New Oak Park police station moves forward with design process

Dan here, subbing in for Sydney Lovan who is driving cross country at the moment.

A lot of news from our villages this week.

River Forest has come out swinging against the newly proposed O’Hare Flyer which would, if it ever gets built, fly through RF every 15 minutes at 80 mph.

We’re getting our first look at renderings of a new police station for Oak Park. And as Sydney reports, the current version reflects a multi-million dollar reduction in the cost. That’s if construction starts in 2027.

Oak Park’s dime-a-bag charge in grocery stores has raised a million bucks for the village over recent years. But it hasn’t reduced the number of plastic bags in circulation. So the village is going to hike the price every year before it plans to ban the bags by 2030.

Cardinal Cupich turned up at St. Giles last weekend, more delays in opening Project 2 at OPRF and it was a sellout crowd Friday for the annual Fenwick-OPRF football matchup. Our Gregg Voss and Maribel Barrera talked to the fans in the stands. Read Gregg’s story and watch Maribel’s video of the big game.

Keep reading. We’ll keep reporting.

Dan Haley

Interim editor

The Lead

Public Works Director Rob Sproule presents to the Oak Park village board at a meeting on Aug. 25, 2026.

New Oak Park police station moves forward with design process

The police department portion of the Oak Park Municipal Campus project, which includes renovations on village hall, will remain the priority with a lower price tag than previously estimated.

Oak Park’s village board, at its meeting on Aug. 25, unanimously voted to move the project forward to allow village staff to negotiate a professional services agreement with Johnson, Lasky & Kindelin Architects Inc.

More news

Oak Park ramping up costs for single-use bags leading to full ban in 2030

The new regulations, beginning Jan. 1, 2027, will raise the fee for single-use plastic and paper bags by 5 cents until reaching a cap of 25 cents per bag and eventually a complete ban on plastic in 2030.

Proposed O’Hare Flyer train already drawing opposition from River Forest

A proposed express train that would connect downtown Chicago with O’Hare International Airport and pass through River Forest is drawing scrutiny from village officials.

Once again, OPRF pushes pool, gym opening back

The completion date for Project 2, the new physical education and athletics focused wing located in the southeast corner of the Oak Park and River Forest High School building has been pushed back once again.

St. Giles marks 100th anniversary with cardinal presiding

Sunday’s 100th anniversary mass at St. Giles Catholic Church was a celebration that viewed time in two directions. The mass, presided by Cardinal Blase Cupich, drew approximately 700 people, many who have attended the church for decades, but also younger people who have found a spiritual home there, many with children.

Oak Park turns out for OPRF-Fenwick football rivalry

To get a sense of the community importance of Friday’s high school football game between host Oak Park and River Forest and crosstown rival Fenwick, you have to start with the fans who couldn’t get into the game because it was a sellout.