Thursday, May 16, 2013
Find out how you could receive funds if your home or property was damaged because of the flooding caused by recent rainstorms.
Oak Forest residents affected by last month's flooding could be eligible for federal disaster aid, according to the city's website. Federal disaster aid through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency is now available to Illinois residents who sustained damage during extreme rainstorms throughout the state between April 16 and May 5. These funds can supplement state and local assistance, as well. Do one of the following to apply for aid: For more information about this federal aid and other flood recovery efforts, go to the City of Oak Forest's website. Coverage of the Floods on Oak Forest Patch: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Two Ways to Stay Connected to Oak Forest Patch:
Find out what streets to avoid and when with Patch's roadwork map.
Construction season is upon us, which means the possible return of the three Ds: delays, detours and disturbances. READ: City Council OKs $766K Contract for 2013 Road Program But it doesn't have to be that bad if you plan ahead. That's why Patch, along with the City of Oak Forest, will keep you updated on where and when roadwork will be happening and what you should expect. We've even mapped out the areas for you. What is it: The annual construction done on roads the city deems need the most work. When it begins: Monday, May 20 What roads are first: Work will begin on El Morro Lane, from Ridgeland Avenue to Boca Rio Drive (marked in red on the map). After that is finished, construction will move to Cedar Road, from Spruce Lane to Ridgeland…
Friday, May 10, 2013
These measures, which run through Sept. 15, limit residents' outside water use. Find out how these restrictions will affect you.
Using Lake Michigan water comes with a price, and it's not just what's in your water bill. Water conservation measures begin Wednesday, May 15, in Oak Forest, which means residents' outside water use will be limited to certain days based on their addresses, according to a city press release. READ: 7 Jobs that Make the World a Better Place Watering times will be from 7 to 11 a.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. and break down as follows: These measures were set up by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and are required by any community that uses Lake Michigan water, according to the city's website. Oak Forest receives its lake water through an agreement with the Village of Oak Lawn. “These rules apply regardless of rainfall trends and are …
Monday, May 6, 2013
Patch tells you what boards, commissions and other panels are holding public meetings. This week, the Economic Advisory Committee and Consumer Protection Commission are just two of the groups gathering.
Each week, Patch will list the various City of Oak Forest commissions, committees and other governmental bodies that are meeting over the next five days. These listings will note the top items on the agenda, as well. Meetings are held at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Under the state's Open Meetings Act, notice of public meetings and their agendas must be posted at least 48 hours in advance. Agendas and minutes from past meetings can be found at the city website. MONDAY, MAY 6 Green Steps Commission, 7 p.m.: No agenda was posted on the city's website as of Monday morning. The commission encourages community members to be more conscious of the environment, according to the site. Call 708-687-4050 for more information. TUESDAY, MAY 7 …
41.611247
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City of Oak Forest
15440 Central Ave, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/city-meetings-who-s-gathering-this-week-may-6-10
1354162
/locations/9353284
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Higher projected revenues offset the jump in spending in Oak Forest's $15.7 million budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year, which the council voted to approve last week.
Spending might be up from last year in Oak Forest's $15.7 million budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year, but so are revenues. And with a surplus of $574,000, that means the city is on target to meet its goal of a fund balance of $3.5 million by the 2016 fiscal year. The Oak Forest City Council approved the budget at its Tuesday, April 23, meeting. The city's new fiscal year begins May 1. READ: City Council OKs $766K Contract for 2013 Road Program “It is our financial policy to maintain a sufficient fund balance to protect the city against the need to reduce service levels or raise taxes due to temporary revenue shortfalls,” said city finance director Colleen Julian in a press release. “The projected surplus is moving us in the right direction…
Thursday, April 25, 2013
The city wants residents and business owners to fill out a flood damage survey in order to help the state secure federal disaster relief funds. The deadline is noon Friday, April 26. Find out what you need to do.
