The Oak Lawn Social Services Corporation plans to distribute about $461,000 to nonprofit organizations, village trustees said last week.
Tax exempt entities that provide charitable, scientific and/or educational-based services that benefit Oak Lawn residents are eligible, commissioner member Steve Radice said in a statement.
Grants range from $2,500 to $100,000 and the deadline for submissions is March 31. The grants will be awarded May 1.
The corporation was established in the 1980s and was funded from a company that received cable TV rights in Oak lawn, according to Radice. The money was used for “charitable, scientific, and/or educational purposes,” and made donations to different groups and causes in the past, he said.
During the early 2000s, the corporation changed to a nonprofit organization that still made donations, just less frequently. The organization was made independent and separate from the village when its bylaws were amended years ago, Radice said.
For donations, requests can be sent in via mail to the Oak Lawn Village Hall, 9446 S. Raymond Ave., or by email to socialservice@oaklawn-il.gov.
“If you have a request for a donation or a project that you feel would need some funding from the village, please make sure you send it in,” said Trustee Alex Olejniczak.
The last recorded meetings of the corporation shown were in 2020.
Graffiti arrests
The Village Board also learned last week that two boys were arrested Feb. 20 following several incidents of graffiti, including at the Metra Patriot Station.
Olejniczak said the juveniles were charged with criminal damage to government supported property, possession of ammunition without a firearm ownership identification card and criminal defacement of property.
“We want people who disrespect our values in the village of Oak Lawn to know that if you come in Oak Lawn, and you do these things, you will get caught, and we will prosecute you,” said Olejniczak, who was mayor pro tempore for the meeting.
An Oak Lawn resident sent in photos related to the crime, which helped lead police to the arrest, said police Chief Daniel Vittorio. He asked residents to check their home security cameras and brought up registering for Fusus, a community camera registry that allows investigators to know homes that have such cameras.
Investigators do not have access to the camera, but can request video evidence if an incident occurs.
Early voting
The board reminded residents early voting runs through March 16 at the Oak Lawn Public Library. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 7 and on March 16; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 9-13; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 8 and 15.
Cam’ron Hardy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/03/400k-grants-oak-lawn-nonprofits/
