Oak Park only has one block of brick street, but it had to be excavated five years ago. The question was to restore the brick or go with asphalt. The residents wanted their brick back and got it. This led Oak Park Village President David Pope to consider adding more brick streets. Their initial cost estimates indicate the higher price of brick can be more than offset by lower maintenance costs and longer life than asphalt. He asserts the rougher brick surface slows traffic and that there is less traffic on brick streets because drivers prefer driving smooth asphalt surfaces.

Other Chicago-area cities with brick streets include Downers Grove and Wilmette.