🌱 $150K Allocated For Local Asylum Seekers + Cook Co. Digital Divide

Good morning, neighbors! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 89 Low: 68.

Here are the top three stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Gov. JB Pritzker has allocated $41.5 million in awards to Chicago region local governments aiding asylum seekers, enabling them to offer essential services to those fleeing violence and threats. The funds cover shelter, housing, food, legal support, and health care. The Village of Oak Park is among the recipients, receiving $150,000 through the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus collaboration, aiming to enhance the quality of life for the region's residents. (ltgov.illinois.gov)
2. On Monday, Oct. 2, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle unveiled the inaugural Digital Equity Action Plan during Digital Inclusion Week. This plan will bridge the digital divide in Cook County by providing residents with equal access to digital infrastructure and tools necessary for success in the modern economy. The initiative encourages collaboration among residents, businesses, and community organizations to create impactful solutions related to digital accessibility, confidence, safety, security, and infrastructure. Additionally, Cook County's Bureau of Technology released an interactive Digital Equity Map, allowing residents to assess digital access in their communities. (cookcountyil.gov)
3. FEMA-led disaster recovery centers are now set up to assist victims of this summer's flooding in Chicago and its suburbs. Following President Joe Biden's federal emergency declaration due to the severe flooding between Jun. 29 and Jul. 2, these centers offer in-person help for residents affected. The centers, located in places like nearby Dolton and Maywood, provide support in applying for federal disaster assistance, document uploading, and guidance on property resilience measures. The deadline for FEMA registration is Oct. 16 and assistance can be accessed through FEMA's website or by calling (800) 621-3362. (NBC 5 Chicago)

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Today in and around Oak Park-River Forest:

Tuesday, October 3

• Fundamentals Of Drawing: Observational Drawing & Sighting At Main Library
  Small Meeting Room (10:00 AM)
• Todrick Hall At House Of Blues, Chicago (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Join Oak Park Climate Action Network on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 7:00 p.m. for a social event at One Lake Brewing. (Oak Park Climate Action Network via Facebook)
• Oak Park's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration continues this week with a Language Access Listening Session at Tacos '76 on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 6:00 p.m. Click the link to learn more. (Village of Oak Park, Illinois via Facebook)
• The Village of Oak Park is hosting a workshop on transitioning buildings from natural gas to fully electrified systems, featuring insights from experts. Topics on designing for improved building energy performance and available financial and technical assistance programs for new construction or renovations will be covered. The workshop will be held on Thursday, Oct. 5 and registration is available here. (Village of Oak Park, Illinois via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday. I'll see you soon!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.