🌱 Complaints Against Police + No Decision On Van Buren Building

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's get to the news for Dec. 8.

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First, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 34, Low: 21.

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

1. Oak Park’s Citizen Police Oversight Committee is requesting more information about four recent complaints against the police department. Eight incidents have been reported to the committee since May, but members told the Village Board they need video evidence before they can investigate. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

2. Additional COVID-19 testing will take place at OPRF High School tomorrow as part of the district’s new mitigations. The school made news this week when it reversed course on its plan to cancel all sports and extracurricular activities due to a spike in cases and will now implement new safety measures instead. (Wednesday Journal)

3. The Oak Park Plan Commission is expected to make a decision this month about the controversial proposed apartment building at 7 Van Buren. After a four-hour meeting Dec. 2, the group “decided to hold off” on a final decision for two more weeks. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

4. An annual fundraiser for the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society will go virtual again this year. The online Holiday House Walk will be available for ticket holders beginning Dec. 10 with a $10,000 raffle winner being announced Dec. 21. (Wednesday Journal)

5. Loyola Medicine will distribute COVID-19 vaccines today at the West Cook YMCA. First, second and booster shots are available with no appointment necessary. (VOP)

Today's Oak Park-River Forest Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Oak Park-River Forest!

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• The 10th Annual PlanItGreen Leaders Forum is held via Zoom. (10 a.m.)
• See “White Christmas” on the big screen at Lake Theatre. (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
• Learn about “The Legend of the Christmas Spider” at Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center. (6 p.m.)
• Dominican University hosts the inaugural “Movemento” Festival of Arts & Culture. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• On this date in 1941, the Oak Park Civilian Defense effort formed committees to help the war effort after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Fenwick and OPRF students were recruited as auxiliary firefighters and air wardens, and more than 95 local medical professionals offered their services. (OPRF Museum)
• Registration is open for Oak Park Temple’s upcoming Red Cross blood drive. (OPT)
• River Forest is issuing snow-related reminders for residents this weekend, from parking rules to machinery restrictions. (VRF)
• A quick correction: Dominican University President Glena Temple’s name was misspelled in the Sunday edition of the Daily. My apologies for the error! (Patch)

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That's all for today! See you tomorrow for another Oak Park-River Forest Daily.

— Georgi Presecky

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