The village of Oak Brook is located in DuPage County, Illinois, within the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of Oak Brook was recorded at 8,163 residents.
Located just outside of Chicago, this suburb is home to the main offices of several well-known companies, including Ace Hardware, Blistex, Federal Signal, CenterPoint Properties, Sanford L.P., TreeHouse Foods, and Lions Clubs International. Notably, it was also the former headquarters of fast food giant McDonald’s and Ferrara Candy.
Fullersburg, now recognized as Oak Brook, owes its origins to Ben Fuller, a pioneering inhabitant.
In 1958, Oak Brook was officially established as a village, thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of Paul Butler, a well-known community leader and landowner who had a deep connection to the area. His father had relocated to the vicinity in 1898 and started a dairy farm, paving the way for the family’s long-standing presence in the community.
Oak Brook is situated approximately 19 miles to the west of downtown Chicago, known as the Chicago Loop.
The majority of Oak Brook is made up of housing neighborhoods, except for the Oakbrook Center mall as well as various retail and office buildings located along 22nd Street and the Interstate 88 area in the village’s northern section.
The Village’s 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report reveals the top employers in the city, with Oakbrook Center leading the way with 7,000 employees. Following closely behind are Advocate Health Care with 1,853 employees, Ace Hardware with 1,056 employees, and Hub Group with 754 employees. Rounding out the top five are Chamberlain Group with 680 employees and Blistex with 462 employees. Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Millennium Trust, Lions Clubs International, and TreeHouse Foods also make appearances on the list, with 448, 431, 315, and 278 employees, respectively.
The schools in Oak Brook, Brook Forest Elementary and Butler Junior High, are part of Butler School District 53.
Independent educational institutions
Oakbrook’s Sunshine Montessori
Oak Brook is connected by a system of important federal, state, and county highways, which include the Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 294), the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate 88), and the Eisenhower Expressway (Interstate 290). Pace bus routes serve the commercial area.
Illustrious Individuals
Chris Chelios, a defenseman who won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings and also played for the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and Atlanta Thrashers.
William J. Cullerton, a flying ace during World War II and the former host of “Great Outdoors” on WGN Radio.
Bill Gothard, the founder of Institute In Basic Life Principles, a Christian sect that gained popularity through the Duggar family.
Stan Mikita, a center who won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Dick Portillo, the founder of the Portillo Restaurant Group.
Ed Rensi, a former CEO of McDonald’s.
Frank Thomas, a first baseman who played for several Major League Baseball teams and lived in Oak Brook from 1996 to 2003.
Ty Warner, the founder of the toy company Ty.
Frank Calabrese, Sr., a made man and caporegime of the Chicago Outfit.