The Village and Public Works proudly celebrated Arbor Day by planting a tree this past April.

BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK

A large part of the reason Oak Brook is such a beautiful place to live is because of the capable and conscientious Public Works Department. The role of the department is primarily to plan, construct, and maintain a town’s essential infrastructure and services. Director Tim O’Malley leads the department.

When asked how he got into the field, O’Malley relayed the gratification he came to know from a job well done while working at a natural gas utility company over several years, earlier in his career. “The feeling of satisfaction naturally transitioned to public service and has allowed me to provide the residents of Oak Brook with that same high level of service.”

The public service portion of his career began while working in the Des Plaines Public Works Department, where he worked before coming to Oak Brook. O’Malley worked specifically in snow plowing and paving, before transferring to the sewer division, where he was quickly promoted to foreman.

After earning his Bachelor of Business Administration, he joined the Oak Brook Public Works Department to be able to utilize his management experience. O’Malley now oversees a department of about 20 employees.

Oak Brook Public Works Director Tim O’Malley

“Our goal is to keep Oak Brook beautiful and functioning at its very best.”

— TIM O’MALLEY

In a town the size of Oak Brook, capital improvement projects are ongoing. When asked how the department prioritizes ventures, O’Malley stated that each project is approached on an individual basis and treated with the same consideration. Several criteria are used to evaluate prioritization, including infrastructural necessity, benefit to the community, cost, grant opportunities and engineering estimates. Calculated decisions are made based on the results of these considerations.

The department follows a five-year plan for capital improvement projects to assist in budgeting. At the moment, water main replacements and storm sewer improvements in the Woodside Estates and Forest Glen subdivisions are underway. This year, street improvements are taking place in Timber Trail, Merry Lane, Yorkshire Woods, and Forest Gate.

When asked if there are projects of which O’Malley is particularly proud, he mentioned an in-house paving program that began as a pilot to pave the village-owned shared-use pathways in various locations throughout town. It’s a project that has not only been gratifying to the Public Works staff in terms of providing great results, but it has also saved the village approximately $1.3 million compared to the initial engineering estimates.

O’Malley enjoys being at the helm of the Public Works Department. He finds great satisfaction in overseeing a department that provides such a vast variety of operations and services. He knows his crew shares like-minded goals and has the same intention of delivering a high level of customer service, for which the team has earned a reputation.

Regardless of the positive attributes associated with the department, the work can be challenging, particularly with so many projects going on simultaneously. But O’Malley knows the best way to meet a challenge is with an optimistic and hopeful mindset. Rather than focusing on obstacles, O’Malley said he “treats each challenge as an opportunity for growth and learning rather than a setback.”

One look around our village substantiates his leadership style and dedication to keeping Oak Brook beautiful and well-maintained.

How Oak Brook Stays Safe And Beautiful

Oak Brook’s Public Works Department keeps the village safe, functional, and attractive through essential year-round services:

Street Maintenance
Over 55 miles of streets are maintained, including pavement markings, signage, traffic signals, lighting, and brush removal.

Snow & Ice Control
Crews salt roads for light snow and plow once accumulation reaches 1½ inches, prioritizing main roads before secondary streets and cul-de-sacs. Most streets are cleared within 10 hours after a storm ends. Major roads like Route 83 and 22nd Street are maintained by state or county agencies.

Leaf Collection & Tree Care
Each fall, residents can place leaves on the parkway for curbside pickup. More than 9,000 parkway trees are professionally pruned on a four-year cycle to keep them healthy and clear of vehicles.

Sewer & Pathway Maintenance
Storm sewer inlets are cleaned regularly to ensure proper drainage and protect waterways. The Village and Park District maintain about 15 miles of pedestrian and bike paths.

Mosquito Abatement
The Village contracts with specialists to treat mosquito larvae and, when necessary, spray to reduce adult populations and mitigate West Nile Virus risk.