🌱 Burglar Targets Church + Restaurant Reopens + Sewer Work Plans

Happy Sunday, Oak Park and River Forest. Let's get to today's top stories.

But first, today's weather: Decreasing clouds. High: 40 Low: 37.

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

1. Oak Park State Senator Don Harmon issued a statement following the unexpected loss of colleague Sen. Scott Bennett this weekend. The 45-year-old Democrat from Champaign died of a brain tumor, his family said in a statement. Senate President Harmon said he is “devastated” while Gov. J.B. Pritzker said “the state is a better place thanks to his service.” (Paid source: Sun-Times)

2. Sewer work is expected to begin tomorrow at the new Pete’s Market location, according to the village manager. The month-long project will alter traffic patterns near Madison Street and Euclid Avenue. Bike lanes and on-street parking will be unavailable in the area. (VOP)

3. Forest Park Public Library wrapped up several small renovations in November, including a new elevator and light fixtures. The library also made major upgrades to its energy efficiency and added a new outdoor patio. (Review)

4. Lyric Opera singers will visit Oak Park later this month for a program at the Nineteenth Century Club. “Singers from the Lyric Celebrate the Season” is set for Dec. 19. (Paid source: Elm Leaves)

5. Several local organizations have partnered with Riveredge Hospital to collect winter clothing for people in need. The “Seasons of Hope” drive runs through Jan. 31. Drop-off locations include the Oak Park Township office, The Way Back Inn, Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex and the Maywood library. (Way Back Inn)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Oak Park Temple’s Maccabee Market is open. (9 a.m.)
• Kribi Coffee hosts an artisan market featuring work from local vendors and artists. (10 a.m.)
• Learn about local animal homes with a Trailside Museum guided hike. (1 p.m.)
• Make ornaments with the Oak Park Art League. (1:30 p.m.)
• Have holiday tea at Pleasant Home. (2 p.m.)
• The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest performs at Concordia University. (4 p.m.)
• Damien Sneed performs “Joy to the World: A Christmas Musical Journey” at Dominican University. (4 p.m.)
• City Voices perform "Sing We Joyous" at First United Church of Oak Park. (4 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A burglar stole $100 from collection boxes at St. Bernardine Catholic Church in late November. Forest Park police suspect the person broke in through a bathroom window. (Review)
• The virtual Holiday Housewalk For Healthy Kids hosted by the OPRF Infant Welfare Society is available for online viewing, now through Jan. 9. (OPRFIWS)
• River Forest resident and longtime local banker Michelle Collins is reflecting on 30 years of community in this week’s Wednesday Journal. (Wednesday Journal)
• Scratch Kitchen and Lounge reopened in November after a 10-month closure. (Wednesday Journal)
• The Village of River Forest is offering tips for sustainable gift-giving this season, from limiting paper products to gifting reusable presents. (VRF)

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Events:

• Chicago Artisan Market (Holiday Edition) - Sun, Dec 11th (December 11)
• Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest Presents Schumann and Sibelius (December 11)
• Raised in the Shadow of the Party (December 12)
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You're all caught up! See you tomorrow for a new week of Daily newsletters.

— 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.