Secret Little Hack

Visit the Oak Lawn Library for free community events, services, and resources that can help you save time and money.

Top Featured Events This Week

Senior Health & Wellness Fair — Monday, September 22, 9:00 am–12:00 pm The Oak Lawn Park District hosts a fair at the Oak View Center offering free health screenings, flu shots, information on senior services, and fitness demonstrations.

Story Time & Craft — Tuesday, September 23, 10:30 am–11:30 am Bring your little ones to the Oak Lawn Public Library for engaging stories, songs, and a fun, age-appropriate craft. Perfect for preschoolers and toddlers.

Adult Coloring Club — Wednesday, September 24, 1:00 pm–2:30 pm Unwind and de-stress with fellow coloring enthusiasts at the Oak Lawn Public Library. Supplies are provided, along with soothing music and conversation.

Evergreen Park Farmers Market — Thursday, September 25, 7:00 am–1:00 pm Just a short drive away at Yukich Fields, this market continues to offer a fantastic selection of seasonal produce, artisanal breads, local honey, flowers, and handmade goods.

Fall Harvest Festival at Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm — Daily starting Friday, September 26, 10:00 am–6:00 pm (Daily hours may vary, check website) A short drive from Oak Lawn, Bengtson's continues its season. Enjoy pumpkin picking, a corn maze, petting zoo, pig races, tractor rides, and all sorts of fall-themed family fun.

Live Band Karaoke Night — Friday, September 26, 9:00 pm Sing your favorite songs with a live band backing you up at Mickey's Restaurant & Lounge on 95th Street. A fun and lively evening for singers and spectators alike.

Oak Lawn Community Garage Sale — Saturday, September 27, 9:00 am–3:00 pm Various homes throughout Oak Lawn will be participating in a village-wide garage sale. A great opportunity to find treasures and bargains. Look for maps of participating homes online or at local businesses.

Oak Lawn Public Library Book Sale — Saturday, September 27, 9:00 am–4:00 pm Find great deals on used books, DVDs, and CDs at the library's ongoing book sale. All proceeds benefit library programs and services.

South Side Irish Parade Fundraiser Kick-Off — Saturday, September 27, 7:00 pm Get a jump start on St. Patrick's Day festivities at this lively fundraiser at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park. Featuring live Irish music, dancing, and a raffle, all to support the annual South Side Irish Parade.

Ongoing Events

"Farming to Suburbia: The Story of Oak Lawn" — Running through October 31 Visit the Oak Lawn-Hometown Historical Society at the Oak Lawn Public Library to explore a special exhibit. Discover the village's transformation through historic photographs, artifacts, and stories from its agricultural roots to the bustling suburb it is today.

Quick Glance Summary

Joke Of The Day

Why did the oak tree go to Oak Lawn?

Because it heard there was a great bark in town!

Illinois is experiencing strong growth in solar energy employment, driven by bold state initiatives and targeted investments in clean energy workforce development.

In March 2024, Governor JB Pritzker unveiled the $8.5 million Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program, empowering community groups in low-income and historically disadvantaged neighborhoods to launch local solar projects and boost both job creation and small business opportunities.

Adding momentum, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has distributed $57 million through Climate and Equitable Jobs Act programs, sparking over 1,000 new solar jobs, with a special focus on Chicago’s South and West sides.

Community colleges are crucial partners, offering solar technology training that prepares residents from diverse backgrounds for careers in the booming renewable energy sector.

Through these ongoing investments, Illinois is advancing clean energy goals while fueling local economies with sustainable, future-ready employment.

🍂 Crispy Delicata & Pomegranate Salad with Ginger-Tahini Drizzle

Why It Works:

This vibrant fall salad pairs roasted delicata squash—known for its edible skin and sweet, nutty flavor—with fresh pomegranate arils, peppery arugula, and crunchy roasted chickpeas. A light ginger-tahini drizzle ties everything together with creamy brightness, no heaviness needed.

 Ingredients:

• 1 medium delicata squash (sliced into half-moons)
  
  

• 1 cup arugula or baby kale
  
  

• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
  
  

• 1/2 cup roasted chickpeas (or toasted pepitas)
  
  

• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
  

• Salt & pepper to taste

Ginger-Tahini Dressing:

• 2 tbsp tahini
  
  

• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  
  

• 1 tsp grated ginger
  
  

• 1 tsp maple syrup
  
  

• Water to thin

How to Make:

1. Roast delicata squash at 400°F with olive oil, salt, and pepper for 20–25 minutes until golden.
   
   

2. In a bowl, toss arugula, pomegranate seeds, and roasted chickpeas.
   
   

3. Whisk dressing ingredients until smooth.
   
   

Add warm squash to the greens and drizzle with dressing.

