Finance committee reaches consensus to advance 2026 funding requests from arts, tourism, downtown and housing partners

The Village of Oak Park Finance Committee on an evening session reviewed five partner-agency funding requests for fiscal year 2026 and reached consensus to recommend staff draft funding agreements and ordinances for consideration by the Village Board in December.

The presentations covered the Oak Park Area Arts Council’s request to increase its Village funding from $278,000 (FY2025) to $368,875 (FY2026); Explore Oak Park and Beyond’s request for an additional $20,000 in hotel/motel/short-term rental tax support; a Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance request to increase the Special Service Area (SSA) levy from $725,000 to $750,000; Oak Park Residence Corporation’s request to raise its operating support from $42,500 to $47,500 to expand small-condominium assistance; and a placeholder request of $35,000 in support for the Oak Park Housing Authority.

The finance committee session began with Manager Jackson explaining the partner-agency review is part of the annual budget process and that staff will return to the board in December with ordinances and agreements for any funding the board approves. Craig Faylor, Development Services Director, introduced the five presenters and described the committee’s timetable for review.

Oak Park Area Arts Council Camille Wilson White, executive director of the Oak Park Area Arts Council (OPAC), outlined 2025…