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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 (“Motor Vehicles and Traffic”), Article 1 (“In General”), Section 14 (“Prohibited Turn Locations”) of the Oak Park Village Code
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Introduction
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As directed by the Village Board at the September 30, 2025 Board Meeting, this Ordinance established no left turn restrictions for northbound traffic on Ridgeland Avenue at Thomas Street from 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM Monday through Friday to discourage cut through traffic and reduce traffic on Thomas Street and Elmwood Avenue which are Neighborhood Greenways. This Ordinance also amends the Village code for prohibiting southbound traffic from proceeding past traffic diverters north and south of Madison on Wesley Avenue and for making northbound Maple Avenue right turn only at Madison Street from 7-9am and 4-6pm all as previously approved by the Village Board.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Ordinance.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action:
• The Village Board approved a Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s Recommendations for Traffic Calming at Elmwood Avenue and Thomas Street and Direct Staff to Prepare the Necessary Ordinance to Prohibit Northbound Left Turns at Ridgeland Avenue and Thomas Street on September 30, 2025 (MOT 25-218).
• The Village Board approved an Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit for a Major Planned Development Containing a Commercial Building with 220 Parking Spaces at the Property located at 640-728 Madison Street on February 16, 2021 (ORD 21-16).
• The Village Board approved an Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit for a Major Planned Development Containing a Seven Story Senior Living Facility at the Property Located at 711-725 Madison Street on February 3, 2020 (ORD 20-010).
• The Village Board approved an Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement for the 700-728 Madison Street Redevelopment Project Consistent with the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation's (Oak Park EDC) Recommendation between the Village of Oak Park and Jupiter Realty Company, LLC (Jupiter), Oak Park Madison Street LLC (Pete's) and 711 Madison Senior Living, LLC on December 10, 2018 (ORD 18-456).
• The Village Board approved an Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit for a Major Planned Development for an Emergency Room Facility Located at 520 South Maple Avenue on October 2, 2017 (ORD 17-263)
Background
This Ordinance amends Oak Park Village Code for prohibiting northbound left turns on Ridgeland Avenue at Thomas Street based on previous Board approval of the Transportation Commission’s recommendations for traffic calming at Thomas Street and Elmwood Avenue, prohibiting southbound traffic from going past traffic diverters previously approved by the Board as part of the Pete’s Fresh Market and Senior Living Center Planned Development Ordinances on Wesley Avenue north and south of Madison Street, and making northbound Maple Avenue at Madison Street right turn only from 7-9 am and 4-6 pm as approved by the Board as part of the Rush Oak Park Hospital’s planned development for their emergency room addition.
The Bike Plan Update includes recommendations for traffic diverters on many of the Neighborhood Greenway (NG) streets where they intersect with major roadways to limit the volume of traffic on these Neighborhood Greenways in order to prioritize pedestrian and bicycle safety. Thomas Street is a NG street.
As part of the traffic calming petition for traffic calming at the Elmwood and Thomas intersection, staff recommended establishing no left turn restrictions for northbound (NB) Ridgeland traffic at Thomas Street during rush hours from 7-9 am and 4-6 pm Monday through Friday to limit cut through traffic on Thomas and Elmwood which based on residents’ and staff experiences and traffic data happens frequently when northbound drivers are trying to avoid the traffic signal at Division and Ridgeland. These turn restrictions match existing restrictions for eastbound (EB) traffic on Division at Elmwood where there are already no right turn restrictions for EB traffic on Division at Elmwood from 7-9 am and 4-6 pm Mon-Fri.
Construction of the Thomas Street NG treatments is planned for 2026. Staff will be evaluating these proposed no left turn restrictions for NB Ridgeland at Thomas to determine if there are any unanticipated consequences prior to implementing a proposed traffic diverter at this location, which would physically restrict these movements and prohibit NB left turns at all times. A future Ordinance will be required to further restrict turning movements with the anticipated future diverter.
As part of the Ordinance approving the Planned Use Development for the Senior Living Center at 711-725 Madison Street on February 3, 2020, the Village Board approved the installation of a traffic diverter on Wesley Avenue south of the alley south of Madison Street. The traffic diverter was built with the senior living center’s construction. This amendment to the ordinance codifies the restrictions to prevent southbound drivers from going through the diverter.
