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Government

Changing to meet the needs of its residents has been the hallmark of local government in Oak Forest. Founded in 1892, Oak Forest was first incorporated as a village in 1947 with a trustee-based government. Nearly 25 years later, Oak Forest became a city and the community was divided into wards with aldermen representing each ward, which were elected for the first time in 1973. The year 1972 marked the acquisition of Lake Michigan water for Oak Forest, as well as the adoption of the official motto “Pride in Our Past; Faith in Our Future.”

Today, Oak Forest is a Home Rule Community, governed under the mayor-council format. Oak Forest boasts a modern City Hall, located at 15440 S. Central Avenue (708-687-4050). Services are provided by a number of departments and staffed by highly trained professionals. Public safety is a joint responsibility between the Police Department and the Fire Department. The Police Department is comprised of 41 full-time officers, one part-time officer, one full-time animal control officer, 18 crossing guards and 12 full-time telecommunicators/clerks; while the Fire Department is equipped with 28 full-time sworn personnel and 31 part-time personnel in two stations. Working with a committed group of citizens serving as volunteers with the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency and on the Crime Prevention Commission, community initiatives such as D.A.R.E., neighborhood watch and the National Night Out Against Crime have increased participation and effectiveness.

Professional fiscal management, public works, building and inspectional services and community development make up the rest of the roster of civil servants. A number of both full-time and part-time managers and employees work together to make living in Oak Forest a truly pleasant and rewarding experience for the more than 28,000 residents in the city they serve.