Oak Forest, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Oak Forest is a suburban city about 24 miles (39 km) south/southwest of downtown Chicago
in Bremen Township
in Cook County
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 28,051 at the 2000 census.
The community was further established when settlers arrived to farm in the area (many of them were German-born), sometime in the mid to late 1840s. The Cooper's Grove post office began service in 1848 and later changed its name to New Bremen alongside the Bachelor's Grove post office which began service in 1843 and later changed its name to Bremen after township governments were established in Cook County in 1850. Neighboring community Tinley Park was part of the community known as New Bremen starting in 1854 until it was later incorporated as Tinley Park in 1892. The population of Bachelor's Grove began to dwindle as people moved to New Bremen/Tinley Park or Blue Island to be along the railroad tracks for more economic opportunities. Christian Goesel settled along 147th and Oak Park Avenue (then Bachelor's Grove Road) in 1861 in a community named Goeselville where a satellite of the New Bremen/Tinley Park post office operated from 1884 to 1903. At its highest peak there were about 30 residents in this area with a few general stores to supply the farmers. This area was absorbed by Oak Forest with earlier settlements now abandoned and forgotten.
(hence the name). Some neighboring communities of Oak Forest include Crestwood
to the north, Midlothian
to the northeast, Markham
to the east, Country Club Hills
to the southeast, Tinley Park
to the southwest, Orland Park
to the west, beyond Bachelor's Grove Cemetery and Forest Preserve is Palos Heights
to the northwest.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²), of which, 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.88%) is water.
, there were 28,051 people, 9,785 households, and 7,338 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,965.4 people per square mile (1,916.9/km²). There were 10,022 housing units at an average density of 1,774.0 per square mile (684.9/km²). The racial makeup
of the city was 90.38% White, 3.64% African American, 0.15% Native American, 2.65% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.67% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.86% of the population.
The top five ancestries reported in Oak Forest as of the 2000 census were Irish
(26.3 %), German
(25.1 %), Polish
(18.3 %), Italian
(13.0 %) and Dutch (5.1 %).
There were 9,785 households out of which 36.9 % had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0 % were married couples
living together, 9.7 % had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0 % were non-families. 20.7 % of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9 % had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0 % under the age of 18, 9.1 % from 18 to 24, 31.0 % from 25 to 44, 24.7 % from 45 to 64, and 9.2 % who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $60,073, and the median income for a family was $68,862. Males had a median income of $48,808 versus $30,137 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $23,487. About 2.7 % of families and 3.6 % of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1 % of those under age 18 and 3.4 % of those age 65 or over.
.
Oak Forest is home to Oak Forest High School
which is one of four high schools in remen Community High School District 228.)
Some of Oak Forest feeds into Tinley Park High School.
Oak Forest is part of Community College District 510 (South Suburban College). Higher education is also readily available at the South Suburban College
"University and College Center." In addition to SSC, you will also find branches of DePaul University
, University of Saint Francis
, Chicago State University
, Governors State University
and Illinois Institute of Technology
.
and is represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Democrat
Bobby Rush
(with the exception of some very small areas totaling under 0.05 square miles (129,499.4 m²) at its southeast edge, which are in the 2nd district) .
Oak Forest is part of the 19th legislative district of Illinois and is represented by Democrat
Dan Klem (an Oak Forest resident) to the Illinois General Assembly
.
The current mayor of Oak Forest as of April 7, 2009 is Henry 'Hank' Kuspa. He challenged incumbent JoAnn Kelly whose father, Bernard Kelly, was mayor from 1968 to 1972 in the last mayoral election.
(159th Street), Illinois Route 50
(Cicero Avenue). Central Avenue serves as a sort of Main Street for Oak Forest, where the local Jewel
, Food4Less, Post Office, Acorn Public Library, Oak Forest Park District, Police Station/Fire Department/City Hall, and Oak Forest High School
are all located.
