[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6640336,"mediaKeyId","2556070-59ca183541d60ff03e1236d5ee3f4d9c","parentId",2556070,"title","Votes at a glance: appointment and liquor license approved; consent agenda passed","audioSeconds",222,"startMs",6110000,"endMs",6332000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556070-59ca183541d60ff03e1236d5ee3f4d9c&start=6110&end=6332","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556070-59ca183541d60ff03e1236d5ee3f4d9c/thumbnail_6110000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6640336/Oak-Park/Cook-County/Illinois/Votes-at-a-glance-appointment-and-liquor-license-approved-consent-agenda-passed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640336-3e881f17c1fea9c2b70c5500630234dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189515&Signature=jmgGVQP4iEBQN0HLeFH5sEROI7G8jCWtVNcoCcJpoQC6osrkYrJWrawjAVC8pp7t0rcjsWG2FhmNut0c72vH484GrYK8-9nV8iPjNQUfH4keG5zJkoNffLtN-llZ1xwjE7cn9QiS5rmvq-6VslhVD4oTYXJWzaB1Zackj7IPhJmiyKR5dHfKaZGKb6XNkk3bq1o-he7YioNc2oOzMFo4eBRKDmdsfw5aY6mBG-5AuugwaqoGJksIMC6diGVaye2mejheoSsKQiWkXHdlvxWmd7Sp4BKtFBqhhhTO31Mt6Orihe8-hMH5XXGIGoZ3N6P9qWcV1uCyWCiKDbpvAom0dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oak Park","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","At Monday's Oak Park Village Board meeting members voted on several routine items.

Thor Martin was appointed to the Citizen Police Oversight Commission. Clerk Waters called the roll and trustees voted \"yes\" (recorded individually: Trustee Enya, Trustee Strong, Trustee Buchanan, Trustee Pettigot, Trustee Robinson, Trustee Westley and President Skamman), and Martin was welcomed to the commission.

The board also adopted an ordinance creating and granting a Class B1 restaurant liquor license to Seoul Ave Corporation for the restaurant at 728 Lake Street. Applicant \"Minasong\" (introduced as the owner and chef) described plans for a Korean-focused menu and on-premises alcohol service including soju and milk tea. The Liquor Control Review Board had recommended approval. The board voted to adopt the ordinance and grant the license; the roll call vote recorded all trustees present in favor.

The meeting also approved the consent agenda by roll call (motion by Trustee Robinson, second by Trustee Enya), which included the single action on that agenda.

Votes and tally details
- Appointment of Thor Martin to the Citizen Police Oversight Commission: approved by roll call (all present voted yes).
- Ordinance granting Class B1 liquor license to Seoul Ave Corporation (728 Lake Street): approved by roll call (all present voted yes).
- Consent agenda: approved by roll call (all present voted yes).

No opposition or abstentions were recorded on these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oak Park - President and Board of Trustees on 2025-03-11 6:30 PM - Mar 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Village Board approved a citizen appointment to the Citizen Police Oversight Commission and granted a Class B1 restaurant liquor license to Seoul Ave Corporation; the consent agenda passed unanimously.","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},6640340,"Board reviews update to International Property Maintenance Code and draft parkway/native-garden rules",1150,6526000,7676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556070-59ca183541d60ff03e1236d5ee3f4d9c&start=6526&end=7676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556070-59ca183541d60ff03e1236d5ee3f4d9c/thumbnail_6526000.jpg","/articles/6640340/Oak-Park/Cook-County/Illinois/Board-reviews-update-to-International-Property-Maintenance-Code-and-draft-parkwaynative-garden-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640340-cae4fbd10056b1a8cd11e932e5b6ba5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189515&Signature=LCJnXvu7pYjn-24ASzdE85anbOPcJkQf6xEYyhCR0XhvTByhkQKDU5LTDsHRBRwdT5JtUAtKiCwTOc9j56a-6y23taukdYaZy16VhVcEwdWOWEP6QrQKp2X-2Rr9bb5lgOFxiSyb2qm2LGzo8yy2LVnF537XNeIYO0SDn0BVWW~dIAF7wNTJKqpl4ZQ74NoM2lk8d4jWe4LHi0BYgA-aRBtY-uQvWMtCrc4ZpB909y9mDMyxLTOIbOK5U1BfkX~3cHNWaS1CIzXwZTy65AqGIpk3XyUg3xen6qGooncDyFzWbn4QMEpn-eVJUYNK3m9zwL196980a6Iv3fIubUXymg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Park staff presented a study session on updating the village's property maintenance code from the 2009 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) to the 2024 edition and introduced a proposed parkway ordinance that would clarify maintenance responsibilities and explicitly allow cultivated and native gardens in public parkways without a permit.

