Oak Park has many ties to the City of Chicago and officials routinely call attention to the impact the two have on each other.

Austin Boulevard separates the village from the citys West Side, and Oak Park is one of the few suburbs with CTA L stops. The two were also in a lot of contact over the handgun ban laws, which were very similar and were both struck down by the Supreme Court.

So it only makes sense that the big news this week that Mayor Richard Daley wont be seeking another term in office has a major impact on the bordering suburb.

Oak Park Village President David Pope, who holds the mayor in high regard, said he understands why Daley will be leaving, but is sad to see him go.

Mayor Daley has provided true leadership, not just for Chicago but for the entire region, he said. For those of us who have been around for awhile, it is not hard to see the positive impact he has had.

Pope lavished praise on the soon-to-be former mayor, calling him a visionary who helped improve the entire region.

One of the major issues between the two municipalities is public safety and crime, and Pope said Daley helped foster a collaborative relationship to deal with both crime and nearby economic development. He also pointed to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, which Daley started in 1997 and now has 272 mayors and presidents, as an example of his desire to solve problems on a regional basis.

It is naive to think those opportunities and challenges start and stop at municipal boundaries, Pope said.

He said he hopes the next mayor brings the same outlook he believes Daley had.

For whoever the people elect to assume this role, I hope they understand and embrace the idea that we are all in this together, Pope said.