Where I discuss what is wrong with Oak Park, IL
JAYCAGO: Calling out foodies in Orlando, Florida!: Living in Chicago most of my life with a short stay in Pittsburgh early on, you think that all cities have the same restaurants, food specia…
Just reposting a blog post from someone I follow on Blogger.com/Google Plus!
Being a student of psychology, I hate to use labels and psychological terminology. But having lived and escaped from Oak Park, I swear I experience some sort of Post-Traumatic Stress whenever I come close to this town or have to drive through it. For those who may think that statement goes too far, I beg to differ.
My heartbeat accelerates, my eye begins to twitch, I sweat, I curse, and my anger is stimulated. All of this, as a result of living in Oak Park. They say that life experiences can change you. Well living in Oak Park changed me. And not for the better.
For as long as I can remember, living out south in my youth, I always looked at Oak Park, through the lenses of an immature child. The full trees, along with the manicured and immaculate lawns, almost always drew me in. Well until I actually stepped out of the car, and begin to walk and experience the streets of Oak Park.
If the stress of avoiding dog poop, like landmines that are almost everywhere are not enough, try living near elderly white women who approach other’s like it is their duty to direct the village. Or how about digesting on a daily basis the name of Ernest Hemingway or Frank Lloyd Wright, whom this town utilizes in every marketing ploy imaginable.
Having had the opportunity of living there, I also experienced the lack of parking (I had to move my car at least two or three times a day to abide by the various parking restrictions), news reports on individuals from neighboring towns (the west side of Chicago) coming to this “precious” area to break into homes or cars, or businesses opening up one day, to be shut down the next (damn I miss Falafel).
It is not the hippie-loving easy going atmosphere that I presumed it to be. It is overly congested, overly populated (with people and dogs) with know it all’s that embrace a very sheltered form of living.
The idea of “vintage” is actually a management’s office way of not updating the apartments. From my experience, painting already chipped “lead based” walls is not the same as updating the apartment. But if you like to use the word “vintage” like Oak Park almost always does, keep in mind you may have old broke down living arrangements. Thanks “Green plan management”!
There are many other great suburbs or towns to live in, that are not far from downtown. After living in Oak Park, I opted out for one of these calmer cities that do not evoke my anxiety to levels of rage. You may want to do the same or at least consider it if you are thinking “No Park” I mean “Oak Park” is the way to go.
I have been busy with the weather and enjoying it haha! When you want to enjoy the weather, of course, you have to go downtown to the beach, because there is nowhere for adults to enjoy the weather here in Oak Park, IL. I mean unless you are a freak or a perv, think about it who wants to go in shorts or a bikini to a park to “enjoy” the water selections at the local parks with all those kids around?
I mean there are tons of kids at the Lake Michigan beach but there is an understanding that adults use this beach as well. Therefore, going to a park in Oak Park, IL in a bikini is just crazy town because all the parents believe that the parks in the area are for “families” and their children, not for everyone else in this Godforsaken hellhole who pays taxes.
But the beach was amazing I did NOT take pictures however because I did not want to get jumped for my iPhone or my digital camera! Pictures of the lake or selfies are not worth getting my ass whooped by a bunch of teenagers for a phone in the heart of the city, in front of a bunch of strangers looking on, as I get smashed into the ground! Meanwhile, everyone will be thinking “she should have known better..” Ah, nope they are not getting me! But trust me it was crowded but the water was great I did shower when I got home because there is nothing like submerging yourself in a body of water that a thousand plus people are also submerged in.
It is too bad Oak Park, IL does not have the facilities to meet this type of demand, again, Oak Park, IL is losing out on another Positive business-community venture. Something that would make common sense also in the long run, but as most suburbs, they rather leave such opportunities to the major cities they are connected to and then wonder how to raise funds for next year’s budget! It is kind of hard (that’s what she said!) to get the dollars that can be made from this opportunity if you do not even try to be a part of it, or let someone else just “gangster” it.
Oh well, Oak Park sucks anyway, and I will be enjoying the sun and contaminated water of Lake Michigan in Chicago, peace out!
PS: Do not talk to me about those shitty little kiddie pools like at Ridgeland and Lake. Not what ADULTS want to swim in it all at –Thank you!
The Chicago area that includes Oak Park, IL “has the fifth-highest” out of 100 big city areas in the country with a problem with a socioeconomically issue that is racially based. A report created by the University of Illinois in Chicago “The Cost of Segregation” this report talks about how the racial lines in the Chicago land area impacts the crime rates, the businesses that are invested in those areas, and how this all impacts everyone in the area.
Now how does Oak Park, IL get involved well in all this? Well the problems of Chicago, IL does overflow into this suburb especially since they share a similar boundary of Austin Avenue. Therefore, the ideal suburb must deal with the backlash of failed policies (economic, political, etc.) of the major metropolitan body it is connected to, and denying that Oak Park, IL is being impacted by it is just absurd.
Getting worried about a Taco Bell entering the area or that the Village board selling out creating high-rises downtown, is nothing compared to everyday issues that the people in the most segregation areas dealt with on a daily basis. Their problems of low economic opportunities sometimes translate into crime, that crime does not stay in that area.
It also creeps into Oak Park, IL, ignorance is not bliss, and partnerships across the borders of Oak Park, IL in the less opportune areas could help stymied crime bleeding into this area. Even Though Oak Park, IL does not seem to have a ton of crime it is best to keep abreast of the issues that impact the area. You can read more about these issues below.
