Trick-or-treaters will get an extra 30 minutes this Halloween after a unanimous vote by the Oak Park village board.
At the board meeting on Sept. 29, a brief discussion was had and quickly agreed upon to make this year’s recommended hours for trick-or-treating 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Typically, the start time was 4 p.m., but President Vicki Scaman said, “my feeling is that 4 p.m. is a late start on a Saturday for our little ones who will be really ready to go out.”
Trustee Brian Straw also highlighted that this time frame is not a legal curfew or requirement for use of public space.
“This is just sort of an advisory recommendation for the hours and there’s little legal effect to this action,” said Straw.
Trustee Derek Eder proposed creating an ordinance that sets recommended hours for Halloween should the holiday fall on a weekend or weekday that would then be used every year for consistency.
Village Manager Kevin Jackson confirmed that village staff is supportive of this and would prefer to do so moving forward.