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Oak Park Business Districts and the BAC
Our communities have many different business districts, reflecting the diversity and characters of our neighborhoods. The map to the right (courtesy of OPEDC) shows the various business districts in Oak Park. Most districts have organized merchants associations, which organize events and advocate on behalf of their business areas.
Businesses are encouraged to engage with their local district associations to ensure access to important information relevant to their businesses. The business district leaders also gather at Village Hall on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 8am - 9:30am for the Business Association Council (BAC) meeting. This meeting, which is open to all businesses and business district representatives, serves as an important platform for the exchange of information between neighboring districts as well as between the business community and local government. The BAC operates as an informal collaboration with the Village of Oak Park, which often brings public information relevant to the business community issues of import to the BAC for opinion and consultation.
Businesses interested in participating should first contact their business district representative, if there is one. Regardless, all members of the business community are welcome.Typical agenda:
- Business District / Merchant Association Updates
- Village of Oak Park Updates: timely business updates as well as presentation on the month's "primary topic"
- Partner Agency Reports (OPEDC, Chamber, Visit Oak Park)
- Business Community Conversation
Businesses may also submit a question or information directly to the BAC by SCROLLING DOWN to the contact form on the botton of this webpage.
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CURRENT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
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Chicago-Austin District
Merchant Association? Not yet
President: n/a
BAC Rep: TBD
Website:
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Chicago-Harlem District
Merchant Association? Not yet
President: n/a
BAC Rep: TBD
Website:
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Downtown Oak Park
Merchant Association? SSA
President: Cindy Summers
BAC Rep: Shanon Williams
Website: Click Here
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Garfield-Harlem District
Merchant Association? Not yet
President: n/a
BAC Rep: TBD
Website:
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Hemingway Business District
Merchant Association? Yes
President: Jim August
BAC Rep: Anne Pezalla
Website: Click Here
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Lake-Austin District
Merchant Association? Not yet
President: n/a
BAC Rep: TBD
Website:
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Madison Business District
Merchant Association? Not currently
President: n/a
BAC Rep: TBD
Website:
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North Avenue District
Merchant Association? Yes
President: Lee Owens
BAC Rep: Dan Finnegan
Website: Click Here
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Pleasant District
Merchant Association? Yes
President: Paul Beckwith
BAC Rep: Dennis Murphy
Website:
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Roosevelt Road District
Merchant Association? Not yet
President: n/a
BAC Rep: TBD
Website:
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Southtown District
Merchant Association: not yet
President: n/a
BAC Rep: TBD
Website:
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Contact the BAC Directly
BAC Input Form
The Business Association Council is a group of business-minded volunteers who meet on behalf of their respective business districts. Information of concern is discussed with neighbor business districts as well as with representatives from Village government. We encourage you to engage with your local business district to stay abreast of issues relevant to your business. You also are welcome to submit information and questions here, and the Chamber of Commerce will forward your information to the BAC and your district representative.
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