Nearby Interstate 57
serves Oak Forest, just north of its intersection with Interstate 80
. It a close drive south to the I-57 interchange at 167th Street and Cicero Avenue or east to the interchange at 159th Street (U.S. Route 6) and Pulaski Road
/Crawford Avenue. The Tri-State Tollway
(I-294) is also accessible within a few miles of Oak Forest.
Pace (transit)
bus route 354 runs from Harvey
down 147th and Central Avenue through Oak Forest to Tinley Park
. Pace bus route 364 runs from Hammond, Indiana
to Orland Square Mall in Orland Park
down 159th Street (U.S. Route 6) through Oak Forest and other south suburbs. Pace bus route 383 runs down Cicero Avenue (Illinois Route 50) from Chicago Midway International Airport in the south side of Chicago to 159th Street at Oak Forest Hospital.
The Oak Forest station
of the Metra
commuter rail line, located at 159th and Cicero, is a popular option for commuters to Chicago
. This station is part of the Rock Island District
Metra line that runs between Joliet, IL and the LaSalle Street Station
in the Chicago Loop
.
In 2008, the city broke ground on the Gateway Development at the northwest corner of 159th Street and Cicero Avenue. Construction of the mixed-use development will bring more than 50000 square feet (4,645.2 m²) of new retail and restaurant space and approximately 80 residential units to the city.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in Bremen Township
Bremen Township, Cook County, Illinois
Bremen Township is one of thirty townships in Cook County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 109,575. It was organized in 1850 and is located southwest of Chicago, Illinois in southern Cook County...
in Cook County
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 28,051 at the 2000 census.
History
The area currently known as Oak Forest was originally called Cooper's Grove in the early 19th century. Cooper's Grove was then bounded by Kenton, Cicero, Kilpatrick, Lamon, Lavergne and LeClaire Avenues. Mr. Cooper who settled here in the 1830s was said to have been the first resident of Bremen Township. A log cabin discovered by later settlers is believed to have been built by Cooper and was the first home built in the township.The community was further established when settlers arrived to farm in the area (many of them were German-born), sometime in the mid to late 1840s. The Cooper's Grove post office began service in 1848 and later changed its name to New Bremen alongside the Bachelor's Grove post office which began service in 1843 and later changed its name to Bremen after township governments were established in Cook County in 1850. Neighboring community Tinley Park was part of the community known as New Bremen starting in 1854 until it was later incorporated as Tinley Park in 1892. The population of Bachelor's Grove began to dwindle as people moved to New Bremen/Tinley Park or Blue Island to be along the railroad tracks for more economic opportunities. Christian Goesel settled along 147th and Oak Park Avenue (then Bachelor's Grove Road) in 1861 in a community named Goeselville where a satellite of the New Bremen/Tinley Park post office operated from 1884 to 1903. At its highest peak there were about 30 residents in this area with a few general stores to supply the farmers. This area was absorbed by Oak Forest with earlier settlements now abandoned and forgotten.
Geography
Oak Forest is considered part of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is mostly surrounded by Cook County Forest PreservesCook County Forest Preserves
The Cook County Forest Preserves are a network of open spaces, containing forest, prairie, wetland, streams, and lakes, that are set aside as natural areas. Cook County contains Chicago, Illinois, and is the center of a densely-populated urban metropolitan area in northeastern Illinois...
(hence the name). Some neighboring communities of Oak Forest include Crestwood
Crestwood, Illinois
Crestwood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,251 at the 2000 census. In April 2009 the Chicago Tribune reported that for 20 years the city had been drawing its drinking water from a well that was contaminated with toxic chemicals.-Geography:According to the...
to the north, Midlothian
Midlothian, Illinois
Midlothian is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 14,315 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Midlothian is located at ....
to the northeast, Markham
Markham, Illinois
Markham is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 12,620 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Markham is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
to the east, Country Club Hills
Country Club Hills, Illinois
Country Club Hills is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 16,169 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Country Club Hills is located at ....
