Community Corner

šŸŒ± Patch AM: How costly are Oak Parkā€™s proposed single-family zoning changes really?

And check out Oak Brook Artisan Market - Oakbrook Center (Sat-Sun, Oct 3-4) on the Oak Park Patch calendar

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What's up Oak Park! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How costly are Oak Park's proposed single-family zoning changes really?
  • What do Oak Park's new trick-or-treat hours mean for your family?
  • Which Oak Park private high school made Illinois' A+ honor roll?

Also on today's calendar: Oak Brook Artisan Market - Oakbrook Center (Sat-Sun, Oct 3-4) and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Rain becoming heavier; humid, with a high of 72 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Friday: Partly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 66, low: 52.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 66 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Village of Oak Park released feasibility study on single-family zoning changes (oakpark.com) — Oak Park officials have released a feasibility study showing that proposed single-family zoning changes are unlikely to spur much new multi-unit housing without major subsidies or cost reductions, and could still mean high rents. Village leaders and residents are now weighing added tools like incentives, a stronger inclusionary housing ordinance, and an ad hoc affordable housing task force as Shape Oak Park moves into its next decision-making phase.
   

2. Oak Park village board extends trick-or-treating hours (oakpark.com) — Families in Oak Park can plan for a slightly longer Halloween, as the village board unanimously extended this year's recommended trick-or-treating hours to 3:30–8 p.m. Trustees stressed the times are advisory, not a legal curfew, and may be formalized in a future ordinance to keep hours consistent when Halloween falls on weekends or weekdays.
   

3. Best private high schools in Illinois (collinsvilledailynews.com) — Families in Oak Park will be interested to know that a local private high school earned an A+ grade in a new statewide ranking of Illinois' top private schools from Niche. The list highlights enrollment sizes, student-teacher ratios, and grade levels at standout schools across the state, helping parents compare options as they consider where their teens might thrive academically and socially.
   

4. Wright Conservancy announced its annual awards (oakpark.com) — Oak Park homeowners William and Frederick Grier are being honored with a Wright Spirit Award for rescuing and restoring Frank Lloyd Wright's Lucy and George Smith House on Home Avenue, once deemed uninhabitable. Their work, along with efforts to save another Wright home in nearby Austin, will be recognized at the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy's annual awards this November.
   

5. Recruiting: 100+ New Commits Since Sunday Including 18 in 2028 HOT 100, Four in Top 10 Alone! Key Pickups for Florida, Alabama, Baylor, Stanford & More… (Sept. 30, 2026) (linedrivemedia.com) — Oak Park softball fans can cheer a local standout as Fenwick High School pitcher and utility player Sofia Kateeb, ranked No. 28 nationally in the 2028 HOT 100, verbally commits to nearby DePaul University. She says the Lincoln Park campus, supportive coaching staff, and chance to stay close to home while competing at a high level made DePaul the right fit.
   

📸 Around Oak Park

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Chicago's Southeast Side Is Rewriting the Path to Homeownership
    CHICAGO, IL — For renters watching thousands of dollars disappear every year into housing they will never own, Harbor Point at Wolf Lake is... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • CVS Health posted a job opening for Store Associate in Oak Park. Apply here.
  • Proviso Township High Schools District 209 posted a job opening for Girls Soccer - Assistant Coach (Sophomore) in Forest Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oak Park here.

Ok Oak Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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