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Oak Park council adopts special-assessment resolutions after residents raise utility and sidewalk concerns
Summary
Council adopted Special Assessment Resolutions 9 and 10 (SADs 725–729) setting a Nov. 11, 2025 due date after a public hearing where residents described high water bills, disputed sidewalk work and requests for payment plans; staff will research exceptions and follow up.
Oak Park’s City Council voted unanimously on Monday to adopt two special-assessment resolutions—Resolution No. 9 (confirming the roles and recording temporary exceptions) and Resolution No. 10 (setting the payment due date of Nov. 11, 2025 with penalties)—covering delinquent utility, false-alarm, blight and sidewalk replacement invoices in Special Assessment Districts (SAD) 725–729.
The action followed a public hearing in which several residents described why they objected to assessments or sought help. Octavia El Shamley said she has fallen behind on utility bills while trying to restart her small food business and asked for assistance arranging payments. “I’m just asking for assistance and helping me to make the arrangement so I can get back on track,” she said.
Other speakers described a range of complaints: Jesse Miller said his lawn was mowed and charged after he had corrected the condition; Wilbert Palowski said recent sidewalk repairs were incomplete and wanted city re‑inspection; William Holiday requested an extension on a pavement bill; Karen Barry said water bills had grown “ridiculously high” and described difficulty catching up after falling behind.
Council member Julie Edgar noted the scale of unpaid balances: “It’s pretty remarkable that we have about $700,000 owed to the city for unpaid utility bills and false alarms and blight tickets… [and] over $300,000 of that is sidewalks,” she said, and urged staff to consider how the city can make assistance easier to access.
City staff and the clerk read written objections into the record and told speakers each case will be researched; staff said those who wrote in or appeared at the hearing would be temporarily removed from the roles while staff investigate exceptions. After discussion the council approved the resolutions by roll call; council members Edgar, Crawford, Mayor Mlullen and Mayor Pro Tem Tim Whitehead all voted yes.
City officials pointed residents to payment-plan and utility-assistance resources on the city website and said staff will report back at the next meeting with recommendations on specific exceptions raised during the hearing.