The study from UIC regarding the racial disparities: https://news.uic.edu/new-report-details-chicagos-racial-ethnic-disparities
The Chicago tonight article:
The Cost of Segregation:
I went to this “housing center” and signed up, waited, and a few people came in after me.
There was this single white chick who signed up as well (the same time I came in) and a black dude trying to fill out the paperwork (for two hours).
When it came to calling people to talk one on one about finding a place (of Course) the chick was called first after we both sat there for 45-minutes. As she was leaving I saw her Oak park area print out was of the inner Oak Park area, you know, Lake street and Ridgeland, tons of circles. I managed to see it because she was standing in our way talking on the phone about to her mum as it was our turn to go in!
When we were called and were rushed through (no sh*t) the process in about 15 minutes and given some crappy listings on Austin Avenue. Really?
The area that is borderline Chicago?
Who goes into a housing Center for Oak Park to be given listings basically in Chicago?
Well, we did not go back. Now fast forward, I get an email from them wanting to know how our search is doing “the information will help their non-profit” really? MONTHS LATER???
Plus they GAVE ME a DEADLINE to get back to them! LOL
Please pass this up and do the work.
I got me a better place on my own than with this place!
Contributor: Omir
There is another development under consideration next to “downtown” Oak Park, Il and the Downtown Oak Park Board (yeah there is such a thing) is all behind it. As this writer understands that Oak Park, Il is forcing high rise developments into its downtown area without thinking further down the road. The amount of traffic in the area is ridiculous and there are simply not enough resources (parking) to deal with the “modernization” movement that is occurring.
It maybe this movement is unstoppable however it is without through planning even though I bet the Village Planner (yes there is one of those as well) is probably wetting his willy over the thought of additional side cash coming the local government’s way. Of course, it may not be the best thing for all those involved and it may cause more problems than solutions.
Even Chicago modernized quickly after it was founded and then the Chicago fire happened, changing the landscape entirely. Maybe the “fire” here for the residents to get off their asses and see the issues brought up with all the developments and lack of village planning IS the increasing amount of traffic in the area and the higher taxes (assessments) that go with high rise developments likes this.
The article about looking realistically at the construction in Oak Park, IL click here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-park/lifestyles/ct-oak-column-sassone-tl-0518-20170511-column.html
The original article for the 18-story Albion tower click here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-park/news/ct-oak-park-downtown-tl-0504-20170502-story.html
I have always said that the village of Oak Park, IL should try to do something that is small business related to their so-called legendary heroes of Hemingway and Wright. But a Heisler Hospitality and Jim Meehan collaboration will do so, in… Chicago’s loop! They are bringing a bar that pays tribute to the architecture of Frank Floyd Wright in the loop, taking away any chance or originality on the part of anyone in Oak Park, Il coming behind them and doing right or even first.
This is a great way to bring recognition to the Wright name once again to a younger crowd who may not even pick up a history book or believe that architecture is boring as hell, this brings it up a notch. This is just in time for the Wright’s 150th birthday this way people outside of the Architecture world and Oak park, Il can learn about him and after a couple of drinks celebrate his great architecture. Plus, there is a chance to get a free tour of some of the architecture designed by Wright in Oak park, Il
Click here for the Article that talks about the Frank Lloyd wright inspired bar in the Loop:
Win three trips to some Wright designed houses in oak park, Il:
I have to try to get it together for the new Chicago Cubs season I have only seen a couple of innings of the first four games and I totally missed the ring ceremony and had to search for online. But for all the fellow Cubbie fans out there I made sure that I got the schedule right here for easy download.
Click the link here for the downloadable printable schedule: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/downloads/y2017/2017-Cubs-Schedule.pdf
I hope the Cubs go all the way again to the World Series and bring it all home again. Because I definitely love the experience and trips to Wrigleyville my home away from home (Oak Park, IL ugh).
I have to try to get it together for the new Chicago Cubs season I have only seen a couple of innings of the first four games and I totally missed the ring ceremony and had to search for online. But for all the fellow Cubbie fans out there I made sure that I got the schedule right here for easy download.
Click the link here for the downloadable printable schedule: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/downloads/y2017/2017-Cubs-Schedule.pdf
I hope the Cubs go all the way again to the World Series and bring it all home again. Because I definitely love the experience and trips to Wrigleyville my home away from home (Oak Park, IL ugh).
Okay the people of Oak Park, Il have surprised even me! After the general election, I was shocked! You actually did good and voted out at least three incumbents that were supported by the development groups turning Oak Park, IL into little Chicago. These candidates Dan Moroney and Deno Andrews won by better margins than the Village Manager Association backed candidates. Hopefully with residents like these in positions of power maybe, and I do say, maybe the village board of Oak Park, Il will get focused on issues that really concerns the residents like traffic, parking, etc., not just fleecing the downtown area to local developers.
So, this is one of those various instances that I must say KUDOS! to Oak Park, IL. I truly hope there is an atmosphere of transparency and communication as a result of this, fingers crossed. But until they get all the idiots off the village board I am not sure there will be major changes in directions or focus made.
Here is the link with the great news: http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/4-4-2017/Oak-Park-trustee-challengers-sweep-election/
