Mayor Henry L. Kuspa

From the Office of the Mayor

Today we enter Phase 4 of our Governor’s Restore Illinois Plan. While we may be excited to resume indoor dining with family and visit with friends at a local pub, we must be diligent to prevent having to revert back to a previous phase. Please continue to wear a face covering that covers the nose and mouth, maintain social distance of at least six feet and frequently wash hands.

The City of Oak Forest has not been immune to this virus. According to the Cook County Department of Public Health website, as of June 25, 2020, there have been 2,485 people tested with 252 positive cases and 8 very unfortunate deaths reported in our city due to Covid-19. As Governor Pritzker’s Plan states, Illinois will not move to Phase 5 until there is a vaccine or a highly effective treatment available and if our numbers go up like they have in other states, we risk returning to a prior phase.

Due to Covid-19, Oak Fest has been cancelled for this year. While it may be tempting to have your own display, please remember that fireworks are illegal in Illinois.

Have a safe and wonderful week!

Phase 4 Highlights

Phase 4 includes, among others, the following changes:

Gatherings of 50 people or fewer are allowed
All health care providers can be open
All outdoor recreation will be allowed
Restaurants will be open with capacity limits
Theaters will be open with capacity limits
Retail establishments will also be open
P-12 schools, higher education, all summer programs and child care can open with IDPH guidance

For more information: https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/restore-illinois-phase-4.

Veteran's Commission

Support the Oak Forest Veteran's Commission as they march in the 10th annual Midlothian Independence Day Parade on Saturday, June 27th.

The parade will line up at 10 a.m. and will begin at 11 a.m. The parade route will go along 147th Street from True Value to The Village Green near the Metra Station.

How to Protect Yourself

Nicor and other utility companies are reporting a rise in several scam tactics by predators taking advantage of unsuspecting residents.

Remember to always ask for identification of any field service representative before you let them in your home or property.

To verify that a call is legitimate, request to have the representative confirm information about your account that only you and the company would know.

Nicor Gas and other utility companies will never demand payment by one method such as prepaid debit card/ATM card or checking account.

Ask for identification and when in doubt, call Nicor at 888-Nicor4U.

Animal License Application

City ordinance requires all dogs and cats that are housed in Oak Forest to be licensed with the city. You may download an animal 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 and cats per household to three.

Shop Local!

As we enter Phase 4, please be kind, patient and respect the new rules and regulations our local businesses must adhere to in order to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus.

Fire Safety Product Recall

Message from the Oak Forest Fire Department

Edwards Recalls Mechanical Heat Detectors Due to Failure to Alert to Fire

Consumers who use the product in life-safety applications permitted by code (for example, in elevator shafts, or in lieu of smoke detectors, manual pull stations, or sprinklers in particular settings), or in residential attics or residential garages, should immediately contact a fire or security alarm professional for free replacement and installation of the heat detector.

Consumers can contact Edwards Fire Safety at 800-505-5088 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday to Friday. Click here for the complete Edwards Recall Notification.

Forest In Bloom Final Entries Due July 1, 2020

LAST CALL For Nominations

July 1st is the last day you can submit a nomination for a Forest In Bloom Award. All residents or business owners are eligible to nominate themselves or another home, business or organization. Go to www.oak-forest.org/bloom for the form.

Next Oak Forest City Council Meeting

The next Oak Forest City Council Meeting will be held on July 14, 2020, at 7:30 PM. To watch the previous meeting held on June 23, 2020, please click on the image below.

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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.