The results of the April 1 election are in, and Oak Park residents now wait to see what the future will bring.
Two major issues that dominated the recent election were the renovation or replacement of Oak Park Village Hall and the proposed construction of a new police station. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, village hall has been operating under lockdown, a policy that remains in effect today. Visitors are met at the entrance by a teller station, much like a bank, where an employee asks the nature of their visit and then directs them to another station where they wait for a department member to arrive. It’s puzzling that taxpayers are expected to fund the renovation of a building in which they can’t even step beyond the threshold — certainly not a welcoming place in this community.
The current Village Hall Council Chamber has been criticized for its lack of proper accessibility. The newly elected village board has a chance to think outside the box — why not hold board meetings at the Oak Park Main Library? It’s fully accessible, offers plenty of space for attendees, and, like village hall, is funded by Oak Park taxpayers.
One proposed site for a new police station would eliminate the only public park and open space in southeast Oak Park, the “village green.” Created in the 1970s by a forward-thinking board, the green space is still recognized as a vital community asset per the “Envision Oak Park” comprehensive study, commissioned by the village 45 years later. If the new board chooses to proceed with building a police station, they should select a site that preserves this crucial green space. More suitable alternatives include the government-owned parking lot across from village hall on the north side of Madison Street, along with adjacent properties for sale — or the long-vacant H.J. Mohr & Sons site between Maple and Harlem.
Instead of constructing a new police station, a better option would be to make better use of the existing space within village hall by relocating some police operations from the lower to the upper levels. If board meetings were moved to the main library, the Council Chambers could be incorporated into this plan as well. This approach would not only save money but also set a strong example of collaboration between local governing bodies.
Southeast Oak Park has long been neglected by the village board, and removing the only park in the area for a new police station would be a glaring example of this disregard. Another case in point is the controversial agreement between the village and the Park District of Oak Park (PDOP), which turned a residential neighborhood into a private parking lot for the Community Recreation Center. This decision has put the safety of children at risk by significantly increasing traffic volume and speed along a key walking route to school.
The decision now rests with the new village board, and I am confident they will prioritize the well-being and safety of children in southeast Oak Park while managing public funds responsibly.
Richard Willis is a former Oak Park Township Trustee and Community Mental Health Board member.