🌱 Candidate Forum Tonight + Sleep Out Event Raises Awareness For Vets

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! I'm so happy to be back curating your daily newsletter. In today's edition:

• The River Forest Police Department appoints a deputy chief
• Local women protest Gov. Ron DeSantis' Illinois visit
• A new playground is on the way in Washington Commons

But first, today's weather: Winds becoming strong; mist. High: 44 Low: 19.

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

1. Fifty-five people reported positive COVID-19 cases to the Oak Park Department of Public Health last week. It is the highest reported case count since Jan. 13. (VOP)

2. The League of Women Voters of Oak Park & River Forest will host a forum tonight with the candidates running for Oak Park trustee. The virtual event can be accessed through the Oak Park Public Library website. Election day is April 4. (OPPL)

3. Oak Park resident Erich Krumrei held the inaugural Sleep Out 4 Change event last week in Forest Park. The veteran, Play It Again Sports owner and Housing Forward board member, raised more than $7,000 and awareness for the plight of unhoused vets. “There’s a whole lot of issues that affect veterans when they come back from overseas,” said Krumrei said. “Housing shouldn’t be one of them.” (Wednesday Journal)

4. Oak Parker Sue Sporte joined more than 100 protesters Monday in Elmhurst where Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was attending a “Back the Blue” law enforcement event. Sporte told the Sun-Times DeSantis is “a symptom of a whole lot of what’s wrong,” particularly in reference to his championing of a “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida. “We should be a country that accepts everyone,” she said. “And that includes transgender people. It includes gay people.” (Paid source: Sun-Times)

5. James Greenwood was appointed deputy chief of the River Forest Police Department earlier this month. He has served the department since 1997. (Wednesday Journal)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• OPRF Chamber members receive a discount today at Val’s halla Records. (11 a.m.)
• River Forest Public Library hosts a STEM challenge for kids and teens. (3:30 p.m.)
• A ribbon-cutting ceremony is held at Wild Fork. (4:30 p.m.)
• Sample beers from Exit Strategy Brewing Company at Cheney Mansion’s Bonfires and Brews event. (7 p.m.)
• Unity Temple hosts a free presentation with the senior designer behind the renovation of Tribune Tower. (7 p.m.)
• Join the OPRF Museum’s new History Book Club. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A new playground is in the works at Washington Commons in River Forest, the park district announced this week. Construction is expected to begin in August. The current playground has not been updated in 20 years. (Patch)
• The Trinity High School basketball team will compete in the sectional finals today. (THS)
• Wonder Works Children’s Museum is hosting a “Wonderivia Trivia Night” fundraising event tomorrow. (Chamber)
• Elm Leaves reports that Triton College is inviting members of the public to join its band and choir programs. (Paid source: Elm Leaves)
• Turano Baking Company is planning to add solar panels to its facility as part of its parking lot expansion project. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

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Featured events:

• Easing into home ownership: learn all about how to buy a home! (February 23)
• Juan de Marcos & the Afro-Cuban All Stars (February 26)
• Paralegal Studies Information Session (February 28)
• James Beard Nominated Brown Sugar Bakery is perfect for any occasion! Order by Tuesday. (March 2)
• Gourmet, fresh pasta meals for the family from Gemma Foods are coming to you! Order by Tuesday. (March 2)
• Tortas, Burritos, + More from Fan Favorite Irazu Costa Rican on Friday. Order by Thursday. (March 3)
• Fresh and Delicious Slices from Top-Rated Five Squared Pizza coming to you! Order by Friday. (March 4)
• 2nd Annual International Women’s Day Concert — A Tribute to Women in the Arts (March 5)
• Add your event

You're all caught up on the latest local news! Thanks for being here.

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.