🌱 4 Converter Thefts In 24 Hours + River Forest Actor Takes The Stage

It's Friday, Oak Park and River Forest! Here's everything you need to know heading into the weekend:

• Automatic tax refunds are on the way for thousands of Cook County homeowners
• The Chicago Bears are honoring a West Side nonprofit run by an Oak Park resident
• Warmer winter weather means delayed ice rink installation

But first, today's weather: Low clouds may break; colder. High: 34 Low: 29.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Three catalytic converters were stolen from parked cars Jan. 17-18, according to the Oak Park Police Department. A fourth attempt was abandoned when the car owner confronted the offenders mid-theft in the 800 block of North Cuyler. Estimated losses range from $1,500-$1,700. (OPPD)

2. More than 50,000 homeowners in Cook County will receive automatic refunds for overpayment of property taxes, according to the treasurer’s office. More than $47 million will be refunded. (NBC)

3. A village task force is considering “alternative calls for service” during mental health crises in Oak Park, according to a village press release. Under the current model, police are the first to respond to mental health-related calls. (VOP)

4. River Forest actor William Daly will star in an upcoming production of “Big Fish” at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. The 13 year old attends St. Giles School and started performing at Ovation Academy in Oak Park. Performances begin Jan. 25 and run through March 19. (Wednesday Journal)

5. Park District of Oak Park staff members have begun installing ice rink hardware at Taylor and Longfellow parks. Crews are waiting for lower temperatures to complete the process. “These warm winter days have held the rinks back from opening, but our staff is ready to move quickly once the extended forecast shows temperatures that will sustain ice,” the district shared in a social media post. (PDOP)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Toddler Exploration Time is held at the Oak Park Conservatory. (9:30 a.m.)
• Take a bird-painting workshop at Trailside Museum. (1 p.m.)
• Paint a masterpiece inspired by famous works of art at Dole Center. (6 p.m.)
• Austin Gardens hosts a “fossil frenzy” event for junior paleontologists. (6:30 p.m.)
• Attend a “Chronicles of Narnia” inspired party at Pleasant Home. (6:30 p.m.)
• Maya del Sol hosts a Spanish wine pairing dinner at Cheney Mansion. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• West Side nonprofit BUILD was recognized with the Chicago Bears Inspire Change Changemaker Award. Oak Park resident Adam Alonso joined the organization as CEO in 2015. (Wednesday Journal)
• Sewer work is underway at the new Pete’s Market location on Madison Street. (VOP)
• Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital will host a job fair Jan. 28. (Paid source: Daily Herald)
• The Forest Park Police Department kicked off its Citizen Police Academy this week. (Review)

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You're officially in the loop. See you tomorrow morning for another update!

— Georgi Presecky

About me: Georgi is a Chicago-based newsletter writer and partner content curator. She spent five years on the entertainment beat for FF2 Media covering film festivals across the U.S. Her feature articles have been recognized with awards from the Illinois Women's Press Association and National Federation of Press Women. As editor-in-chief of the Lewis University newspaper, she and her staff earned honors from the Associated Collegiate Press and American Scholastic Press Associations. She began working for Patch in 2019.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.