to the southeast, Tinley Park
Tinley Park, Illinois
Tinley Park is a village located primarily in Cook County, Illinois, United States with a small portion in Will County. The population was 48,401 at the 2000 census, and 58,322 in the 2007 census. It is one of the fastest growing suburbs south of Chicago...
to the southwest, Orland Park
Orland Park, Illinois
Orland Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; it also extends slightly into Will County. The population was 56,767 at the 2010 census. The office of the Assistant Village Manager, Ellen Baer, states that the Will County section of Orland Park is industrial while the Cook County...
to the west, beyond Bachelor's Grove Cemetery and Forest Preserve is Palos Heights
Palos Heights, Illinois
Palos Heights is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 12,561 in 2005.-Geography:Palos Heights is located at ....
to the northwest.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²), of which, 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.88%) is water.
Demographics
As of the 2000 censusUnited States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, there were 28,051 people, 9,785 households, and 7,338 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,965.4 people per square mile (1,916.9/km²). There were 10,022 housing units at an average density of 1,774.0 per square mile (684.9/km²). The racial makeup
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of the city was 90.38% White, 3.64% African American, 0.15% Native American, 2.65% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.67% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.86% of the population.
The top five ancestries reported in Oak Forest as of the 2000 census were Irish
Irish American
Irish Americans are citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to Ireland. A total of 36,278,332 Americans—estimated at 11.9% of the total population—reported Irish ancestry in the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau...
(26.3 %), German
German American
German Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry and comprise about 51 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population, the country's largest self-reported ancestral group...
(25.1 %), Polish
Polish American
A Polish American , is a citizen of the United States of Polish descent. There are an estimated 10 million Polish Americans, representing about 3.2% of the population of the United States...
(18.3 %), Italian
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
(13.0 %) and Dutch (5.1 %).
There were 9,785 households out of which 36.9 % had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0 % were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.7 % had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0 % were non-families. 20.7 % of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9 % had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0 % under the age of 18, 9.1 % from 18 to 24, 31.0 % from 25 to 44, 24.7 % from 45 to 64, and 9.2 % who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $60,073, and the median income for a family was $68,862. Males had a median income of $48,808 versus $30,137 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $23,487. About 2.7 % of families and 3.6 % of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1 % of those under age 18 and 3.4 % of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Lisa Joann ThompsonLisa Joann ThompsonLisa Joann Thompson is an American dancer, choreographer, actress, and model who was a Warrior Girl, Laker Girl, Fly Girl, Motown Live Dancer, and Backup dancer to some of the most prominent artists in the musical industry...
, dancer, actress, choreographer, starred in In Living ColorIn Living ColorIn Living Color is an American sketch comedy television series, which originally ran on the Fox Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Brothers Keenen and Damon Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program. The show was produced by Ivory Way Productions in association with 20th Century...
, Fame L.A.Fame L.A.Fame L.A. was an MGM U.S. television series from 1997-1998. It told the story of a drama/dance school in Los Angeles where students honed their talents while overcoming various personal problems. It starred Christian Kane, Rosalyn Sanchez, and William R. Moses. Its producers included Patricia...
, and Motown Live, was born in Oak Forest in 1969. - Jason FrasorJason FrasorJason Andrew Frasor is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. He made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in , and he had a 4.08 ERA in 63 games....
, a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, graduate of Oak Forest High SchoolOak Forest High SchoolOak Forest High School is a public high school located in Oak Forest, Illinois. It is part of Bremen Community High School District 228 which also includes Tinley Park High School, Hillcrest High School and Bremen High School...
(1995). - Tim ByrdakTim ByrdakTimothy Christopher Byrdak is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Mets. His previous major league experience came from to , when Byrdak played for the Kansas City Royals, an injury-plagued stint with the Baltimore Orioles, and one year with the Detroit Tigers.After playing for...
, a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, graduate of Oak Forest High SchoolOak Forest High SchoolOak Forest High School is a public high school located in Oak Forest, Illinois. It is part of Bremen Community High School District 228 which also includes Tinley Park High School, Hillcrest High School and Bremen High School...
