🌱 $70,000 Oak Park Robbery + Misused PPP Funds In Cook County

Hello and happy Wednesday! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

More humid in the afternoon. High: 85 Low: 69.

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

1. A Tinley Park resident experienced an armed robbery in Oak Park, resulting in a loss of approximately $70,000. The incident occurred in the 1000 block of Lake Street, where an unidentified male suspect forcibly entered the victim's vehicle, threatened the victim with a handgun, and stole valuable items, including an iPhone, debit/credit cards, and cash. The Oak Park Police Department is actively investigating the case and seeking witnesses or information to help apprehend the suspect. (Country Herald)
2. Five more cases of alleged fraud targeting the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) have surfaced among Cook County workers in Chicago, with individuals falsely claiming to own struggling companies to obtain over $240,000 in PPP funds. The total amount of PPP money stolen by county workers is estimated to be over $700,000, leading to prompt termination and resignation of those involved. Internal investigations are underway in affected organizations, including the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the Chicago Police and Fire Departments. (Play Illinois)
3. Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, who is retiring, has released a list of more than 150 law enforcement officers deemed unreliable as witnesses, leading to their inclusion in a "Do Not Call List." The list includes officers from the Chicago Police Department and other suburban departments, as well as a few outliers from the Illinois State Police, Cook County Sheriff's Office, Cook County Department of Corrections, and the University of Chicago. The move is part of the office's commitment to the Brady Giglio policy, aimed at improving prosecutorial integrity and rebuilding public trust in the criminal justice system. (Washington Examiner)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

Wednesday, July 19

• Workshop For Applicants Of Community Relations Commission Mini-Grant Program At Village Hall (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Mark your calendar for Music in the Garden on Jul. 22 at Oak Park Temple. There will be three more concerts following on Jul. 30, Aug. 19, and Aug. 31 at various locations around Oak Park. (Oak Park-River Forest Patch)
• The Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association + is hosting the Pride Picnic at Taylor Park on Jul. 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is free and aims to bring LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and allies of all ages together to celebrate and embrace their identities. The picnic offers various activities from local organizations, creating a safe and joyous space for the community. (Park District of Oak Park via Facebook)
• The CRC gymnasium offers open gym sessions every day of the week, including dedicated time for badminton, volleyball, basketball, and more. A monthly membership provides access to all indoor open gym activities. Check out the July schedule here. (Park District of Oak Park via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— 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.