123 Madison Street  
Oak Park, Illinois 60302  
www.oak-park.us  
Village of Oak Park  
Meeting Minutes  
President and Board of Trustees  
Tuesday, October 25, 2022  
6:00 PM  
Village Hall  
I. Call to Order  
Village President Scaman called the Public Hearing to order at 6:04 P.M.  
II. Roll Call  
Trustee Buchanan arrived to the meeting at 6:36 P.M.  
7 -  
Present:  
Absent:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village  
Trustee Wesley  
0
III. Consideration of Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session to Discuss Collective  
Bargaining and Pending Litigation  
It was moved by Village Trustee Wesley, seconded by Village Trustee Enyia, to  
enter into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) - Collective  
Bargaining, and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) - Pending Litigation. The motion was  
approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:  
6 -  
AYES:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village  
Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Wesley  
0
NAYS:  
1 - Village Trustee Buchanan  
ABSENT:  
IV. Adjourn Executive Session  
The Public Hearing went into Executive Session at 6:06 P.M.  
V. Reconvene to Special Meeting in Council Chambers and Call to Order  
The Public Hearing reconvened at 7:03 P.M.  
VI. Roll Call  
7 -  
0
Present:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village  
Trustee Wesley  
Absent:  
VII. Agenda Approval  
It was moved by Village Trustee Wesley, seconded by Village Trustee Buchanan,  
to approve the Agenda. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was  
as follows:  
7 -  
AYES:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village  
Trustee Wesley  
0
0
NAYS:  
ABSENT:  
VIII. Non-Agenda Public Comment  
The following person spoke the Non-Agenda Public Comment aloud:  
Sylvia Schweri: Sylvia Schweri spoke their public comment on behalf of  
Bike Walk Oak Park regarding their recently produced D-97 School Safety  
Report that analyzes car, bike, and pedestrian crash rates near D-97  
schools with recommended improvements for active transportation safety.  
They hope that the Village will support specific proposals or requests that  
arise. We also hope that this report will sway the Board to support a larger  
appropriation for active transportation infrastructure in 2023.  
Clerk Waters read the following Non-Agenda Public Comment aloud:  
Liz Holt: Liz Holt submitted their public comment on behalf of the Oak Park  
River Forest Chamber of Commerce regarding the proposed action of the  
Village Board to reduce free parking in the garages and increase revenue  
by increasing current parking fees at the Village’s parking garages and  
metered parking. They urged the Board to hold off on taking action as there  
is an overwhelming lack of understanding of the need for these changes  
and the impact of them, and the process that went into arriving at the  
proposal. They feel the community has not been heard on the issue which  
may have direct economic and social impacts on both residents and  
businesses in the Village.  
IX. Public Hearing  
ID 22-360  
A.  
A Public Hearing to Determine Whether Ordinance 22-65, “An Ordinance  
Amending Chapter 8 (“Business Licensing”), Article 20 (“Service Stations”),  
of the Oak Park Village Code to Add a New Section 8-20-7 (“Hours of  
Operation),” Shall Be Amended  
It was moved by Village Trustee Wesley, seconded by Village  
Trustee Enyia, to open the Public Hearing. The motion was  
approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:  
AYES: 7 - Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village  
Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village  
Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Wesley  
NAYS: 0  
ABSENT: 0  
President Scaman opened the Public Hearing.  
Village Attorney Paul Stephanides provided background on the reason for  
the Public Hearing.  
President Scaman then gave instructions for Public Comment.  
Village Manager Kevin Jackson introduced Interim Police Chief Shatonya  
Johnson who then gave a presentation regarding the public safety  
concerns with 24-hour service stations in Oak Park.  
Attorney John Ellis, legal counsel for seven of the 24-hour service stations,  
gave a presentation regarding the Ordinance in question and its impact on  
the 24- hour service stations.  
Harry Singh, manager of the BP Gas Station at 100 Chicago Avenue,  
provided comments regarding the impact of the Ordinance on his business  
and the community, as well as steps he has taken to ensure the safety at  
his service station.  
