🌱 Blood Drive To Support Local Teen + 'Thrones' Decoration Stolen

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest readers! In today's Daily:

• More Illinoisans are getting the REAL ID
• Forest Park seeks bus drivers amid shortage
• Good news for River Forest's solar energy program

But first, today's weather: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 67 Low: 44.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our Oak Park-River Forest Daily readers to local businesses they need to know about. If that’s you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top 4 stories today in Oak Park-River Forest:

1. A “Game of Thrones” Halloween decoration was stolen from a Forest Park lawn last week, the Review reports. An “iron throne” replica worth $1,000 was reported missing Oct. 5 from a condo building in the 7500 block of Madison Street. (Review)

2. A blood drive will be held tomorrow at River Forest Public Library to support a local teen receiving treatment for a rare form of anemia. The “Lauren B Fan Club” is hosting the drive in her honor as she receives “monthly, life-saving” blood transfusions. (Library)

3. COVID-19 experts are remaining vigilant as the pandemic approaches its third winter. Case counts climbed “slightly” in Illinois this week, but last week’s state positivity rate was among the lowest of the year. (NBC)

4. Nearly 3 million Illinois residents have obtained REAL ID cards, which will be required for air travel passengers beginning in May 2023. State officials are trying to raise awareness about the application process ahead of the spring deadline. (Patch)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Oak Park Township offers a "Rules of the Road" refresher class. (1:30 p.m.)
• Oak Park Public Library hosts artist Tim Leeming for a reception in honor of his exhibit, "About Face." (7 p.m.)
• The Luciano Antonio Duo performs at Triton College's Global Music Series. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Forest Park schools are reporting bus delays as a driver shortage continues. (Review)
• The Frank Lloyd Wright Races will be held this weekend in Oak Park. (PDOP)
• River Forest is officially a “SolSmart Silver” community. The Village obtained the silver designation thanks to its efforts to shift toward renewable energy. (VRF)
• Save the date: Oak Park musician Daryl Boggs and partner Wendy Morgan will host an album release party on Oct. 23 in Evanston. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Events:

• Festival of Hymns & Anthems (October 15)
• Chicago Artisan Market — Sunday, Oct. 16 at Morgan MFG (Fall Market) (October 16)
• Trinity High School Open House (October 16)
• Tale of the Tombstones (October 16)
• Add your event

That's the news for Wednesday. Thank you so much for reading!

— 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.