Q: What are some popular restaurants in Oak Lawn, Illinois?

A: There are many popular restaurants in Oak Lawn, including Ridgeview Family Restaurant, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants, and Wild Onion Tied House.

Q: What are some fun activities to do in Oak Lawn, Illinois?

A: Some fun activities to do in Oak Lawn include visiting the Oak Lawn Children's Museum, exploring the newly renovated Richards High School Orland Auditorium, and taking a walk along the beautiful Lake Shore Park.

Q: What schools are located in Oak Lawn, Illinois?

A: Some schools located in Oak Lawn include Oak Lawn Community High School, St. Gerald School, and Simmons Middle School.

Oak Lawn, long known for its lively spirit, is now embracing the transformative trend of quiet luxury.

Guided by minimalist design and timeless quality, this movement is reshaping fashion, interiors, and public spaces across the neighborhood.

Boutiques are spotlighting neutral jackets, tailored slacks, and subtle accessories, giving locals refined staples that transcend fleeting trends.

This shift favors versatile style over flash, resonating with Oak Lawn’s desire for pieces that offer both beauty and long-term wear.

Home design follows suit, as residents gravitate toward clean layouts, warm materials, and handcrafted accents.

Designer Javier Burkle’s newly renovated cottage embodies this harmonious blend of modern minimalism and classic charm.

Restaurants and cafés are also adopting understated elegance, providing serene retreats with uncluttered tables and soft light.

Even real estate is changing, with sleek high-rise plans like the 28-story tower at 4211 Newton Avenue, tailored for those who value refined simplicity.

Quote Of The Day

"Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it." - Charles R. Swindoll

Oak Lawn is welcoming the September Reset, inspiring locals to focus on clarity, purposeful living, and gradual wellness improvements as autumn arrives.

Yoga studios are drawing in residents with discounted memberships, while bustling cafés reflect a newfound drive for mindful productivity amid cups of green tea.

Families are refreshing their daily routines, and younger generations are weaving well-being into their lives with a blend of functionality and style.

Upcoming community events, including Welcome To The Haven at the Hilton Oak Lawn on September 13 and Wellness, Wealth & Community with VitalHealth at the library on September 27, are supporting these wellness journeys.

Many see this "suburban shift" as a way to embrace calm, balance, and minimalist aesthetics without extra pressure.

In Oak Lawn, the September Reset is a step toward sustainable, intentional living for the entire community.

Interesting Facts

Oak Lawn trustees have voted unanimously to ban low-speed electric scooters — those under 100 pounds and reaching speeds of up to 10 mph — as part of a newly amended village traffic code.

This move aims to address rising safety issues and aligns local law with the Illinois Vehicle Code.

Trustee Jamie Pembroke, a retired driver’s ed teacher, voiced concern over young riders ignoring traffic rules, raising alarm after several parental reports of near-misses involving e-scooters.

The updated ordinance also sets strict conditions on higher-speed scooters, requiring titling, registration, operator age over 16, and a valid driver's license.

Other safety requirements include front and rear lights at night, reliable brakes, and a ban on carrying passengers or hazardous loads.

Riders must travel single file with traffic, yield to pedestrians, use hand signals, and never cling to other vehicles.

Oak Lawn joins neighboring towns like Evergreen Park and Hinsdale in cracking down on e-scooters after recent accidents involving minors and pedestrians.

Police will begin issuing warnings as the village reviews penalty amounts, currently capped at $750.

NASA's latest Mars discovery is sparking excitement across Oak Lawn, infusing classrooms and households with renewed curiosity about space.

Teachers are incorporating the news into science lessons, inspiring local students to imagine bold futures in exploration and discovery.

Families are stepping outside, gazing skyward, and feeling a new connection to the universe from their own backyards.

Community groups are treating this moment as a call to explore — not just the cosmos, but new ideas and ambitions right here at home.

For many, Mars now symbolizes progress and human potential, shaping personal goals and collective dreams.

Local events will soon let residents deepen their cosmic curiosity, with The Chicago Astronomer hosting a stargazing night at West Lawn Park on September 6, 2025, followed by a Northwest Suburban Astronomers' event on September 13.

These gatherings promise to unite Oak Lawn under the stars, igniting wonder for all ages.