In 2025, I was appointed to the Board as a climate champion, civic technologist, and progressive.
Since then, I have championed programs and grants to help residents transition to clean energy in their homes, protect our residents from the abuses of ICE and mass surveillance, and to make Oak Park a more affordable, safer, and healthier place to live.
I am so proud of all we have accomplished for Oak Park in the last 14 months, and I am eager to continue serving this Village that I love.
That is why, come April 6, 2027, I am asking for your vote.
About Derek
I am an entrepreneur, programmer, civic technology leader and climate advocate. I use data, builds tools, and organizes people to democratize power. I am the Founder and Partner of DataMade, a data and web consultancy for civil society working toward democracy, justice, and equity and the Co-Founder and President Emeritus of Chi Hack Night, a free, weekly event in Chicago to build, share and learn about civic technology.
In July 2025, I was appointed to the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees.
Priorities
Climate Action
Leading the way on policies that reduce emissions and increase resilience to save our future.
Data driven
Governing with accountability, data-driven decisions, and open access to the public.
Collaboration
Working with all government bodies to share resources and strategies that support all Oak Parkers.
Progressive values
Fighting for racial equity, LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights so everyone in Oak Park can live and thrive here.
Writing
Derek Eder for Oak Park Village Trustee
Published on Oct 1, 2026
Today I am officially launching my campaign for Oak Park Village Trustee. Last year, I was appointed to the Board as a climate champion, civic technologist, and progressive. Since then, I have championed programs and grants to help residents transition to clean energy in their homes, protect our residents from the abuses of ICE and mass surveillance, and to make Oak Park a more affordable, safer, and healthier place to live. I am so proud of all we have accomplished for Oak Park in the last 14 months, and I am eager to continue serving this Village that I love.
What can we do about the affordability crisis in Oak Park?
Published on Jul 20, 2026
As we discuss what the Village of Oak Park can do to address affordability, it is important to look at the big picture and understand what is ultimately driving this national crisis: rising inequality and wealth concentration. There is no one policy change that will fix an issue as big as this. But as a Board, we do have tools we can use that will help. We need to change the zoning code to allow for more middle density housing, expand the inclusionary housing ordinance, and ensure that they work in tandem together to encourage the right mix of affordable and market-rate housing.
My big votes in 2025 as an Oak Park Village Trustee
Published on Jan 8, 2026
On June 17, 2025, I joined the Oak Park Village Board as a Trustee. Because this was my first time as a legislator of a municipality, the first few weeks felt like a whirlwind, of orienting myself to municipal government, meeting senior Village staff and my fellow Trustees, learning board protocols, and getting up to speed to vote on dozens of policies and initiatives already in progress. Now, six months in, and with the start of a new year, it seems like a good time to pause and reflect on what I’ve learned, the major Board votes I made, and what I expect to see and do in 2026.
Why I voted to cancel Oak Park's contract with Flock (and so should you)
Published on Aug 22, 2025
On August 5th, 2025, I voted along with the 5-2 majority on the Oak Park Village Board to cancel our contract with Flock Safety, Inc and deactivate the 8 Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras that have been operating in our community since 2022. This post is for my peers in other cities - elected officials across Illinois and the US. Here's why you should vote to remove this dangerous technology from your community.
Electrifying Our Old Oak Park Home
Published on Nov 1, 2022
In 2022 and 2023, I documented our process of fully electrifying our 100-year-old home in Oak Park, IL. We installed solar panels on our roof (giving us a source of free renewable electricity), switched out our gas furnace with electric heat pumps, and replaced all gas appliances with electric equivalents. Home electrification is one of the most impactful actions any household can do to fight climate change, and it will improve your home comfort and lower your energy bills in the process. And with all the new incentives and rebates available, it costs less than you think.