Did your house or business suffer damage during last week's flooding? If so, the City of Oak Forest wants to know about it immediately. The city needs residents and business owners with any flood damage to report the details and losses on the Oak Forest website by noon Friday, April 26, in order to meet state and regional deadlines, according to a press release. The collected information will be used by the State of Illinois to apply for federal aid, the release added. READ: Flooding Closes Some Oak Forest Roads; Check Out Photos of the Damage Hard copies of the flood damage survey forms can be picked up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oak Forest City Clerk's Office at City Hall, as well as anytime from the Oak Forest Police Department, the …
41.611247
-87.756273
City of Oak Forest
15440 Central Ave, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/oak-forest-needs-to-know-about-flood-damage-fast
1354162
/locations/9308443
Friday, April 19, 2013
Patch looks at Friday's forecast, as well as what streets are closed in Oak Forest and around the area. Plus, check out some of the images of the flooding locally and in the south suburbs.
The seeming nonstop rain of Thursday has subsided, but Oak Forest residents will still be dealing with the aftermath Friday. And maybe a bit more precipitation. Here's what the National Weather Service has to say about the forecast for Friday, April 19: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. As you could probably guess by the photo, Lavergne Avenue, between 153rd and 154th streets, was still closed as of late Thursday afternoon. Given the amount of water around there, it's probably a good idea to avoid that stretch of road. The following are links to stories about other street closings and Thursday's flooding: Two…
41.61415
-87.74175
Lavergne Ave & 153rd St, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/after-the-rain-what-you-need-to-know-before-your-commute
/locations/9269020
41.61232
-87.74166
Lavergne Ave & 154th St, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/after-the-rain-what-you-need-to-know-before-your-commute
/locations/9269021
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Overflow from the Midlothian and Natalie creeks has closed four roads in Oak Forest, according to a city spokeswoman. Patch will continue to update this story.
UPDATE (2:16 p.m. Thursday, April 18) Also, Gov. Pat Quinn has declared a state of emergency for Illinois because of the flooding, NBC5 Chicago reports. PHOTOS: Check Out How Pictures of the Flooding From Around the Southland --------------------------------------- Some Oak Forest roads have been closed because of flooding from heavy rains Wednesday night and throughout Thursday, according to a city spokeswoman. These roads and intersections are currently blocked off by the city, said Chrissy Maher, the public relations coordinator for Oak Forest: The flooding in these areas is the result of overflow from Midlothian and Natalie creeks, Maher said, adding that the city also has received calls from residents with flooded basements. Even …
Oak Forest's Clean Up Week begins April 22. Find out what's involved when it comes to kicking your unwanted items to the curb.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Joe Vince
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Thursday, April 18
Oak Forest takes its spring cleaning seriously. That's one way to think about the city's Clean Up Week, a way for residents to kick a variety of unwanted goods to the curb with the regular trash from April 22 to 26, according to a city press release. The program lets residents throw away just about anything on their regular trash pick-up days as long as the items or in bags or containers. Here's a look at what items are allowed and what items aren't. WHAT YOU CAN THROW AWAY WHAT YOU CAN'T THROW AWAY The Oak Forest Public Works Department also will have chipping crews picking up branches. Residents need to put them in bundles at the curb by 7 a.m. on their scheduled garbage day. Branches must follow these guidelines: Branches larger than …
41.611247
-87.756273
City of Oak Forest
15440 Central Ave, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/get-ready-for-next-week-s-citywide-spring-cleaning
1354162
/locations/9261016
Monday, April 15, 2013
The 50/50 Parkway Tree Planting Program will offset some of the costs for Oak Forest residents who want to replace trees removed because of emerald ash borer infestation.
As a way to help undo some of the damage caused by the emerald ash borer, the City of Oak Forest has set up an initiative that will let homeowners offset some of the costs of planting new trees in the parkways in front of their homes. READ: What's That Pink Dot? City Marks Trees Infested with Emerald Ash Borer for Removal The new 50/50 Parkway Tree Planting Program works like this, according to a city press release: An infestation of emerald ash borers is marked by the metallic-green beetles eating their way under the bark of ash trees, permanently damaging the trees. The beetle, which only attacks ash trees, was first sighted in Oak Forest in December 2009. In that time, the Oak Forest Public Works Department has been responsible for …
NANCY GRACE
3:28 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
Tom well said. oaks Lawn is draining our pockets...time to look elsewhere for water more ›