(1991). - Tom GorzelannyTom GorzelannyThomas Stephen Gorzelanny is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals.-Personal life:Tom grew up in Chicago, IL, graduating from Marist High School in 2000...
, a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington NationalsWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, spent part of his childhood living in Oak Forest. - Jimmy PardoJimmy PardoJimmy Pardo is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and host of the popular comedy podcast Never Not Funny.He is married to fellow comedian Danielle Koenig. They live in Los Angeles with their son Oliver...
, comedian and host of the podcast Never Not FunnyNever Not FunnyNever Not Funny is a weekly podcast hosted by comedian Jimmy Pardo since Spring 2006. He and producer Matt Belknap have appeared in every episode...
, graduate of Oak Forest High SchoolOak Forest High SchoolOak Forest High School is a public high school located in Oak Forest, Illinois. It is part of Bremen Community High School District 228 which also includes Tinley Park High School, Hillcrest High School and Bremen High School...
(1984). - George SaundersGeorge SaundersGeorge Saunders is a New York Times bestselling American writer of short stories, essays, novellas and children's books. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's, McSweeney's and GQ, among other publications...
, Short story writer and essayist, graduate of Oak Forest High SchoolOak Forest High SchoolOak Forest High School is a public high school located in Oak Forest, Illinois. It is part of Bremen Community High School District 228 which also includes Tinley Park High School, Hillcrest High School and Bremen High School...
. - Chris MedinaChris MedinaChristopher Edward "Chris" Medina is an American singer born in Chicago, Illinois. Medina is most notable as a former American Idol contestant during the tenth season of Idol and his single, "What Are Words", which went to #1 in Norway and Sweden and spent 19 weeks at number 1 combined...
, Competed on 2011 American Idol, has lived in Oak Forest, IL.
Education
Public grade school districts in Oak Forest include Forest Ridge School District 142, Arbor Park School District 145, and Tinley Park Community Consolidated School District 146Tinley Park Community Consolidated School District 146
Tinley Park Community Consolidated School District 146 is an elementary school district based in the Cook County village of Tinley Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago southwest of the city proper. The district is composed of five schools: four were elementary schools and one middle school, where...
.
Oak Forest is home to Oak Forest High School
Oak Forest High School
Oak Forest High School is a public high school located in Oak Forest, Illinois. It is part of Bremen Community High School District 228 which also includes Tinley Park High School, Hillcrest High School and Bremen High School...
which is one of four high schools in remen Community High School District 228.)
Some of Oak Forest feeds into Tinley Park High School.
Oak Forest is part of Community College District 510 (South Suburban College). Higher education is also readily available at the South Suburban College
South Suburban College
South Suburban College is a community college located in the south suburbs of Chicago serving the Chicago Southland. The main campus is situated in South Holland, Illinois with a second campus called the University and College Center in Oak Forest, Illinois...
"University and College Center." In addition to SSC, you will also find branches of DePaul University
DePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
, University of Saint Francis
University of Saint Francis (Illinois)
The University of St. Francis is a Catholic, Franciscan university, serving more than 3,300 students at locations throughout the nation. USF's main campus is located at 500 Wilcox Street in Joliet, Illinois. It is located about southwest of Chicago in a residential neighborhood and serves 1,300...
, Chicago State University
Chicago State University
Chicago State University is a state university of the U.S. state of Illinois, located in Chicago.-History:Cook County Normal School was founded in 1867, largely through the initiative of John F. Eberhart, the Commissioner of Schools for Cook County...
, Governors State University
Governors State University
Governors State University is a public university located in University Park, Illinois. The campus is located south of Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1969, GSU is an upper-division university, offering undergraduate courses at the junior and senior levels as well as graduate level coursework at...
and Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology, commonly called Illinois Tech or IIT, is a private Ph.D.-granting university located in Chicago, Illinois, with programs in engineering, science, psychology, architecture, business, communications, industrial technology, information technology, design, and law...
.
Notable places
- St. Damian's Catholic Church, a Roman Catholic church with a large congregation of many Oak Forest residents.
