When residents speak but government doesn’t listen, is that really democracy?
Imagine living on Harvard Street for decades, enjoying your neighborhood and relying on street parking for family gatherings, school events, religious services, and everyday life. Then, seemingly overnight, parking disappears — not because residents requested it, but because village officials prioritized a bicycle network.
Welcome to Oak Park’s Home Rule government.
Home Rule gives trustees broad authority to make decisions without direct voter approval. But legal authority is not public consent. We elect representatives, not kings.
For over a year, Harvard residents have challenged the Bike Plan’s design — not because we oppose cycling or safety, but because both can co-exist with neighborhood accessibility.
Instead, approximately 900 parking spaces along Harvard have reportedly been eliminated or restricted, affecting residents, schools, parks, the pool, religious institutions, and visitors. For older adults, people with disabilities, and families transporting children or pets, parking isn’t merely convenience. It’s access to community life.
I support bicycle safety, fiscal responsibility, and evidence-based decisions. Oak Park has invested in cycling infrastructure for years. We’ve seen plenty of promotional campaigns, but where is the measurable evidence of improved safety?
And why require permanent parking restrictions when finding a space already feels like searching for a needle in a haystack?
Reasonable alternatives exist. Replace Harvard’s “No Parking Anytime” signs with time-of-day or seasonal restrictions, protecting school commuting hours while restoring parking when appropriate. Or return Harvard to its original Bicycle Boulevard design.
That’s not anti-bike. That’s sensible planning.
Across America, citizens rally under “No Kings,” demanding accountability. Yet Oak Park residents spend months attending meetings, writing trustees, and proposing alternatives, only to discover that 3 minutes at a microphone may be their only meaningful influence.
Democracy requires more than allowing residents to speak. It requires listening — and sometimes changing course.
Before the April 2027 election, trustees can demonstrate that public participation matters. Revisit Harvard Street. Restore parking flexibility. Show residents their voices matter.
The question isn’t whether Oak Park has the authority to impose this plan. It’s whether our elected officials have the willingness to listen — and act.
Kurtis Todd
Oak Park