[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6631478,"mediaKeyId","2679795-2d49f23d4028b384ea08ebbb8b4bd579","parentId",2679795,"title","Oak Park board opens discussion on mobile food vendor rules after business complaints; staff to draft ordinance options","audioSeconds",465,"startMs",2825000,"endMs",3290000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679795-2d49f23d4028b384ea08ebbb8b4bd579&start=2825&end=3290","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679795-2d49f23d4028b384ea08ebbb8b4bd579/thumbnail_2825000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631478/Oak-Park/Cook-County/Illinois/Oak-Park-board-opens-discussion-on-mobile-food-vendor-rules-after-business-complaints-staff-to-draft-ordinance-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631478-b1478271d02da8cc0429e075b27bbf98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191509&Signature=lfObwtXyx7DnQO-u8GzZvpJN8i-7lUcet0NgXONEGkaAlpvcsqDnvccxA2dHGJGkU0I-KtspOinO9Gw1RC9v5ORglIEBLd~U4V9AWDK-355ef2ubnYR4CLQadR-w5ALkqwQZ6U32PTA~zwXHTpdEdes~bdLmgk9kNtd5BjccRfC~mJ34GaV2RnebOjqYinqe71yZEyUYOrb9YAE1hjEoQyRuNtS08eqX53wuei0eGeXpQeFX~EB2bHwjXZSOyEz~DMOMYJYm2-B9lQL4DqCxvPFe8yy8w8guypZisSfz6aSdqs~2pV8oSzsqGP~gelin4xzxd~IHqWld17wadXlarw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oak Park","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Oak Park Village Board held a discussion—no ordinance vote—on potential amendments to the village's rules for mobile food vendors after a local business owner said a food truck had been stationary near her storefront and was undercutting sales.

Trustee Pericott moved, and Trustee Robinson seconded, a motion to open discussion on current regulations and possible amendments. Staff presented background and three preliminary options for the board to consider: require mobile food vendors operate at least 250 feet from existing food-and-drink establishments; designate specific areas in the village where mobile vendors may operate; or prohibit non-event mobile vending within defined business districts. Staff indicated the options apply only to non-event vending; special-event permitting would remain separate.

Naomi Diaz, administrative officer for Development Services, summarized current requirements: vendors must hold a health inspection by the village Health Department, comply with parking rules and not obstruct rights-of-way, and maintain an active business license. She said business-license fees are based on the number of required health inspections determined by the health department. Diaz said staff researched about 18 neighboring communities and that designated-area approaches had been explored previously.

Business owner Carla Linares described operating a brick-and-mortar business in Oak Park for more than 20 years and urged the board to adopt rules that create a level playing field. She asked the board to adopt a 250-foot buffer from existing food and beverage establishments, designate specific vendor areas and restrict vending in core commercial corridors such as Madison Street. Linares said a food truck had been parked near her storefront for about three months and that the owner refused to move when asked.

Trustees discussed practical considerations and enforcement issues. Several trustees expressed support for a buffer of some distance from brick-and-mortar restaurants but sought specificity to avoid banning vendors from areas that lack commercial service. Trustees asked staff to explore waste-disposal plans (for grease and food waste) similar to regulations some communities use, mapping to show the effect of a 250-foot buffer in downtown and other commercial corridors, and carve-outs for municipal or event lots (for example, Lot 10) where vendors could be permitted or leased space for limited seasons.

Other options trustees suggested staff analyze when drafting ordinance language included limiting the time a vendor may remain in a single spot (hours or maximum duration), hours-of-operation restrictions, and targeted prohibitions only when the vendor sells substantially the same menu as an adjacent business. Trustees cautioned against overly granular food-type definitions for enforcement reasons and asked that staff return with an ordinance that tries to strike a balance between protecting long-standing brick-and-mortar investments and supporting mobile food entrepreneurs.

The board did not vote on new regulations at the meeting. Staff said they will come back with draft ordinance language, a map showing buffer impacts, options for designated vending areas, special-event permitting clarifications, and possible rules for waste disposal and enforcement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oak Park - President and Board of Trustees on 2025-03-18 7:00 PM - Mar 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees discussed possible changes to Oak Park's mobile food vendor rules after a local business owner said a stationary food truck was undercutting her restaurant; staff presented three preliminary options and will return with draft ordinance language.","taxTitle","Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",5134,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631482,"Oak Park delays municipal campus police station discussion; board asks staff for refined costs and schedule",413,2025000,2438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679795-2d49f23d4028b384ea08ebbb8b4bd579&start=2025&end=2438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679795-2d49f23d4028b384ea08ebbb8b4bd579/thumbnail_2025000.jpg","/articles/6631482/Oak-Park/Cook-County/Illinois/Oak-Park-delays-municipal-campus-police-station-discussion-board-asks-staff-for-refined-costs-and-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631482-6d79d5743b2233704408d5de92c42e42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191509&Signature=KquEZYZeg7vpOnEJL2rWEkC2Ff9~Tqvm9oa~TkKD3CJ6So2SHQM1oonRmExzLkuKSd1Dl-hNTdzU-YZZOsODMgPNEaGiDCU0ryd6oK0ne7ODIY4CW-KFevErhjbRQQKI8KsYkqYF08VfjusU58BKThetsCk9cxAa8XGm~Qd0VEddFt3OQcZNB0yr2kg7AlD~yO1uJFITSFswG0Yd9gbidyQ3CYYix6ApHxOmVQTcAmTPP67u1KgLlE2N-voOucBMtwo69FJvr~DBA7UHlhrXHxxs~xMnW1wV8PIbm2IMTWXGN-OTHF63YJh0lwi5pZkcwpFlEp95xCGFKwzFIODtCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village Manager Jackson told the board that staff is working to identify an alternate date in April to resume discussion of the Municipal Campus/Police Station project so trustees have sufficient time to review updated schematic designs and more refined cost information.

