Spend a few hours exploring Oak Park's 12 distinct business districts, and you'll find over 75 restaurants, national and local retail stores, art galleries, 4000-plus businesses and over 925,000 square feet of the most accessible, attractive space in the near west suburbs of Chicago. Businesses are within walking distance of neighborhoods, housing, customers, and employees. The Oak Park business community is connected to an even greater trade area by the Village's multiple modes of transportation. The great location and superb transportation system serving Oak Park provides easy access for businesses and their employees.

Support mechanisms for Oak Park businesses include active business associations and the Chamber of Commerce, offering programs that ensure a healthy, vibrant business community. Oak Park Development Corporation can assist you with financing, site selection, building acquisition and renovation. Village of Oak Park Development Services professionals are responsive to the needs of new and existing businesses and help to identify opportunities and resources for business and real estate growth. In Oak Park, businesses can - and do - succeed. One thing is certain: when businesses choose Oak Park, they thrive.

Business Development
Welcome to the "Business Development" area of the Doing Business in Oak Park section of the Village's web site. Here you will find information about services and programs that promote economic development, retain and attract businesses, and strengthen the viability of commercial districts. Along the left-hand column of this page are titles listing the Village services within this subject area. Click on the appropriate title for more details and contacts for further information.

Business Services Division

The Business Services is the Village of Oak Park 's liaison to the business community. Its goal is to respond to the ongoing needs of the business community and serve as a key partner in the growth and development of Oak Park 's twelve business districts. Assistance includes the following:

* Obtaining retail grants and/or loans for rehabilitation or startup
* Receiving assistance from other internal departments
* Maintaining compliance with Village of Oak Park business requirements
* Coordinating events within the business districts
* Locating a business within Oak Park
* Accessing business resources and technical assistanc