[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16913]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




OAK PARK TOWNSHIP CENTENNIAL--1903-2003 ``100 YEARS OF SERVING PEOPLE''

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Oak Parkers have always been 
independent thinkers. So it's not surprising that the earliest 
residents of Oak Park opted for an independent government that gave 
them a greater voice in decisions that affected their lives and their 
community.
  In the late 19th century, Oak Park was still a part of the Township 
of Cicero. However, after residents of the Austin neighborhood 
successfully broke away from the Cicero Township in 1899 choosing to 
annex to the city of Chicago, Oak Parkers began to petition once again 
for their own village. In 1901, citizens formally seceded from Cicero 
Township to establish their own municipal government. The first village 
elections were held in 1902 and Oak Park celebrated its new status as a 
united, selfcontained community.
  Because the separation from Cicero Township left Oak Park in a legal 
limbo as regards certain delegated township functions, Oak Park 
citizens voted in 1903 to establish Oak Park Township. The first 
elected officials were supervisor, assessor, collector, clerk, two 
justices of the peace and two constables.
  The first social service program began in 1936 with Poor Relief, a 
Great Depression program to aid financially struggling residents. This 
was the start of the General Assistance program, which has provided 
financial assistance to thousands of Oak Park citizens over the years.
  The growing population of youth and elderly in the 1960's and 1970's 
ushered in Youth Services and Senior Services. Guided by volunteer 
citizen committees, the services are key components in Oak Park's 
quality of life.
  In 1971, the Senior Citizens Committee was formed and the Meals-at-
Home program was established. In 1973, the Township established by 
popular vote the volunteer Community Mental Health Board to assess need 
and help fund mental health programs. In that same year, the Advisory 
Committee on Childcare was formed. Also in the 70's came a 
transportation program for seniors and people with disabilities, as 
well as the Senior Citizen Information and Referral Service, the Energy 
Assistance program and the Income Tax Assistance program.
  Within the last ten years, Oak Park Township has continued to meet 
the growing needs of its constituency. A youth Advocacy Council was 
established to give a voice to the teenage population. Additionally, 
the Townships of Oak Park and River Forest initiated a collaborative 
youth services program. In 1993, the Township's Youth and Senior 
Services programs won three state awards and one year later the 
Community Mental Health Board became the only one in the state to be 
Medicaid certified for its case management services.
  The Township's assessor and collector functions, in accordance with 
the Township's overall vision of service and accessibility, has changed 
dramatically over the years. Since the 1930's, the assessor has been a 
service office, not assessing property, but helping residents, 
businesses and public agencies better understand property matters, 
taxation and assisting with appeals.
  Since 1996, to improve operational efficiencies while providing 
broader services, the Township has entered into partnerships with other 
governments and private agencies to coordinate and expand its youth, 
senior and mental health programs. Intergovernmental agreements exist 
between the Township and all the other 10 governmental units in Oak 
Park and River Forest--villages; parks; libraries; schools and the 
River Forest Township.
  From its humble beginnings serving Oak Park's population of 3,000 
residents in 1903, one hundred years later Oak Park Township has 
evolved into a full service unit of local government serving Oak Park's 
53,000 residents in 2003. I congratulate Oak Park Township on their 
100th birthday and know that they will continue to identify and address 
unmet needs in their community.

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