Construction Delays Pete's Market + Lake & Lathrop Project

Welcome to the weekend, Oak Park and River Forest! Catch up on the week’s headlines with our daily newsletter.

First, today's weather: Rain in the evening, with a high of 89 and low of 73.

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

1. Construction has yet to begin on a proposed residential and retail building at the corner of Lake Street and Lathrop Avenue. Contractors say work will take about 16 months and result in more than 20 condominiums, but there is no projected start date. (Wednesday Journal)

2. The pandemic has delayed progress on the Pete’s Fresh Market project on Madison Street. Oak Park’s director of development customer services Tammie Grossman was quick to quash social media rumors that construction was cancelled. (Wednesday Journal)

3. The Oak Park Theatre Festival production of “The Tempest” continues to make headlines across Chicagoland due to its added relevance in a pandemic world. The show runs through Aug. 21 at Austin Gardens. (CBS2)

4. Oak Park residents are praising the state of Illinois’ efforts to recognize Asian American history in public schools. Oak Park native Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz said: “A lack of knowledge is the root cause of discrimination, and the best weapon against ignorance is education.” (Wednesday Journal)

5. A coalition of Czech immigrants is attempting to save the historic Klas Restaurant building in Cicero, which was built in the 1920s but faces demolition after sitting vacant for five years. (WBEZ)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest

• Visit the Oak Park Farmers’ Market in the Pilgrim Church parking lot. (7 a.m.)
• Make a “mini fantasy garden" at the Oak Park Conservatory. (1 p.m.)
• Take “a stroll through River Forest history” with the OPRF Museum’s 90-minute walking tour. (2 p.m.)
• The Madison Street Sidewalk Sale continues through Sunday in Forest Park. (All day)
• Join car enthusiasts for Cars & Coffee. (8:30 a.m. Sunday)
• Listen to Billy Joel and Elton John covers in Scoville Park. (6 p.m. Sunday)

Oak Park-River Forest Patch Notebook

• On this date in 1915, 10 Oak Park and River Forest residents boarded the ill-fated S.S. Eastland in the Chicago River. (OPRF Museum)
• Tomorrow is the final day to take part in the Forest Park Library’s Nature Scavenger Hunt. (Forest Park Review)
• Oak Park native Cecily Strong’s memoir “This Will All Be Over Soon” is set for an August release. (Simon and Schuster)
• The Brown Cow in Forest Park served “scoops of gratitude” last weekend thanks to a GoFundMe partnership. (Wednesday Journal)
• The last mass vaccination site in Cook County closed this week for the health department to focus on communities with low vaccine rates. (CBS2)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events/Job Listings:

• FREE-Family Food Giveaway (July 24)
• Free Family Mini Photo Session (August 7)
• Now Hiring Butchers! (Details)

You're all caught up on today's news! Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back Tuesday to fill you in on what's new. I'll be watching "Ted Lasso" until then.

— Georgi

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Email me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.