Village, Local Businesses Offer Home Improvement Incentive Program

The village has announced a new incentive program that will save Oak Lawn residents money and help support local businesses, as residents update their homes and property.

Starting Monday, residents can get $100 off on building permits on certain home improvement projects that don’t require a plan review. The program applies only to permits obtained from May 12 through May 23, 2014, and are good for up to one year.

Trustee Tim Desmond (Dist. 1) announced the unique program at the April 22 village board meeting as “a way for local government to put money into resident’s pockets, instead of always taking money out of their pockets.”

The program also hopes to spur spending in local stores and encourage hiring of local contractors, which will turn into jobs for local residents. If anyone has been putting off that new roof, fence or sidewalk, this is the time to do it. The village will waive permit fees of up to one hundred dollars.”

The incentive will only apply for the following types of work:

• Patio and balcony/decks,

• Garden, retaining walls and columns

• Swimming pools

• Re-roofs

• Minor residential remodels that don’t require a plan review

• Energy efficient upgrades

• Miscellaneous plumbing, mechanical and electrical projects that don’t require a plan review.

In a show of support for the Village’s Shop Oak Lawn/Hire Oak Lawn initiatives many local businesses, including Key Carpet, Sherwin-Williams Paints (Oak Lawn location), Home Depot of Oak Lawn, OWL Lumber and Hardwood, Fasel and Sons Garden Center and C & L Electrical Supply Company will be offering discounts on home improvement services, supplies and materials to Oak Lawn residents throughout the month of May. 

“I hope all residents take advantage of this incentive program,” Desmond said.” If it is successful, we can expand it to other areas. It’s a simple thing that can make a big difference.”

Residents can go to the Village of Oak Lawn website and apply for a building permit and view a list of Oak Lawn licensed contractors and participating businesses.

Source: Shop Oak Lawn/Hire Oak Lawn