Resources for Downtown Oak Park Visitors & Merchants

Homelessness can strike anyone. In the U.S., most people are one rent payment away from potentially being on the street. And in today’s pandemic, more people are struggling, leading to homelessness and panhandling.

People panhandle for various reasons. It could be a loss of housing or income, mental health or substance abuse, or family issues that lead to isolation.

When you are experiencing homelessness, it affects a person’s dignity. The stress is high; you are in survival mode in part because of the lack of life’s basics: shelter, food, income, support.

In partnership with the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition, we are actively working to offer options and outline resources for those in need, as well as patrons of Downtown Oak Park to provide a safe and inviting environment for everyone in our downtown.

We urge you to treat people with compassion and dignity, which is why we have developed resources to help residents, businesses and those experiencing homelessness in our community.

So, what do you do if someone is in need of immediate shelter?

For outreach Call: 877-426-6515 or Email: outreachteam@housingforward.org. Housing Forward Street Outreach Team works with those on the streets each day, and can assist with getting help for the individual.

Public restrooms are available in Austin Gardens.

Emergency Warming Shelters

Oak Park Public Libraries

Main Location (834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301)

  • Mondays through Thursdays: 9 am – 9 pm
  • Fridays: 9 am – 6 pm
  • Saturdays: 9 am – 5 pm
  • Sundays: 12 – 5 pm

Maze Branch (845 Gunderson Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304)

  • Mondays through Thursdays: 10 am – 9 pm
  • Fridays: CLOSED
  • Saturdays: 10 am – 5 pm
  • Sundays: 12 – 5 pm

Dole Branch (255 Augusta St., Oak Park, IL 60302)

  • Monday: CLOSED
  • Tuesdays through Thursdays: 10 am – 9 pm
  • Fridays: 10 am – 6 pm
  • Saturdays: 10 am – 5 pm
  • Sundays: 12 – 5 pm

Rush Oak Park Hospital

Former Emergency Room (520 S. Maple, Oak Park, IL 60304)

  • Open Daily: 24 hours (December through March)

West Suburban Medical Center

West Suburban Emergency Room (3 Erie St., Oak Park, IL 60302)

  • Open Daily: 6 pm – 7 am

Emergency Overnight Shelter to Open in Oak Park on January 4, 2023.

St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy (38 N. Austin Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302)

  • Open Daily: 7 pm – 6:30 am (January 4 through April 30)

For Visitors to Downtown Oak Park

If you are approached by someone panhandling or experiencing homelessness, please remember we are all human. Know that kindness, dignity and compassion are most important. Having a conversation with someone can be a simple and helpful act of kindness.

If you are asked for cash, it’s okay to say “I don’t have it right now, but I can give you something next time.” Or you could say “Sorry, I don’t have any money.” Or “I don’t carry cash” and provide a statement of encouragement and/or offer resources.

If you want to help the person, options include:

  • Present the person with a resource card, which provides a range of services available to help with homelessness and mental health, substance abuse and financial issues. Resource cards will be available in-person soon, or find the PDF here Help for Homelessness Street Outreach Card.
  • Donate or volunteer with one of numerous organizations in Oak Park, including Beyond Hunger, Housing Forward and the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition. By volunteering, and sharing that information, it is a reminder that you are working toward systemic change to end homelessness by making it rare, brief and one time.
  • For outreach Call: 877-426-6515 or Email: outreachteam@housingforward.org. Housing Forward Street Outreach Team works with those on the streets each day, and can assist with getting help for the individual.
  • If you encounter someone who is aggressive, please call the Oak Park Police Department at 9-1-1 in an emergency or 708-386-3800 in a non-emergency.

For Businesses

If your business is impacted in some way by someone loitering or panhandling, consider engaging the person.

  • If someone is loitering or panhandling on private property, you can kindly ask them to leave.
  • Resource cards will be available in-person soon, or find the PDF here Help for Homelessness Street Outreach Card.
  • For outreach Call: 877-426-6515 or Email: outreachteam@housingforward.org. Housing Forward Street Outreach Team works with those on the streets each day, and can assist with getting help for the individual.
  • If someone is being truly disruptive, please call the Oak Park Police Department at 9-1-1 in an emergency or 708-386-3800 in a non-emergency.
  • What to do if personal items have been left behind:
    1. Items in public way – call the Village of Oak Park Public Works Department.
    2. Items on private property – contact the property owner.