the Breakout of the Coronavirus

Coyotes in Oak Forest

Forest preserves surround Oak Forest and serve as home to many wild animals, including coyotes.  While coyotes generally avoid contact with people, they will prey on smaller animals.  Never feed a coyote and make sure you do not leave garbage cans open.  More information will be available in the next issue of FYI--the City of Oak Forest’s newsletter.  Should you have questions or concerns about coyotes, please contact Oak Forest Animal Control at 708-705-5690.

United States Census 2020

By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. This will mark the first time that you will be able to respond
to the census online. 

The Census has been a cornerstone of our democracy since the first national count in 1790. It is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency.

The 2020 Census counts the population in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

Watch the video above or click below to learn more:
What is the Census?   What is the 2020 Census?

The Senior Commission Luncheon
Scheduled for March 26th is Cancelled

Please call City Hall for more information at 708-687-4050.

Join the Oak Forest Senior Commission!

The Oak Forest Senior Commission is looking for senior citizens who might like to serve as members of this commission, which meets in City Hall on every second Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM. 

The Senior Commission gets involved in various community events, such as the annual Health Fair at the Oak Forest Park District and monthly senior lunches at the Oak Forest Community Center.

Should you wish to join this commission, please contact the Mayor’s Office at 708-687-4050, extension 1005.

CIC-TV Programming Schedule

CIC-TV Programming Schedule - March 2020

Oak Forest-Crestwood Chamber Fleadh 2020:  Spearheaded by Kim Malecky-Iles and Val Shalati, the Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Fleadh. Runners come out in droves to partake in what is often viewed as the kickoff to the marathon season in the Chicago area, the Fleadh 5K! Afterwards, numerous Chamber businesses offer food and drink specials for people to start their day with an Irish breakfast! The morning rounds out with an Open Streets event and Family Parade before Cicero Avenue re-opens and Fleadh-goers tour the Restaurant Open House!

Monday   -  8:30 AM, 4 PM, 8:30 PM
Tuesday   -  7 AM, 2:30 PM
Wednesday   -  8:30 AM, 8:30 PM
Thursday   -  7 AM, 2:30 PM, 10 PM
Friday   -  10 AM, 4 PM, 8:30 PM
Saturday   -  7 AM, 2:30 PM, 7 PM
Sunday   -  7 AM, 2:30 PM, 7 PM

Senior Lunch - Edizon:  The Oak Forest Senior Commission hosts the first Senior Lunch event of 2020! Now located in the Community Center at Central Park, the Commission doesn’t miss a beat!  Edizon Dayao returns with a new set list and brings people to their feet with his musical talent and ability to entertain! The event concludes with lunch and bingo!

Monday   -  7 AM, 2:30 PM, 7 PM
Tuesday   -  10 AM, 5:30 PM, 10 PM
Wednesday   -  7 AM, 7 PM
Thursday   -  10 AM, 5:30 PM
Friday   -  2:30 PM, 7 PM
Saturday   -  10 AM, 5:30 PM, 10 PM
Sunday   -  10 AM, 5:30 PM, 10 PM

Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting:  The City of Oak Forest hosts its annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Unlike other communities, Oak Forest provides a daytime view of its activities that attract numerous Girl Scout and Daisy Troops, as well as school organizations. The Oak Forest High School brass band, Madrigals, and Fierke Education Center singers provide musical entertainment. Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree and offers attendees the opportunity to share their Christmas wish list!

Monday   -  10 AM, 5:30 PM, 10 PM
Tuesday   -  8:30 AM, 4 PM
Wednesday   -  10 AM, 5:30 PM, 10 PM
Thursday   -  8:30 AM, 4 PM
Friday   -  5:30 PM, 10 PM
Saturday   -  8:30 AM, 4 PM, 8:30 PM
Sunday   -  8:30 AM, 4 PM, 8:30 PM

City Council:  Monday & Weekend  -  3 AM

Tuesday  -  7 PM
Wednesday  -  3 PM
Thursday  -  7:30 PM
Friday  -  7 AM

C.O.W. (As needed): Approximately 1.5 hours before City Council

Cook County Board Meeting:  Daily (Except Wednesday)  -  11:30 AM

*C.O.W. & Public Hearings may result in schedule changes.
**Longer-than-normal meetings may result in schedule changes throughout the month

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.