Jackson said the goal is to provide \"complete information\" and enough time for the public and trustees to review the revised materials before a decision. Director Sproul of Public Works was present to answer technical questions, and staff said they will return with updated cost estimates and a high-level financial analysis of the design options discussed in prior meetings.

At the meeting, several trustees said the police station is the principal cost driver and must remain a priority while balancing concerns about overall costs. President Vicki Skamen summarized the board's direction, saying members were focused on finding an approach that meets staff and community needs without \"destining our community to continuing to pay more over time.\" The board discussed phasing options for renovating Village Hall versus full replacement and noted previously cited figures: trustees and staff referenced prior cost ranges including roughly $80,000,000 for the police portion and an additional $20,000,000 to $40,000,000 for rehabilitation of Village Hall in some estimates shared during earlier discussions.

Trustees and staff discussed scheduling constraints: the board noted the new board is seated in early May and staff mentioned May 6 as the first meeting after that transition. Jackson said the requested special meeting would likely occur \"a week early\" of a regular meeting if needed, to allow sufficient time for discussion and to seek direction on a single schematic option before committing additional design funds.

No formal vote was held on the campus project at the meeting. Staff said it will return with a refined schedule and cost information and will present one preferred design variation for trustee direction.

","Village staff will reschedule the board's planned discussion on the municipal campus and police station project after members said more time is needed to review refined schematic designs and cost analyses. Trustees reiterated that the police station remains the project's priority and asked for clearer financial options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631487,"Oak Park trustees approve series of proclamations, confirm three commission appointments",2605,95000,2700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679795-2d49f23d4028b384ea08ebbb8b4bd579&start=95&end=2700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679795-2d49f23d4028b384ea08ebbb8b4bd579/thumbnail_95000.jpg","/articles/6631487/Oak-Park/Cook-County/Illinois/Oak-Park-trustees-approve-series-of-proclamations-confirm-three-commission-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631487-1073883ca82ea30023e3c74ec465c7a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191509&Signature=Rz4kzpmXTKosDB3D3ncEyFkyuoc0m8jET~sUkIfQSiX8WJCUe3pLDbX9KxftmxwhgY2AomckLmM25gp7cZ9Z8TGxAT~LHKmCfPCJXW-dy8kuDXMs-8jQaNs7K0gIihn1BqybsS2Df~acdsgSDxWlNbuCt-Oc4B0s2ggJqSXtyof5Nl9C~NWzcpKd-jLmKyy19LQAGddVDtoO60NX~FWZKwQLFJx3vh1trG82qu--T6vBs10o4~INybYaPdxPoW4OtwGLZCitPMmDXw3SVl0WYw89gbomk~ev5LmrMzAAZDAIXU93npEFWbvOgd32UsXRWl50znMUxZ2EuWpYonPGZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oak Park Village Board approved a series of proclamations honoring Fire Chief Ronald Kobaleski and designating multiple April observances, and confirmed three commission appointments during the village board meeting in Oak Park.

The board unanimously approved a proclamation honoring Fire Chief Ronald Kobaleski on the occasion of his retirement after more than 40 years with the department. Chief Kobaleski addressed the board and public, calling the experience \"a fantastic 40 year, really,\" and thanked the board and the community for their support.

The board also approved proclamations designating Arbor Day and Earth Month in April; National Community Development Week; Black Maternal Health Week; Arab American Heritage Month; Dr. Percy L. Julian Day (April 11); Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31) with a related public celebration; and National Volunteer Week. Clerk Waters read several proclamations onto the record and the village posted them on its website for public viewing.

Public comment accompanied some of the recognitions. Speakers who addressed the board during or immediately after the proclamations included residents and community members who thanked the board and described local events tied to the proclamations. During the Trans Day of Visibility portion of the agenda, multiple residents and parents described Oak Park as a welcoming community for transgender residents and invited others to local visibility events.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included three appointments: Cheryl Wazniewski to the Community Relations Commission, Rachel Grama to the Community Relations Commission, and the reappointment of Frank Sullivan to the Plan Commission. During the roll call on the consent agenda the board recorded affirmative votes from trustees present; one trustee was recorded absent earlier in the meeting.

The board closed the agenda item with expressions of appreciation for volunteers and community organizers and moved on to other business.

Votes at a glance:
- Proclamation honoring Fire Chief Ronald Kobaleski: approved (voice vote, recorded as \"Aye\").
- Proclamation — Arbor Day (April 2025): approved (voice vote).
- Proclamation — National Community Development Week (April 2025): approved (voice vote).
- Proclamation — Black Maternal Health Week (April 2025): approved (voice vote).
- Proclamation — Arab American Heritage Month (April 2025): approved (voice vote).
- Proclamation — Dr. Percy L. Julian Day (April 11, 2025): approved (voice vote).
- Proclamation — Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31, 2025): approved (voice vote).
- Proclamation — National Volunteer Week (April 2025): approved (voice vote).
- Proclamation — Earth Month (April 2025): approved (voice vote).
- Appointments (Cheryl Wazniewski, Rachel Grama, Frank Sullivan): approved (roll call recorded as affirmative for trustees present).","The Village of Oak Park board approved proclamations honoring Fire Chief Ronald Kobaleski and recognizing several April observances, confirmed three commission appointments and passed the consent agenda at the village board meeting. Several residents spoke in support of recent proclamations, including Trans Day of Visibility.","actionData","errors"]

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Oak Park board opens discussion on mobile food vendor rules after business complaints; staff to draft ordinance options

Oak Park delays municipal campus police station discussion; board asks staff for refined costs and schedule

Oak Park trustees approve series of proclamations, confirm three commission appointments