We have heard an unconfirmed rumor that Oak Park’s infamous “Living Wage” ordinance will come up for consideration in front of the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees as soon as July 6.  The timing for consideration is… curious.

We’ve written previously about the ordinance and again about the first time Oak Park’s Village Board considered it.  And for those of our readers who may not remember what we’re talking about, here is a link of the original draft legislation.  We wonder, again, at the timing for consideration… just after everyone comes back from the July 4 holiday – with a Board meeting on the 6th?  What are they (whomever “they” are) are hiding?  Who ever is driving the agenda, they are certainly being clever in their timing and ingenious with their camouflage.

DON’T SAY THAT YOU WERE NOT WARNED!

Update Wednesday July 7, 2010

The Oak Park Village Board effectively killed the proposed “Living Wage Ordinance” at their July 6^th meeting.

Four Village Trustees (Jon Hale, John Hedges, Jan Pate, Ray Johnson) voted to accept the report and reject its recommendations. Village President Pope along with trustees Glenn Brewer and Colette Lueck voted to accept the report and be open to more discussions.

This vote was a clear expression that the months of negotiations and compromises by Oak Park’s Community Relations Commission, had little support among the seven members of the Oak Park village board.

Oak Park Police are urging residents to be wary of individuals distributing flyers asking for a $15 fee to have their address number painted on the curb. The flyers use a public safety scare message to imply that the numbers on the curb are important to police and fire response. The Village requires address numbers to be visible on the structure, but not on the curb.

Oak Park Residents who observe anyone distributing the flyer are urged to call 9-1-1 immediately. The solicitors, who refer to themselves as Village Curb Painters, are in violation of Village regulations that require a peddler’s license to distribute materials door-to-door.

The Oak Park Police also are warning residents not to leave payment – especially cash – for any service visible on a porch or taped to the front door, even if it is in an envelope.

For more information, call the Oak Park Police Department at 708.386.3800 or e-mail police@oak-park.us.