As part of the Ordinance approving the Redevelopment Agreement for the Pete’s Fresh Market and senior living center, and as part of the Ordinance approving the Planned Use Development for the Pete’s Fresh Market at 668 Madison Street on February 16, 2021, the Village Board approved the installation of a traffic diverter on Wesley Avenue north of the alley north of Madison Street. The traffic diverter was built with the Madison Street Streetscape Project. This amendment to the ordinance codifies the restrictions to prevent southbound drivers from going through the diverter.
As part of the Ordinance approving the Planned Use Development for the Rush Oak Park Hospital’s emergency room addition in 2017, the Village Board approved making northbound Maple Avenue right turn only between the hours of 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. This Ordinance codifies these restrictions, which have been in place since the emergency room’s construction was complete in 2019.
Timing Considerations
Adoption of the Ordinance at this time will allow for staff to install the signage prohibiting the northbound left turns on Ridgeland at Thomas and allow for time for staff to evaluate any impacts from these restrictions prior to installing a future traffic diverter.
Budget Impact
There is no budget impact associated with this item.
Staffing Impact
There is no staffing impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the department’s core service delivery.
DEI Impact
The Vision Zero plan highlights that traffic accidents disproportionately affect minority communities within the Village. Traffic calming improvements will enhance safety for all users, with particular benefits for these vulnerable groups.
Community Input
Restrictions related to the diverters on Wesley and the turn restrictions on Maple went through the public hearing process with these three planned developments. The community input related to the left turn restrictions on Ridgeland and Thomas is below.
On November 15, 2024, the Village of Oak Park received petitions to implement traffic calming measures at the Elmwood Avenue and Thomas Street intersection. The petition organizers were notified of the June 9th TC meeting regarding these petitions, and public comments from residents were heard at the TC meeting. TC meeting minutes are attached for reference.
At the June 9th, 2025, Transportation Commission (TC) meeting, the TC recommended:
- Install paint and post curb extensions on all four corners of the N Elmwood Avenue and Thomas Street intersection, extending onto both N Elmwood Avenue and Thomas Street
- Install speed cushions on N. Elmwood Avenue between Thomas Street and Division Street since Elmwood is part of the Neighborhood Greenway system
- Install ‘No left turn’ restrictions for northbound Ridgeland at Thomas Ave during rush hours from 7-9 am and 4-6 pm to minimize cut-through traffic
Additional traffic calming devices that are included as part of the Neighborhood Greenway treatments were shown as part of the presentation and included in the Transportation Commission’s recommendation to implement:
- Install diverters on the east and west legs of Thomas Street at Ridgeland Avenue to limit traffic on Thomas Street (The eastern diverter is scheduled for 2025 construction, and the western diverter is scheduled for 2026).
- Speed Cushion on Thomas St west of the intersection (part of the Neighborhood Greenway plan, scheduled for construction in 2026)
- Speed feedback radar sign (part of the 2025 Neighborhood Greenway project)
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Ordinance for establishing the no left turn restrictions on Ridgeland Avenue at Thomas Street. The other amendments all relate to existing restrictions which just have not been codified.
Advantages:
• This will reduce cut-through traffic on Thomas and Elmwood and reduce traffic on Neighborhood Greenway Streets.
Disadvantages:
• Northbound vehicles currently making left turns will either need to stay on Ridgeland to Division or may choose to turn left at Augusta Street. Staff will evaluate if there are impacts at these intersections following implementation of the no left turn restrictions, if approved.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can delay action to gain additional information.
Advantages:
• Board Members would be presented with the additional information they requested.
Disadvantages:
• The timing of the eventual Board action will impact the desired implementation schedule.
Alternative 2:
The Board can vote down the item.
Advantages:
• Voting down the item will allow for the full range of traffic turning movements to still occur at the Ridgeland and Thomas intersection.
Disadvantages:
• Misalignment with Transportation Commission, staff, and the Bike Plan Updates recommendation to reduce the volume of traffic on Neighborhood Greenway streets and address resident concerns.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Bill McKenna, Village Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director
Reviewed By: Rob Sproule, Public Works Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance