Water Conservation

Water conservation is 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.

Why We Conserve Water

The city's water restrictions could be more accurately called water conservation measures. In 1967, there was a Supreme Court decision declaring that any state using Lake Michigan water was required to pass water restrictions to limit the amount of water removed from Lake Michigan.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources instituted guidelines that state that, at a minimum, any town that uses Lake Michigan water must limit the time allowed for water sprinkling between May 15 and September 15. That is why watering restrictions are imposed 7:00 am - 11:00 am and 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm on odd/even days according to your address.

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.

There are more stringent restrictions if drought conditions occur or the Oak Lawn distribution center has mechanical problems. The Public Works Department will continue to notify residents if and when any of these situations occur. We are extremely lucky to have such a bountiful natural resource at our disposal but Lake Michigan is not an endless supply. Please help conserve our natural resources.

What Can You Do to Save Water?

Check inside faucets for leaks. Even a faucet with a small drip can waste a lot of water.
Keep showers to five minutes or less in length.
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or washing your hands.
Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. Then you won't have to run tap water to cool it.
Use dishwashers and clothes washers for full loads only.
Use a broom to sweep your driveway, garage or sidewalk instead of using water.
Use a bucket of water to wash your bike or car. Rinse it quickly with the hose.
Be careful to water the lawn, not the sidewalk or street.
Water your lawn at night or in the early morning to avoid evaporation.
Check outside hoses, faucets and automatic sprinklers for leaks.
Use water only when you need it. Always turn it off when you are finished.
Install and maintain a rain barrel.

Rock Painting Outdoor Event

Join the Bremen Township for a safe, outdoor event on Friday, June 25 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Everything you need will be supplied. Plus, there will be water and light snacks provided.

The Senior Center is located at 15350 Oak Park Avenue in Oak Forest. It is near the Maggie Crotty Walking Path.

Open to all ages, but registration by June 23rd is required by calling 708-687-8220.

Leave the Fireworks to the Experts

Fireworks are ILLEGAL in Illinois! Please leave the fireworks to the professionals. What goes up always comes down. We do not want to see damage to your home or your neighbors' homes. Plus, we do not want anyone to get physically hurt from amateur and illegal fireworks.

Consider attending a professional display of fireworks in neighboring towns like Crestwood, Mokena, Orland Park or Bridgeview. There are also numerous televised events.

Forest Ridge School District 142
Board of Education Announcement

On June 15, 2021, the Forest Ridge School District 142 Board of Education announced Dr. Kristine L. Roth as the next Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Roth will officially start her position on July 1 and is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Kirby School District 140 in Tinley Park. She replaces Dr. Paul McDermott who is leaving the district at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

The Board of Education and the entire Forest Ridge School District 142 team looks forward to working with Dr. Roth, ensuring that Children Always Come First!

To read more about Dr. Roth, visit - https://www.d142.org/apps/news/article/1457350

2021 Forest In Bloom Award Nominations Now Open

The Forest In Bloom Beautification Awards are presented annually by the City of Oak Forest Streetscape Commission to Oak Forest residents, businesses and organizations who take the extra steps necessary to beautify their homes and properties through exceptional landscaping. If you notice a home or business where pride of ownership really shines through, be sure to submit a nomination form.

Click here to fill out the form online to enter your nomination for this year's award consideration.

Click here to enter your nomination via paper form for this year's award consideration.

About the Awards Process

All residents or business owners are eligible to nominate themselves or another home, business or organization. An address must be included on the application form.

A nominee must earn 25 points to receive a Forest In Bloom Award. When awarding points, judges consider the visual appeal of the front yard landscaping; the maintenance of lawn, bushes, shrubs, and flower beds; and the use of accessories (gazing balls, fountains, statues, etc.). Back yards will not be considered as part of the award selection.

The selection committee is comprised of seven judges—one for each ward. In order to remain impartial, judges do not live in the wards they are critiquing. Also, a new judging panel is chosen each year. A nomination form must be submitted on behalf of a home or property in order to be considered for an award.

Purchase Vehicle Stickers Through July 31, 2021

The 2021-2022 Vehicle Stickers are on sale now through July 31st. The link to purchase is: Oak Forest Vehicle Sticker V-Pay.

Please reference the "VEHICLE ID" number on your pre-printed application when purchasing a vehicle sticker(s) online at www.oak-forest.org.

City Hall is open to the public, but we encourage people to wear face coverings while interfacing with city employees. Thank you!

Human Resources Manager Position

The Human Resources Manager is responsible for developing, organizing, planning, and implementing the city’s comprehensive human resources program.

The Human Resources Manager is a department head level position responsible for leadership, management and supervision of Human Resources related programs. The Human Resources Manager reports to the City Administrator.

The work involves a variety of tasks associated with the city’s Human Resources function. The position takes responsibility for management of the worker’s compensation insurance program, property and casualty insurance program, health insurance program, training programs, city safety program and works closely with the City Administrator on the city’s risk management portfolio.

For complete listing and instructions on how to apply, please go to the Employment Opportunities Page on www.oak-forest.org.

Metra Plans Service Enhancements as Ridership Returns from Pandemic

With ridership steadily increasing from pandemic lows, Metra will be adding service to all of its lines starting in July and will introduce enhanced pilot schedules on four lines with more off-peak options to meet the post-COVID needs of riders.

New pilot schedules will start July 12 on the UP North, BNSF and Metra Electric lines and July 19 on the Rock Island Line. In response to riders’ evolving needs and global best practices, the pilot schedules step away from pre-pandemic schedules that prioritized peak rush-hour service in favor of a more balanced approach that spreads out the service to offer better off-peak options. The schedules also have been reimagined with more memorable timetables and service patterns.

The pilot schedules for the four lines can be viewed now at metrarail.com. On the remaining seven lines, Metra will be enhancing rush-hour service; those schedules will be posted over the next several weeks. On some of those lines – where the infrastructure allows it – Metra may introduce similar pilot schedules in the future.

2020 Water Quality Report

The City of Oak Forest 2020 Water Quality Report is intended to provide you with important information about your drinking water and the efforts made by the Oak Forest water system to provide safe drinking water.

For more information regarding this report, contact: Oak Forest Water Department 708-535-4090.

Oak Forest City Council Meeting

The next Oak Forest City Council Meeting will be held on June 22, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Click on the image below to view the previous City Council Meeting from June 8, 2021.

OAK FOREST BROADCAST NETWORK AIRS MEETINGS LIVE

Residents are invited to attend the meeting (must wear a mask and practice social distancing) or you can watch live on CIC-TV at www.oak-forest.org/live or on one of the following television channels:

AT&T U-verse - Channel 99
Comcast Xfinity - Channel 4
Wide Open West - Channel 6

If you do not subscribe to cable television, visit oak-forest.org/broadcast to learn more about the Oak Forest Broadcast Network.

CITIZENS PARTICIPATION

The Oak Forest City Council invites public comment at its meetings, but it generally does not have the ability to provide an immediate response to some questions raised during the Citizens Participation portion of a council meeting without some reasonable opportunity to review them. Therefore, the City Council encourages questions to also be submitted in writing in the event that they need to be referred to City staff to help assure a more thoughtful and informed response. The Council Chambers is open for the public to attend. Social distancing must be maintained by attendees.

Here is the link to the most recent meeting: June 8, 2021 City Council Meeting