Albin Poothurail, representing the BP Gas Station at 7140 Roosevelt  
Road, provided comments regarding the impact of the Ordinance on his  
business and the community, including multiple franchise supplier  
agreements that require their station to receive gas at all times of the day  
Attorney Ellis then noted the crime statistics cited by the Ordinance - out of  
the 16 violent incidences, 5 were committed outside the hours covered in  
the Ordinance. He then reviewed the incidences at each 24-hour service  
station and spoke of correlation versus causation; he does not see any  
indication that these incidents happened at the service stations because  
they were open between 12 and 5 A.M. He does not believe that these  
businesses being open cause crime and believes less crime happens  
when these businesses are well lit, attended, constantly surveilled, and  
protected by private security in connection with Village police presence.  
Steven Kent, President of Chicago Security Professionals, provided  
comments regarding how implementing security measures such as mobile  
patrols, increased lighting and surveillance, could make a difference in the  
safety at 24-hour service stations.  
Attorney Ellis then requested that the Ordinance be amended with an  
expiration date, and with a requirement that the service stations will  
continue to implement mitigation measures including security cameras,  
lighting, and having private security patrol all the stations between the hours  
of 11:30 P.M. and 5:30 A.M.  
A recess was called by President Scaman at 7:48 P.M.  
The Public Hearing resumed at 8:02 P.M.  
The following person spoke their Public Comments aloud:  
Josephine Smith: Josephine Smith spoke their public comment in  
support of closing service stations between 12 A.M. and 5 A.M. They feel  
like they are in a world where there is nothing they can do to stop the  
violence surrounding us, but closing Oak Park gas stations from midnight  
to 5 A.M. is something we can do.  
Interim Chief Johnson commented there are three things that need to be  
present at the same time in order for a crime to occur: a victim, an offender,  
and a location. The Village is trying to eliminate the location so they can  
eliminate crime. The service stations who are not open 24 hours do not  
experience crime or merchandise theft during their closed hours of  
operation. Regarding security measures, cameras are great but do not  
deter crime, and the armed security guards would protect property and  
vacant lots, not human lives.  
Interim Chief Johnson added there are other businesses that are open 24  
hours; no violent crimes have occurred at those other locations between 12  
A.M. and 6 A. M., other than the two 7-Eleven locations in the Village which  
have experienced violent crimes.  
The following persons spoke their Public Comments aloud:  
No Name Stated: A person who did not introduce themselves spoke their  
public comment regarding the 7-Eleven store he owns that has been  
robbed at gunpoint. Their employees do not want to work the overnight  
hours as they are scared, and he is unable to voluntarily close his location  
due to his contract with 7-Eleven. He would be able to close if the village  
passed an Ordinance. He requested the Board to include his stores in the  
Ordinance so that he would be able to close his stores from 12 A.M. to 6  
A.M.  
Ashish Patel: Ashish Patel spoke their public comment regarding the  
7-Eleven store he owns at 240 Chicago Avenue. They indicated there is a  
lot of crime on Chicago Avenue and are unable to maintain staff to work the  
overnight shift, but they are obligated with 7-Eleven to remain open. They  
expressed their support for this Ordinance and would like his business be a  
part of it.  
Brad Farris: Brad Farris spoke their public comment regarding safety in  
their neighborhood and the fact that the 24-hour gas stations are crime  
hotspots based on information they received through FOIA. They rebutted  
that the gas stations serve as an overnight convenience for gas or would go  
out of business if they were not open 24 hours. He also rebutted the service  
station's claim that they care about security as they have not taken any  
action for security of the neighborhood prior to the murder.  
Karen Burke: Karen Burke spoke their public comment regarding the  
neighbors of 100 Chicago Avenue were in the process of trying to address  
a myriad of issues with the BP Gas Station when we lost Jaelyn Logan  
Bledsoe. She is sorry for the loss of income the business owners face but  
that pales in comparison to the loss of life. Any victim of violent crime  
knows there is a cost they carry for the rest of their life if they survive it.  
Right now we are looking at the cost of negligence and a failure to respond.  
Karl Leonard: Karl Leonard, who lives on the 600 block of North Taylor,  
spoke their public comment thanking the Board for doing something  
regarding the violent crime. He commented the Board had the right  
priorities when it took steps to protect his kids and the other people that  
live there. The gas station has different priorities. Inaction has  
consequences and they could have taken steps sooner but chose not to.  
He thanked the Board for doing what the gas station owners would not and  
asked to keep the Ordinance in place and take further action to keep the  
community safe.  