Code Compliance Manager Tina Brown described changes in the 2024 IPMC, including updated definitions, enhanced enforcement mechanisms, and new provisions on smoke-alarm replacement and storm-shelter maintenance. The draft local amendments staff recommended would add definitions (for example, \"cultivated garden\"), clarify that the owner or the owner's designated agent is the responsible party for property compliance, and provide code-official authority for inspections and tests.

Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsay Noratka outlined the proposed parkway ordinance, which would: (1) clarify that parkway trees and shrubs remain the village forester's responsibility under the Forestry Code; (2) clarify that adjacent property owners must maintain the non-tree portions of parkways consistent with the IPMC and the new definitions; and (3) allow cultivated and native gardens within parkways without a permit, subject to sight-line and public-safety restrictions. The draft also includes outreach plans to help residents design native plantings and links to a native-plant sale program the village is supporting.

Trustees broadly supported the sustainability goals but raised several issues staff agreed to address before formal adoption. Trustee Buchanan objected to a suggested requirement on \"turf maintenance areas\" that would have prohibited bare soil areas and suggested the language risked encouraging fertilizer and pesticide use; staff said they would reword the provision to focus on safety issues such as deep ruts and other hazards rather than cosmetic turf standards. Trustees also asked staff to clarify how the cultivated/native-garden definitions would interact with the code's weed-height standard (plants over eight inches) and whether the village would enforce no-mow initiatives such as \"No Mow May.\" Staff said enforcement practice (education first, escalation for repeat noncompliance) would guide field work and that they would propose clearer code text and an outreach plan so property owners, neighbors and enforcement staff share a common understanding.

Board members asked that the draft tie parkway sight-line limitations to the village's Vision Zero and public works standards; staff said Public Works and the forester had been involved in drafting and that staff will cross-check the sight-line language with Vision Zero guidance.

Staff said the Building Code Advisory Commission recommended adoption of the 2024 IPMC in April 2024 and that the village conducted outreach in January and hosted an open house for building owners and managers. Staff will revise the draft to reflect board direction (turf language, cultivated/native-garden definitions, enforcement/No Mow May guidance and sight-line cross-checks) and return the ordinance to the board for formal consideration at a future regular meeting.","Staff proposed adopting the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code and a new parkway ordinance to allow cultivated and native gardens without permits; trustees raised questions about turf maintenance language, enforcement discretion, No Mow May and sight-line safety.",{"_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},6640344,"Oak Park holds first reading on ordinance to restrict sale of intoxicating hemp and kratom to under-21",976,4085000,5061000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556070-59ca183541d60ff03e1236d5ee3f4d9c&start=4085&end=5061","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556070-59ca183541d60ff03e1236d5ee3f4d9c/thumbnail_4085000.jpg","/articles/6640344/Oak-Park/Cook-County/Illinois/Oak-Park-holds-first-reading-on-ordinance-to-restrict-sale-of-intoxicating-hemp-and-kratom-to-under-21","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640344-e3a3b34e7b5a0a353a9853e8b3b5fe89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189515&Signature=kz5ioT0zpmq4Evu9SI9vjvmh1Fy6jgStfw-0Ugh~9CqG3Q6ZxNKWShPWoPNwiWvI3usmjcuMJ0CbOIm6jUN5z7ht86iSPgCZ7Zyr~7~sSFcgyY~1vCE8kQ9g03CtlUBvwSG-LU0ue7OAhf9FuuJzIrIDf3b4a5zcljF0~8g0XBhM~LdkXfTtuybmiK56OZJze3CpPElYSZvwXSExXzOoWWprQhep2lvPEy7LOBOtwgnvxRzd7gc3NsK21H0wNXkJmFc5gh7-tErI4-lzdHx8rLsl8KDlZJkWRk68w9MDatjPRtT-6Cd2RS3vzZ07p-xo~wbIfV56e4B8OS5c8a1~tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oak Park Village Board on Monday conducted a first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of intoxicating hemp products and kratom to persons under age 21, require point-of-sale signage and limit packaging that could appeal to children.