- The Oak Forest Hospital of Cook CountyOak Forest Hospital of Cook CountyOak Forest Hospital of Cook County is a 600+ bed hospital located in south suburban Oak Forest, Illinois. It specializes in long-term care, Ventilator care, chronic disease and rehabilitation services. It is part of the Cook County Bureau of Health Services, which also includes the more prominent...
is a large hospital specialising in long-term care and some other varieties of care - Chicago Gaelic Park is a banquet hall and restaurant/bar in Oak Forest serving the South Side IrishSouth Side IrishSouth Side Irish is the term that refers to the large Irish-American community on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois.-South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade:...
community which has a sizable population in the south suburbs. There is an annual Irish Festival (Feis) held on the Gaelic Park grounds Memorial Day weekend. - The George W. Dunne Golf Course and Driving RangeGeorge W. Dunne Golf Course and Driving RangeGeorge W. Dunne Golf Course and Driving Range is located in Bremen Township, Cook County, just outside Oak Forest, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago. Open to the public, it is owned by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and was designed by Dick Nugent and Ken Killian....
is located in Oak Forest just south of 159th Street (U.S. Route 6U.S. Route 6U.S. Route 6 , also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, a name that honors an American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to...
) - Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, allegedly one of the most haunted places in the world, is near Oak Forest in the Rubio Forest Preserve.
Politics
Nationally, Oak Forest is part of Illinois' 1st congressional districtIllinois' 1st congressional district
Illinois's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Illinois. Based in Cook County, the district includes much of the South Side of Chicago, extending into the city's southwest suburbs until reaching the border of Will County, and covers , making it one of the 40...
and is represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Bobby Rush
Bobby Rush
Bobby Lee Rush is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district is located principally on the South Side of Chicago. It is a minority-majority district and has a higher percentage of African Americans than any other congressional district in...
(with the exception of some very small areas totaling under 0.05 square miles (129,499.4 m²) at its southeast edge, which are in the 2nd district) .
Oak Forest is part of the 19th legislative district of Illinois and is represented by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Dan Klem (an Oak Forest resident) to the Illinois General Assembly
Illinois General Assembly
The Illinois General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois and comprises the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. The General Assembly was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. Illinois has 59 legislative districts, with two...
.
The current mayor of Oak Forest as of April 7, 2009 is Henry 'Hank' Kuspa. He challenged incumbent JoAnn Kelly whose father, Bernard Kelly, was mayor from 1968 to 1972 in the last mayoral election.
Transportation
Oak Forest is served by U.S. Route 6U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6 , also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, a name that honors an American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to...
(159th Street), Illinois Route 50
Illinois Route 50
Illinois Route 50 is a north–south state road in northeastern Illinois. It runs from the junction with U.S. Route 45 in West Kankakee north to U.S. Route 41 in Skokie. This is a distance of . In Chicago and the suburbs it's known as Cicero Avenue...
(Cicero Avenue). Central Avenue serves as a sort of Main Street for Oak Forest, where the local Jewel
Jewel (supermarket)
Jewel-Osco is a supermarket chain headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. Jewel-Osco has 182 stores across northern, central, and western Illinois; eastern Iowa; and portions of northwest Indiana.Jewel-Osco and Jewel are currently wholly owned subsidiaries of Eden Prairie,...
, Food4Less, Post Office, Acorn Public Library, Oak Forest Park District, Police Station/Fire Department/City Hall, and Oak Forest High School
Oak Forest High School
Oak Forest High School is a public high school located in Oak Forest, Illinois. It is part of Bremen Community High School District 228 which also includes Tinley Park High School, Hillcrest High School and Bremen High School...
are all located.
