The Village of Oak Lawn Board of Trustees adopted the villages 2025 municipal budget during its regular meeting Tuesday, Dec. 10, approving a package of ordinances and contracts while voting to table a proposed reimbursement agreement with Advocate Christ Medical Center.

The budget passed as part of the consent agenda and includes no increase to the villages property tax levy for the coming year, a measure trustees and staff said maintains the village portion at about 11% of a typical property tax bill. Board members also committed additional money to pension funding and to capital and infrastructure projects.

The board and multiple trustees praised village staff for the budget work during the meeting. Trustees noted the budget increases pension contributions above prior levels; meeting remarks included two figures cited by trustees: an additional pension contribution in the $3.6 million to $3.8 million range this year and a total pension contribution figure of about $15.6 million for the year (the board had originally budgeted about $12 million). The final budget as adopted includes allocations for infrastructure and capital improvements: trustees referenced roughly $1.2 million for infrastructure projects and roughly $2.5 million for capital equipment in the coming year.

Votes on the consent agenda also approved several code and rate changes listed in the agenda. The ordinances and resolutions approved by roll call address water and sewer rates, ambulance fee changes, 2025 budget adoption, the 2024 tax levy and related levy abatement language for outstanding bond series, and contract awards for tree trimming and grass cutting. The board approved waivers of competitive bidding for certain emergency communications and billing service arrangements included on the consent agenda.

Votes at a glance (consent items approved unless noted):
- Ordinance 24-21-74: front-yard variation approval for 5441 W. 90th Place (Appeals Board recommendation 6-0) — approved.
- Ordinance 24-21-75: amending Title 9, Chapter 4, Article B, Section 9-4-b-2 (water rates and charges) — approved.
- Ordinance 24-21-76: amending Title 9, Chapter 4, Article B, Section 9-4-b-3 (sewer rates and charges) — approved.
- Ordinance 24-21-77: amendments to Village Code relative to ambulance service fees — approved.
- Ordinance 24-21-78: amendment to the 2024 municipal budget to provide additional police and fire pension funding — approved.
- Ordinance 24-21-79: adoption of the 2025 Village of Oak Lawn municipal budget — approved.
- Ordinance 24-21-80: levy and assessment of taxes for tax year 2024 (collectible in 2025) — approved.
- Ordinance 24-21-81: authorizing abatement of levy for multiple bond series (listed on agenda) — approved.
- Ordinance 24-21-82: amendments to the water use and consumption tax rate and deposit procedures — approved.
- Resolution 24-21-86: contract with Smitty's Tree Service, Inc. for 2025 pruning/removal ($435,200) — approved.
- Resolution 24-21-87: contract with Cimar Landscaping LLC for 2025 grass cutting/edging ($84,900) — approved.
- Resolution 24-21-88: release of certain executive session minutes — approved.
- Resolution 24-21-90: termination of billing services agreement with Andrews Medical Billing Ltd. — approved.
- Ordinance 24-21-91 / related resolution(s): termination of billing services agreement with Fire Recovery USA and approval of Paramedic Billing Services, Inc. (waiver of bidding) — approved.
- Resolution 24-21-93: purchase and installation of emergency command consoles and dispatch equipment for Oak Lawn Regional Emergency Communications 911 Center — approved, not to exceed $332,854.40.

The board removed Resolution 24-21-89 (a proposed reimbursement agreement with Advocate Christ Medical Center concerning ambulance and other fire department services) from the consent vote and subsequently voted to table that item for further consideration.

The village clerk presented Disbursement Resolution 2024-21D in the amount of $11,772,116.28; the board voted to approve payment of the bills by roll call.

During discussion, the village manager reported the village expects a possible S&P credit rating upgrade to be announced; the manager did not present a confirmed rating at the meeting but indicated staff expected notice imminently. Trustees repeatedly commended staff for holding the villages levy steady while funding pensions and infrastructure needs.

The board concluded the public portion of the meeting and voted to enter executive session to review closed minutes and pending litigation. No further substantive policy decisions were recorded in public session after the votes described above.