Public Health Director Greg Olsen introduced the draft as a local regulation in advance of pending state-level action; Olsen said the draft also would require that intoxicating hemp products be kept behind a service counter, and that packaging not \"resemble other products\" commonly consumed by children (for example, candies or snack items). The draft includes a June 1 enforcement commencement date, giving staff time to develop licensing, signage, education and enforcement protocols.

The item drew public comment and a robust board discussion. Dr. Janice Makala, an Oak Park physician working in palliative care and geriatrics, urged the board to act to limit youth access and to curb products designed to \"entice kids\" with candy-like packaging. Another resident argued for stronger signage, a special seller license with fees large enough to fund enforcement, explicit penalties, and regular compliance checks including periodic sting operations.

Trustees debated how to balance clear enforceable standards with the practicalities of administration and business compliance. Trustee Straw said he supported restrictions but asked staff to tighten packaging language to avoid vagueness and unintended consequences for lawful products such as legally sold cannabis edibles in licensed dispensaries. Village Attorney Greg Smith and staff said the draft packaging provisions drew on state bills from the last General Assembly and that staff would refine the language to avoid applying limitations to a product's edible form rather than its package.

Trustees also pressed for stronger, explicit penalties for sales to minors and asked whether the standard village adjudication penalties (a $50 minimum up to $750 per violation under the village code) were sufficient. Staff said the village typically pursues compliance first and escalates fines and disciplinary steps where sellers repeatedly violate rules; revocation or suspension of a business license also is available under the code. Several trustees urged a higher fixed penalty for sales to minors, with progressive penalties or license suspension for repeat offenses; staff said they would return with options.

Board members also asked staff to develop enforcement details before the ordinance takes effect, including whether enforcement should be mainly complaint-driven, or include proactive stings similar to underage tobacco and alcohol checks. Staff said licensing inspectors and Development Services staff had already begun outreach and visits to licensed businesses that might sell hemp products and that any remaining outreach would be completed before the enforcement date if the ordinance is adopted.

The board approved the first reading and will consider adoption after a second reading (staff said the ordinance was expected to return for consideration on March 18). If adopted as drafted, staff would use the period before June 1 to finalize licensing and enforcement procedures, produce mandatory signage language and educational materials for sellers and the public, and coordinate any sting operations or proactive compliance checks.

Speakers at the meeting emphasized different priorities: public health and youth protection, predictable and administrable enforcement language, and the need to avoid unintentionally penalizing responsible businesses. Directors said staff will return with revised packaging and penalty language and an enforcement plan that may include proactive compliance checks and education for sellers.","The Village Board advanced a first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit sales of intoxicating hemp and kratom products to anyone under 21, set signage and packaging restrictions, and direct staff to develop enforcement, licensing and education plans with a proposed enforcement start date of June 1.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6640348,"Oak Park reviews municipal aggregation, community solar as contract renewal nears",1376,658000,2034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556070-59ca183541d60ff03e1236d5ee3f4d9c&start=658&end=2034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556070-59ca183541d60ff03e1236d5ee3f4d9c/thumbnail_658000.jpg","/articles/6640348/Oak-Park/Cook-County/Illinois/Oak-Park-reviews-municipal-aggregation-community-solar-as-contract-renewal-nears","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640348-de624b78ed22a9eaa3a108d8cce7d33e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189515&Signature=m2eTxVZpbQJ7WUkYKcwvRzOxoYw1hvyF4rTT0jYhSsmpDyJ0dybDO5n0RubDWXWg86pWDlIJ8owBtoIViIny8amQjIEeVHxaZpp3BjOgJORv-OBhBx47J4OUbsfNgDOMKsV1vSQSks039XitZvCK7EV6IjIZYqJj3Prp0KOAgRRS6SMAiNMj8q2yReNousaNiXmeEWt0tS4vOFLxyrWrh2Q~KgE30~iwGpBKB3cWC9k0iiIhWp9lGrU0o6FEHQHbmcGtSU87IGZ6~0bdbpwZFnaKn~nhtzzoWaIUkPWvbLTb6lmefU~AHGI3-jQIKV~M5WSl-X36eDQeKz~hyhnMjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Park village staff and energy consultants on Monday briefed the Village Board on the status of the village's municipal aggregation and community solar programs and recommended preparing now for a contract renewal that expires in December 2025.

