Holiday Toy Drive

For the past twenty-four years, the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation has pursued its mission of providing comfort and distraction from painful procedures to children and teens fighting cancer by providing toys, gifts and gift cards.  When a child must endure the rigors of cancer treatment, there is little anyone can do to take away the pain.  However, thanks to the efforts of this unique Foundation, there are treasure chests filled with donated toys, gifts and gift cards at 61 nationwide treatment centers including Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL.  Last year more than 14,400 children with cancer benefitted from this vital program every month.
 
The Foundation needs our help in order to keep the treasure chests full for the brave children and teens fighting cancer.  We are asking families to donate to the City of Oak Forest Holiday Toy Drive.  All donations will be used for the treasure chest program.  Toys and gifts in all shapes, sizes and varieties are welcomed, although we do request that no stuffed animals be donated.

Toys, gifts for teens or gift cards in increments of $5.00 may be dropped off at City Hall through January 8, 2021.
 
On behalf of the City of Oak Forest and the children and teens who benefit from the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, we thank you in advance for your generous donation.

2,000 Toys Collected for Toys for Tots

The City of Oak Forest Police Department completed another year for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. 

"We want to thank the residents of Oak Forest who contributed to this year’s toy drive," said Deputy Chief Scott Durano, a former Marine.  "We also want to thank the Tinley Park Police Department for spearheading their community as well as the many local businesses who volunteered to be a drop location."

Durano said that this year was especially difficult with our current health crisis.  However, the community still came through.  "Each year this drive brings us closer to accomplishing the foundation's saying: Every Child Deserves a Little Christmas."

Bremen Township Tax Appeals

Bremen Township is currently open for Tax Appeals which includes the City of Oak Forest.  The last day to file is 1/5/2021.  

Appeal forms are available in the Clerk's Office at City Hall, 15440 S. Central Avenue.  These forms MUST be completed and turned in to Guy Gattone, Taxpayer Advocate by 01/02/2021.

If you have any questions on completing an appeal form, contact Guy Gattone, Tax Advocate at (708) 687-4050, EXT. 1031.

Snow Removal Reminders

Winter is just around the corner.  Please remember that the city prohibits residents from parking vehicles on city streets after 2 inches of snow has fallen to allow Public Works Department crew members to clear and salt the streets efficiently and effectively and 

Vehicles must remain off streets for 12 hours after the end of snowfall or risk being fined and/or towed.  

IMPORTANT!  Do not shovel or blow snow from driveways into the streets as this can cause a hazard and is also against city ordinance.  When snow is shoveled into the street, the plow is likely to push it right back in front of the driveway.  Although the city's plows may leave some snow across driveway entrances, they try to keep it to a minimum.  The Public Works Department will not remove snow from driveway entrances. 

For more information, please read the Snow and Ice Control article on the city website.

Everbridge System Replaces Reverse 911 Notifications

In the past, the City of Oak Forest has reached out to citizens via Reverse 911 calls.  This has changed to a new system called Everbridge Emergency Alerts. 

By going to the Everbridge website, you can sign-up and create an account.  Enter a cell phone number for voice and text, landline phone number for voice, email address for notifications, as well as home address.  Entering your home address helps the City of Oak Forest send messages to only certain areas of the town that a particular emergency is taking place, such as a water main break, for example.

Creating an account will also give you access to make future modifications to your account when needed, such as change of phone number, email, and home address. 
Additionally, if you ever move and do not want any notifications from the City of Oak Forest, you have the ability to delete account. 

Everbridge is a valuable tool for the city and for citizens who want to be informed.

Please sign up today!

Stay Informed!

Receive Phone Call Alerts and Text Alerts by signing up for Everbridge.

eBriefs is a weekly newsletter from the City of Oak Forest with information from the Mayor and other city officials.

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