Carolyn Newberry Schwartz: Carolyn Newberry Schwartz, who lives on  
the 500 block of North Taylor, spoke their public comment expressing their  
gratitude for the Board's time considering this issue and responsiveness to  
the residents. They believe the Ordinance is a necessary response to the  
increasing violence and reducing opportunities for violence, or the location  
of where violence occurs, makes a lot of sense. There has been a positive  
change in their neighborhood since the BP Gas Station has closed at night  
- they are living a quieter more peaceful life, all using non-law enforcement  
activities.  
Diane Ratekin: Diane Ratekin spoke their public comment requesting the  
Board to maintain the Ordinance. Government has the ability to make laws  
and ordinances in order to protect their citizens. They thought it was telling  
the 7-Eleven owners have a provision in their contracts that they do not  
need to meet certain standards if the government changes the rules on  
them, and assumes the gas stations also have similar provisions.  
Kristi Osga: Kristi Osga, who lives on the 500 block of North Taylor, spoke  
their public comment regarding when they moved to the block 50 years ago  
it was a very safe neighborhood to raise a family in. The neighborhood is  
not safe anymore and one problem is the 24-hour gas station that is  
attracting nuisances and creating havoc. They added we need to think first  
for the safety of the children and everybody.  
Kim Vulinivic: Kin Vulinovic, a resident of the 400 block of North Taylor,  
spoke their public comment regarding the benefit to the neighborhood's  
quality of life since the BP Gas Station has been closed. They thanked the  
Board for the Ordinance and requested that they stand firm not only for the  
safety of the community, but also for the value of our homes.  
Susan Abbott: Susan Abbott, a resident of the 500 block of North Taylor,  
spoke their public comment regarding how safe they felt raising their family  
in the neighborhood, but do not feel safe anymore. They feel 2.75 violent  
crimes per year is not a selling point, and spoke of the effect the violent  
crimes may have and the trauma the neighborhood children and adults may  
carry for the rest of their lives. They thanked the Board for their action,  
adding a 12-35% loss in revenue will never be weighed against a loss of  
life and loss of mental health of our children and adults who are suffering in  
the community.  
Georgina Swanson: Georgina Swanson, a resident of the 500 block of  
North Taylor, spoke their public comment expressing their appreciation of  
the action taken by the Board in September. They believe things can  
change, change to make things better and safer for the entire community  
while supporting local businesses. They were shocked that the  
neighborhood was only given 24 hours notice that the public hearing was  
taking place. They are counting on the elected officials to keep their  
community safe, and citizen's safety must be a top priority.  
Bill Donovan: Bill Donovan spoke their public comment applauding the  
village for taking the action that they have. They are afraid for their family,  
their neighbors, and the community if we cannot protect them. Violence at  
late night establishments is well known, and if we can control the violence  
by limiting the hours of operation then we should. A safer community is  
what we all want, and he urged the Board to stay vigilant and support the  
Ordinance.  
Caitlin Roukin: Caitlin Roukin, a resident of the 600 block of North Taylor,  
spoke their public comment expressing their concerns over the lack of  
safety concerns by the gas station for their patrons. They have seen on two  
separate occasion someone smoking by the gas pumps. When the gas  
station was made aware, they did not do anything. They asked isn't a living  
taxpayer more financially viable than a deceased one; isn't an injured  
person who needs social services and health services more of a burden on  
the community.  
Attorney Ellis commented they were not going to make a closing argument,  
but that they have heard everything said tonight and respect it, and they  
take the concerns seriously. They thanked the Board for allowing them the  
chance to be there, and remain committed to working with the village  
throughout the rest of this.  
President Scaman stated all persons who wish to be heard have been  
given the opportunity to do so.  
President Scaman asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing.  
It was moved by Village Trustee Enyia, seconded by Village Trustee  
Wesley, to close the Public Hearing. The motion was approved. The  
roll call on the vote was as follows:  
AYES: 7 - Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village  
Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village  
Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Wesley  
NAYS: 0  
ABSENT: 0  
_________________________________________________________  
President Scaman then announced the Board would proceed with a  
discussion of Ordinance 22-65.  
Trustee Buchanan requested clarification regarding the claims that the gas  
station owners have made on a repeated basis, including in the  
newspaper, that they would have to close if they were to close down  
between midnight and 5 A.M. They were given the percentages of income  
or revenue gained during those hours between 12-35%, but the attorney  
actually used the term "at night". She wondered if there is any actual data  
on the amount of revenue loss between midnight and 5 A.M.  