The presentation, led by Mark Pruett of the Illinois Community Choice Aggregation Network and Sharon Allegato of MC Squared (MC2), outlined how Oak Park's municipal aggregation 2 model works, current participation and the link between market prices, account participation and the village's civic contribution from its supplier contract.

The update matters because the village receives municipal contributions from its aggregation contract that fund sustainability programs. Under the current MC2 contract the village receives a base $2,500 per month (the minimum for 5,000 accounts) plus $0.50 per account above that minimum; since December 2018 the program has contributed roughly $1.8 million in total to the village, staff said.

MC Squared reported that the eligible portfolio is about 25,000 accounts (residential and small commercial) representing about 180 million kilowatt-hours annually. The aggregation currently serves almost 12,000 accounts — about 49% of the eligible load — equivalent to roughly 88 million kWh. Community solar has about 398 Oak Park subscribers across eight projects, MC2 said.

Pruett and Allegato told the board that higher wholesale and capacity prices expected this summer and continuing into 2027–2028 are likely to increase the number of accounts that MC2 or another retail supplier can serve under aggregation 2, which would raise the village's civic contribution under the current per-account formula. \"An increase in the number of accounts means more civic funds,\" Pruett said.

Allegato noted that community solar subscriptions have typically let residents retain about 20% of the monthly bill credit; she said state incentives are scheduled to step down and that retained consumer shares may fall toward 10% over time. She also said improvements in ComEd's billing system could allow single-bill crediting (so subscribers receive credits on their ComEd bill without a second payment to the solar developer), which she said would make participation easier and could accelerate enrollment.

Board members asked several operational and contract questions. Trustee questions focused on MC2's profit margins per account, whether the village could revisit the civic contribution formula (per-kWh vs. per-account), and whether outreach could increase participation. MC2 declined to disclose profit margins on the record without checking proprietary or contractual confidentiality limits; the company said it would take that question back to management and respond through staff. Village staff agreed to review the contract confidentiality language and, as requested by trustees, to provide the board a copy of the contract and analysis of potential revenue outcomes if market prices change.

Staff told the board it will run the next opt-out cycle in the coming weeks and expected to mail about 3,500 opt-out notices this week; MC2 said historical opt-out rates average about 5–10% and staff said the additional mailings should increase the number of accounts served and thus the monthly civic contribution in coming months.

Several trustees asked staff to consider negotiating a larger share of supplier margins or returning to a per-kWh civic contribution if market conditions make that approach more favorable. Mark Pruett said the village and its advisor typically solicit pricing for both aggregation models in future solicitations to give the village options.

Action items: staff and MC2 said they will provide follow-up material to the board, including (1) clarification on contractual confidentiality about profit-margin disclosure; (2) projected civic-contribution scenarios tied to rising ComEd rates and expected increases in served accounts; and (3) a report back on outreach options to increase enrollment. No vote was taken at the presentation, which staff said is preparatory for the contract renewal process this year.

The board will consider contract renewal options and any recommended ordinance or contract changes later this year as the village moves toward a solicitation and renewal for the December 2025 contract expiration.","Village staff and consultants briefed the Village Board on municipal aggregation and community solar performance, market outlook and outreach; staff said the village's current aggregation contract expires December 2025 and recommended preparing for renewal and additional outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: appointment and liquor license approved; consent agenda passed

Board reviews update to International Property Maintenance Code and draft parkway/native-garden rules

Oak Park holds first reading on ordinance to restrict sale of intoxicating hemp and kratom to under-21

Oak Park reviews municipal aggregation, community solar as contract renewal nears