The village of Oak Park has been incorporated since 1902 It is a community located directly west of Chicago: Public Health Assignment, OBU, UK

The village of Oak Park has been incorporated since 1902. It is a community located directly west of Chicago, neighboring the Austin neighborhood. There are approximately just under 55,000 residents within 4.5 square miles. The village has a diverse mix of races, cultures, incomes, and religions.

The village of Oak Park has been incorporated since 1902. It is a community located directly west of Chicago, neighboring the Austin neighborhood. There are approximately just under 55,000 residents within 4.5 square miles. The village has a diverse mix of races, cultures, incomes, and religions.

The village is located in Cook County, but as a state-certified department of health, issues their own public health guidance. Like all state-certified health departments, the village of Oak Park publishes a community health assessment and strategic plan. The Oak Park-River Forest Community Health Plan was last published in September of 2017. The village of Oak Park includes the neighboring town of River Forest in the health plan as the school districts overlap, so the plan is guided by both the village of Oak Park and the township of River Forest. This joint community is referred to below as the Oak ParkRiver Forest community.

The Community Health Plan uses several pieces of information such as OPRF community demographics, which include race, age, insurance status, language spoken at home, the poverty level and also incorporates population health information. This includes cancer indicators, child health indicators, diabetes, heart disease indicators, and many more.

This information was used to identify public health and behavioral health problems within the OPRF community to address. However, it is important to note that this plan is due to be updated and the information described in the plan does not address the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, that information is highlighted in a separate section of the health department website to update as changes are needed.

Along with IPLAN, the Department of Public Health also receives guidance from the Board of Health. This is an advisory board to the Director of the Department of Public Health and the Board of Trustees in the village. This board makes recommendations, rules, and regulations pertaining to the public health of the community.

The board is comprised of seven members, including one medical doctor, one nurse, and one dentist and the remaining four board members are individuals who have knowledge and interest in public health. One member can be a high school student.

Lastly, the Department of Public Health provides information and services pertaining to animal control, beekeeping, resources for obtaining insurance, child and long-term care, restaurant inspections, emergency preparedness, child and maternal health, food insecurity, and more issues pertaining to the public health and well-being of the community.