Village Manager Jackson responded the Village had requested data this  
past summer from the service stations and had not received any response  
to the request prior to the adoption of the Ordinance.  
Attorney Ellis added each of the owners has submitted a sworn affidavit  
under oath testifying what their particular percentage of lost revenue would  
be for those 5 hours. The percentages range from 12-35% but differs for all  
those affidavits. After the proceedings began, the parties requested and  
exchanged written discovery. One of the things the Village requested was  
additional data on that and they were in the process of producing that when  
the court entered into a state of discovery.  
Trustee Enyia commented one of the factors the gas station owners  
brought up was their 10 year contracts, and requested clarification if there  
are any opportunities or remedies to receive the shipments of gas at  
different periods of time.  
Mr. Sighn responded before he had voluntarily closed his station they were  
doing 58,000 gallons per month and are now down to 40,000 gallons per  
month which is roughly 2.4 million gallons of gas over ten years. There is a  
way out but they would have to pay off the lost gas or extend their contract.  
Trustee Taglia expressed his appreciation for both sides coming together  
tonight. He heard some things that he hadn't heard before and appreciated  
that. He feels what the Board is trying to do is be proactive and listen to the  
statistics as they were presented and the numbers of when the violence  
was occurring. That is the function of government - to listen and adapt  
accordingly.  
Trustee Robinson expressed their gratitude for everyone who came out to  
share their thoughts and comments. As an elected official, they are  
charged with prioritizing policies that help the community and promote the  
core community values including prioritizing safety of our residents, visitors,  
and businesses. The crime statistics are significant as the have continuing  
effects in the committing of additional crimes or the expansion of the range  
of crimes. Even with safety protocols in place, we have seen an  
environment that has a propensity towards being unsafe, and the goal is to  
determine the safest measure to take, not the bare minimum. The  
community deserves measures that are comprehensive and achieve the  
greatest opportunity for the safety of everyone.  
Trustee Parakkat expressed empathy towards the business owners in the  
loss of revenue. Based on the facts we have to prioritize community safety.  
Unfortunately, the location of the violent crimes is one of the things that can  
be controlled, but he recognized that does not take away from the  
macroeconomic factors that are the underlying reason for crime such as  
economic disparities, gun violence or gun reform. Those are not under the  
Board's control to mandate, so the Board has to necessarily do what is  
required to keep the community safe.  
Trustee Wesley expressed his appreciation for everyone who came out to  
express their concerns. As he was not an elected official at the time the  
Ordinance was enacted, this evening's discussion was very helpful for his  
understanding of both sides of the issue.  
Trustee Enyia commented he has been a resident of Oak Park for over  
thirty years and is very familiar with the gas stations and the fact that there  
has been an increase in violence for a while at the 100 Chicago Avenue  
location. It is unfortunate that it takes someone losing their life to come  
together and talk about some of the problems and issues that face our  
community and business owners. Business owners are part of the  
community and it is on them to create a sense of community with the rest of  
the residents. Businesses need to do more if they want residents feel they  
are part of the community. He understands the financial impact that the  
businesses are going through, but when you think about one person's life,  
people would pay anything to have a lost loved one back in their lives.  
President Scaman asked if there was a desire from the Board to direct  
staff to amend the Ordinance to potentially add the 7-Eleven stores or  
make any other adjustments, and to bring it back to the Board for  
consideration on November 7, 2022.  
Trustee Buchanan was in favor of bringing forward the Ordinance again  
and to include the 7-Eleven stores.Trustee Taglia agreed.  
President Scaman then directed staff to bring the Ordinance back to the  
Board on November 7 for further discussion at that time.  
It was moved by Village Trustee Wesley, seconded by Village Trustee Enyia, to  
open the Public Hearing. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote  
was as follows:  
7 -  
AYES:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village  
Trustee Wesley  
0
0
NAYS:  
ABSENT:  
X. Adjourn  
It was moved by Village Trustee Parakkat, seconded by Village Trustee Enyia, to  
Adjourn. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. The Meeting  
adjourned at 9:06 P.M., Tuesday, October 25, 2022.  
Respectfully Submitted,  
Deputy Clerk DeViller