County Vaccine Sites Close + Village Plans Juneteenth Caravan

Hello and happy Friday, Oak Park and River Forest! Welcome back to the Oak Park Patch Daily, your guide to the top stories and events around town.

In today’s Daily, learn about the village's latest vaccination numbers, nationwide recognition for the park district and an Oak Park native making “Saturday Night Live” headlines.

First, today’s weather: Possible light rain throughout the day, with a high of 52 and low of 47.

Here are the top five stories in Oak Park today:

1. The Village of Oak Park announced it will co-sponsor an upcoming Juneteenth car caravan. Officials are still determining a route for the June 19 event, which honors the date in 1865 when enslaved people were officially freed. The date was first celebrated as an official Oak Park holiday in 2020. (Oak Leaves)

2. Illinois Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park remains at the center of the Chicago school board debate. Harmon said this week he is “confident” in the proposal to implement a hybrid board that is part-elected, part-appointed. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she needs to know more about the plan. Chicago’s mayor has had full control of the school board since 1995. (Chicago Tribune)

3. The Oak Park Department of Public Health announced 25 new cases of COVID-19 in the Village this week. More than 25,600 residents are now considered fully vaccinated - about 49 percent of the population. (Village of Oak Park)

4. Half of Cook County’s mass vaccination sites closed Thursday. The county health department is shifting its focus to “hard-to-reach residents.” The Forest Park site will remain open for walk-ins or appointments at 7630 West Roosevelt Road. (Chicago Tribune)

5. Alden Global Capital is offering Tribune Publishing reporters a buy-out. Just two days after acquiring the newspaper company for $633 million, the hedge fund offered non-union newsroom employees 12 weeks pay as part of a “voluntary separation plan.” Alden now owns Pioneer Press, which publishes Oak Park’s Oak Leaves. (Chicago Tribune)

Today in Oak Park:

• Oak Park Township hosts a twice-monthly Caregiver Support Group. (10 a.m.)
• Oak Park and River Forest Museum historians answer resident questions about local history. (11 a.m.)
• Disney’s “Cruella” opens at Lake Theatre. (12 p.m.)
• Ring Shout will perform live outdoor music at Eastgate Cafe. (5:30 p.m.)
• Compound Yellow hosts a “Side Yard Sounds” concert. (7 p.m.)

Oak Park Patch Notebook

• Village vehicle stickers must be replaced by July 15. (Village of Oak Park)
• Local food TV series “Chicago’s Best” visited La Notte Ristorante Italiano. (WGN)
• The Park District of Oak Park is a finalist for the 2021 National Gold Medal Awards in Parks and Recreation Management. (Park District of Oak Park)
• Oak Park native Cecily Strong is making entertainment industry headlines for her Jeanine Pirro impression on the season finale of “Saturday Night Live.” (Huffington Post)
• For-profit nursing homes in Illinois are calling on Senate President Harmon and the state legislature for increased funding due to the toll of the pandemic. (WBEZ)

You’re all caught up on what’s new in the area. See you back here tomorrow for a special Memorial Day weekend edition of the Daily.

-Georgi

About me: I am a lifelong Illinois resident and Lewis University graduate with a passion for White Sox baseball, classic literature and local news.