Nearby Interstate 57
Interstate 57
Interstate 57 is an Interstate Highway in Missouri and Illinois that parallels the old Illinois Central rail line for much of its route. It goes from Miner, Missouri, at Interstate 55 to Chicago, Illinois, at Interstate 94. I-57 essentially serves as a shortcut route for travelers headed between...
serves Oak Forest, just north of its intersection with Interstate 80
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
. It a close drive south to the I-57 interchange at 167th Street and Cicero Avenue or east to the interchange at 159th Street (U.S. Route 6) and Pulaski Road
Pulaski Road (Chicago)
Pulaski Road is a major north-south thoroughfare in the city of Chicago, at 4000 W., or exactly five miles west of State Street. It is named after revolutionary war hero Casimir Pulaski...
/Crawford Avenue. The Tri-State Tollway
Tri-State Tollway
The Tri-State Tollway is a U.S. toll road maintained by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority in northeastern Illinois which is considered one of the most heavily traveled highways in the country...
(I-294) is also accessible within a few miles of Oak Forest.
Pace (transit)
Pace (transit)
Pace is the suburban bus division of the Regional Transportation Authority in the Chicago metropolitan area. It was created in 1983 by the RTA Act, which established the formula that provides funding to CTA, Metra and Pace. In 2010, Pace had 35.077 million riders. Pace's headquarters are in...
bus route 354 runs from Harvey
Harvey, Illinois
Harvey is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, near Chicago. The population was 30,000 at the 2000 census.Harvey is bordered by Dixmoor, Riverdale and Blue Island to the north, Posen and Markham to the west, South Holland, Phoenix, and Dolton to the east, and East Hazel Crest to the...
down 147th and Central Avenue through Oak Forest to Tinley Park
Tinley Park, Illinois
Tinley Park is a village located primarily in Cook County, Illinois, United States with a small portion in Will County. The population was 48,401 at the 2000 census, and 58,322 in the 2007 census. It is one of the fastest growing suburbs south of Chicago...
. Pace bus route 364 runs from Hammond, Indiana
Hammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....
to Orland Square Mall in Orland Park
Orland Park, Illinois
Orland Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; it also extends slightly into Will County. The population was 56,767 at the 2010 census. The office of the Assistant Village Manager, Ellen Baer, states that the Will County section of Orland Park is industrial while the Cook County...
down 159th Street (U.S. Route 6) through Oak Forest and other south suburbs. Pace bus route 383 runs down Cicero Avenue (Illinois Route 50) from Chicago Midway International Airport in the south side of Chicago to 159th Street at Oak Forest Hospital.
The Oak Forest station
Oak Forest (Metra)
The Oak Forest Metra station is located on the Rock Island District Metra line that runs between Joliet, Illinois and downtown Chicago, Illinois at the LaSalle Street Station. It is in Zone E according to Metra fee schedules based on distance from downtown Chicago. It is located at 159th Street ...
of the Metra
Metra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
commuter rail line, located at 159th and Cicero, is a popular option for commuters to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. This station is part of the Rock Island District
Rock Island District
The Rock Island District is a commuter rail line operated by Metra from Chicago, Illinois, United States, southwest to Joliet. While Metra does not specifically refer to any of its lines by a particular color, the timetable accents for the Rock Island District line are printed in "Rocket Red"...
Metra line that runs between Joliet, IL and the LaSalle Street Station
LaSalle Street Station
LaSalle Street Station is a commuter rail terminal at 414 S. LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago, Illinois, serving Metra's Rock Island District. It was a major intercity rail terminal for the New York Central Railroad until 1968 and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad until 1978. The...
in the Chicago Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
.
Gateway Project
In early 2007, Mayor JoAnn Kelly announced plans for a "Gateway Project", consisting of a mixed use commercial & residential development at the corner of Illinois Route 50 (Cicero Avenue) and 159th Street. The project is said to provide the community with a transit-oriented development at the METRA commuter rail line. The development is alleged by the mayor to greatly enhance the tax base of the City and generate additional commercial interest in the Cicero Avenue Corridor.In 2008, the city broke ground on the Gateway Development at the northwest corner of 159th Street and Cicero Avenue. Construction of the mixed-use development will bring more than 50000 square feet (4,645.2 m²) of new retail and restaurant space and approximately 80 residential units to the city.