Over the last 50 years, Oak Park has succeeded in transforming itself from a majority-white enclave to a more racially diverse community. But new pressures threaten to undo those gains, some community members and stakeholders say.
Kids play in a fountain during a"Thursday Night Out” event on June 22, 2023, in Oak Park. The weekly gatherings take place throughout the summer and gives the community a chance to connect.
Over the last 50 years, Oak Park has succeeded in transforming itself from a majority-white enclave to a more racially diverse community through a series of policy measures aimed at promoting integration. But new pressures from a lack of affordable housing to sky-high property taxes and lingering racial tensions threaten to undo those gains, some community members and stakeholders say.
The village has hired a firm to conduct a study assessing its housing needs, which will help officials determine how to move forward with integration efforts, Oak Park Village Manager Kevin Jackson said. The assessment likely won’t be finalized until the end of the year. Scaman, the board president, said some of the challenges with integration over the past few years have stemmed from a tense relationship between the Village Board and the housing center. Some former board members questioned how active the community needed to be to maintain integration, and the housing center experienced staff turnover.
Baxter Swilley, who does policy and government relations work for the housing center, said the housing center is “re-imagining what our work looks like” but is not ready to discuss the specifics until after the center submits its budget request to the village in the next few weeks. Over the last decade or so, the village of about 52,000 has seen its Black and white populations decline while the percentage of Latino and mixed-race residents has grown.
Parents of Black students at Oak Park and River Forest High School told the Tribune their students have received disparate treatment from faculty and staff compared with white students. “There are not enough preventive measures in place, and there’s still not enough relationships being built to assist our kids,” she said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Park service tracking mountain lion after it mauled child in Olympic National ParkIf they find it, there is no hope of rehabilitation, authorities plan to euthanize the animal.
Read more »
Oak Forest police arrest armed man after chase, standoffPolice officers responded to the BP gas station in the 5500 block of West 159th Street for reports of a gunman threatening people
Read more »
Illinois man killed in racetrack crash • Richton Park vies for Bears • Dave Chappelle comes to ChicagoA man from Mackinaw, Ill. lost control of his 1996 Mustang at an Indiana racetrack last week and was killed; another suburb is vying from the Chicago Bears to set up shop in their area with an offer of 1,000 acres; and a famous comedian is making a stop at United Center this October during his tour “Dave Chappelle Live.”
Read more »
Disney Hits Lowest Box Office Opening For Theme Park Movie Since 2003's OG Haunted MansionDisney just scored the lowest opening weekend gross for a theme park-inspired movie since the original Haunted Mansion two decades ago.
Read more »