Oak Park’s administrative departments, including human resources, finance, information technology, the village clerk’s office and the village manager’s office, are asking for more money in 2025. Law was the only department to have a slight decrease in its budget.
The operating departments, including police, public health, public works, fire, development services and neighborhood services also asked for more money in 2025. Interim Chief Financial Officer Donna Gayden will present the full budget to the village board on Nov. 19. Trustees are expected to approve a finalized version Dec. 3.
Human Resources
The Human Resources Department works to empower village employees and bolster recruitment and retention efforts. The proposed budget for this department in 2025 is $1.042 million, up slightly from $1.023 million in 2024.
Changes to the budget include an increase in health insurance expenses, advertising efforts and external support. It also includes a decrease in temporary service costs and unemployment insurance payments.
Human Resources Director Kira Tchang said that in 2025 the department hopes to focus on recruitment and retention efforts for numerous available roles in the village like entry level police officers and firefighters.
“We are estimating that we will have a maybe slightly higher than average hiring cycle in ‘25,” she said.
Other goals include expanding the online learning management system, leadership training, expanding employee wellness initiatives and supporting other departments with programs related to the alternative response to calls for service and unhoused population.
Village Clerk’s Office
The Village Clerk’s Office, run by Village Clerk Christina Waters, works to keep official records and facilitate public participation in government. This office records all village board meetings, maintains records like minutes and ordinances and ensures compliance with the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act.
The proposed budget in 2025 is about $320,000, up from roughly $287,000 in 2024. That’s mainly due to an increase in salaries and benefits.
In 2025, Waters said the department will continue to provide notary services and voter registration accessibility. They’ll offer programs to promote health and wellness, collaborate with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, engage with youth and encourage civic participation.
Trustee Lucia Robinson said 2024 was a “banner year” for the clerk’s office. The 2024 accomplishments, including voter registration services, multi-cultural event coordination, neighborhood clean-up event and junior deputy clerk program are just a few examples.
Robinson said she loves the junior deputy clerk program, where an elementary student spends a half-day with Waters and takes the roll call at a village board meeting.
“[That’s] not quantifiable, but so highly valuable,” she said. “I want each one of those girls to know that they could grow up and actually sit at this board table.”
Trustee Cory Wesley wondered if the office might be able to sponsor an internship program, and Waters said she’d like that, too.
Village Manager’s Office
Adjudication
The adjudication division within the Village Manager’s Office conducts administrative hearings addressing parking citations and code compliance violations. The department also manages juvenile adjudication, seeking nonpunitive outcomes like community service.
The 2025 recommended budget is about $639,000, up from about $603,000 in 2024. The increase is largely due to an about $19,000 increase in “external support” services, according to Deputy Village Manager Ahmad Zayyad.
Priorities in 2025 include starting youth defense adjudication hearings, increasing service opportunities for youth, providing more training for judges and providing mediation services to resolve resident disagreements.
Communications
The communications division, led by Chief Communications Officer Dan Yopchick, works to provide “timely, transparent and relevant information,” to help foster a connected community.
In 2025, the department is asking for about $851,000, a slight bump from about $829,000 in 2024. Increases relate to salaries, civic engagement curriculum and external support.
Yopchick explained priorities for the department next year, including launching an “Oak Park 101” curriculum for residents to learn about the village’s history and services, continuing citizen engagement through tools like Engage Oak Park and updating technology.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works to champion diversity, advance racial equity and social justice and foster inclusion, said Danielle Walker, the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.
“[It’s] important with DEI that we do remain committed to how we’re growing, learning, reflecting and engaging,” she said.
The proposed budget for 2025 is about $916,000, a significant increase from about $695,000 in 2024. Those increases are due to $100,000 needed for language access services, $70,000 for a reparations study and the cultural competency speaker series, and $45,000 more for special events.
Walker said goals for 2025 include completing a racial equity action strategic plan, reviewing policies and procedures, finalizing reparations research, expanding renter support, and developing a “Will You Be My Neighbor?” trainer series to educate the community on inclusive practices.
Sustainability
The Sustainability and Resiliency Office is expected to guide implementation of the Climate Ready Oak Park plan through partnerships with other departments and organizations.
The division is asking for about $1.2 million in 2025, up from $1.045 million in 2024. Increases include the energy efficiency grant program, building energy use efforts, biodiversity work and climate plan administration.
Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsey Roland Nieratka said 2025 goals include transitioning gas equipment to electric, increasing municipal aggregation, increasing green infrastructure and bringing back Earth Day celebrations.
Trustees also discussed the possibility of upping the 10-cent tax on plastic bags in stores to further encourage residents to use reusable ones.
Finance
The Finance Department works to ensure proper use of taxpayer dollars and reduce costs where possible. Gayden proposed a budget of $11.2 million for this department, up from $10.9 million in 2024.
In 2025, Gayden said the department will work to amend the property tax levy policy, create a long-term financial plan and conduct a comprehensive review of village fees. She also said she plans to hire a budget manager.
Information Technology
This department is an internal service provider to village staff, assisting with things like software, data backup, facility access and video. The proposed budget for 2025 is $1.689 million, up only slightly from $1.687 million in 2024.
Alvin Nepomuceno, the information technology director, said the department’s priorities for next year include implementing and open data service, helping the police and fire departments install new record management systems, working on Cloud backups and installing Office 365.
Law
The law department provides legal services to the village. In 2025, its proposed budget at about $917,000 is slightly decreased from 2024 at about $919,000.
Priorities in 2025 include maintaining legal services, working in-house when possible and adding an additional attorney to the staff.
Trustees are expected to review the full budget Nov. 19.