COVID-19 Updates

As of Friday, January 22, 2021, Oak Forest is at Tier 2 Resurgence Mitigations.

COVID-19 symptoms may include fever, sore throat, loss of taste, cough or shortness of breath. Visit CDC.gov for more information regarding symptoms.

Oak Forest COVID-19 Statistics

Current numbers for Oak Forest from the Illinois Department of Public Health website (www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics) as of Friday, January 22, 2021:

2,427 positive cases
19,429 people tested
7.7% Positivity Rate (Suburban Cook County, Region 10)

FREE COVID-19 Testing Site Opens in Oak Forest

Bremen Township will be performing free saliva testing (mouth swab) testing at the Bremen Township Senior/Youth Complex.

Located at 15350 Oak Park Avenue in Oak Forest, the free saliva testing (mouth swab) will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All our welcome, however, you must remain in your car for zero contact.

For more information, visit www.brementownship.net.

COVID-19 Testing Site Opens in Tinley Park

A drive-thru coronavirus testing center has opened in Tinley Park, and offers same day rapid testing results, PCR testing and hopes to soon offer the COVID-19 vaccine.

Located at 7460 Duvan Drive, Tinley Park, it is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. The center offers PCR testing, with results in 1-3 days, rapid testing at $125 and antibody testing.

To book an appointment, which is required, visit the NAS Testing Center website. On the day of the appointment, patients will drive up, get tested, then drive out without having to leave their car. For more information, call 708-649-0333.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

The City of Oak Forest has received a few calls regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. By the Governor's Administrative Order, in our area, Cook County Department of Public Health is charged with the creation of a plan (as a guide) and the distribution of the vaccine because they have the facilities to secure and keep the product in subzero temperatures.

Since this is a Cook County Department of Public Health initiative, they alone are responsible for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and they have not asked for the City of Oak Forest's assistance.

Once we receive information, we will do our best to inform our residents via our website, eBriefs, Facebook and Twitter.

Join the Cook County Department of Public Health’s website and sign up for vaccine updates to receive up-to-date information. There are other tabs on the page that will give you further information and FAQ’s that may answer some of your questions.

Coronavirus Vaccination Site Opens In Robbins

As people across Illinois wait their turn to be vaccinated in an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic, Illinois State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) recently announced a new COVID-19 vaccination site has opened in The Village of Robbins.

The site opened Monday, January 18, at the Robbins Health Center, located at 13450 S. Kedzie Ave. Those who are able to receive the vaccine can make an appointment to visit the facility from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

For now, only health care workers will be able to get vaccinated at the facility. However, the next phase starts Monday, January 25, and people 65 and over will be eligible for vaccination. Frontline essential workers will also be eligible. These workers include teachers, postal service workers and first responders. Supplies are limited, and residents need to make an appointment before going.

See more information about the state's vaccination plan on the IDPH website.

New Rock Island Schedule Takes Effect February 1st

Beginning Monday, February 1, 2021, Metra’s Rock Island Line customers will have more travel options, including new early morning trains that were requested by riders and some additional express service.

The revised schedule includes a new inbound Train 400, which will depart Joliet at 4:30 a.m. and make stops along the mainline to Chicago’s LaSalle Street Station. Pre-COVID, that train had been particularly popular with construction workers who work downtown.

In addition to the new services, multiple adjustments have been made to both the inbound and outbound schedules to renumber trains, adjust departure times and intermediate run times. Rock Island riders are strongly encouraged to closely examine the new schedule.

As the Chicago region rebounds from the pandemic, Metra continues to monitor ridership on all its lines and will continue to revise its schedules to accommodate increased passenger volumes as well as rider feedback about service needs.

New Rock Island schedule takes effect Feb. 1 | Metra (metrarail.com)

Cook County Property Taxes Update

Due to the pandemic, the penalties on late payments for property tax installments on both property tax installments in 2021 have been waived for two months. This is per the Cook County Treasurer website.

The First Installment of 2020 taxes is due March 2, 2021, with application of late charges moved back to May 3, 2021.

The Second Installment of 2020 taxes is due August 2, 2021, with application of late charges moved back to October 1, 2021.

Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program

Senior citizens having a hard time paying their property taxes can take advantage of a loan program administered by the Cook County Treasurer’s Office.

Seniors whose annual household income is $55,000 or less can apply now for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program, which issues loans to cover property tax payments.

The loans, which are issued by the State of Illinois, do not have to be repaid until the property is sold or the homeowner dies. A simple interest rate of 6 percent per year is charged by the state. The maximum loan is $5,000 per year. To qualify, homeowners must be at least 65 years old by June 1st of the year in which the application is made.

To apply:
• Download the application from cookcountytreasurer.com
• Submit the completed application and copies of the required documents to the Treasurer’s Office
• The deadline is March 1, 2021. Applications after that date cannot be accepted
• Homeowners must reapply every year
• The First Installment for Tax Year 2020 is due March 2, 2021, but late charges are waived through May 3, 2021.

Annual Oak Forest Fleadh Details

The Oak Forest-Crestwood Chamber of Commerce is excited to present the 12th Annual Oak Forest Fleadh on Saturday, March 6, 2021.

“Fleadh Around Town” is the theme and it will feature some new and exciting changes!!!

Registration is open for the CNB virtual 5k. What is a virtual 5k? From March 6th to March 17th, walk or run, in your neighborhood, on the treadmill, with your family, in a group, wherever works best for you! Then, log your time, post a pic with #CNBFleadh5k & #fleadharoundtown on FB & Instagram, and celebrate your success! Thank you CNB Bank & Trust for your continued support as our Premier Title 5k sponsor.

Register you and your family at www.raceroster.com/37373.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Several sponsorship levels are available. If you or your business would like to be a Fleadh sponsor, and have 600 people as your walking billboard, please fill out the SPONSOR REGISTRATION FORM. Deadline to have your logo on the shirt is January 31st.

The Oak Forest Fleadh showcases our community spirit, promotes local businesses, and brings new people to our area. It has turned into one of the biggest events in town. Please help promote the Fleadh. Like the Oak Forest Fleadh FB Page, share posts from the Chamber & Fleadh FB pages, display the event on your marquee and through your social media.

More details will be shared soon regarding the parade and other activities planned for the 12th Annual Oak Forest Fleadh.

Next Oak Forest City Council Meeting

The next Oak Forest City Council Meeting will be held on January 26, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Residents are invited to attend the meeting (must wear a mask and practice social distancing) or you can watch the meeting live on www.oak-forest.org/live. To view the most recent meeting from January 12, 2021, please click on the image below.

Snow Removal Reminders

Winter is here! 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.