🌱 COVID Concerns Following Winter Break + Potential Plastic Ban Ahead

Happy New Year, Oak Park and River Forest! In the first 2023 edition of the Daily, find out about:

• A string of New Year's Eve thefts
• Which White House official is visiting Chicago today
• Upgrades coming to Lake Theatre
• Where to recycle holiday trees and lights

But first, today's weather: A rain or snow shower; colder. High: 33 Low: 32.

This great local business sponsors the Oak Park-River Forest Daily. We love what they do, and we think you will, too:

Want to give your home a new look? Elite Decorating & Remodeling is a local full-service home improvement company, providing expert services to update and upgrade your home without breaking the bank. Got a painting project, need a new deck, or want a total home remodel? Mark and the team at Elite Decorating & Remodeling have you covered. Check out some of their work here, or email Mark at elitebymark@gmail.com

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

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

1. Four catalytic converter thefts were reported in Oak Park on New Year’s Eve, according to a Wednesday Journal crime summary report. Last week the Oak Park Police Department also filed reports of a smashed window in the Rush Hospital parking lot and several stolen packages, including a laptop valued at more than $1,900. (Wednesday Journal)

2. An Oak Park apartment building caught fire Dec. 23, displacing more than 30 tenants. Restoration of the structure at 227 South Blvd. will take about six months, according to rental agency Oak Park Apartments. (Wednesday Journal)

3. The local health department is planning a special COVID-19 testing event tomorrow to limit the spread of viral illness as students return to school from winter break, the village reports. Free tests will be offered Thursday at Lindberg Park beginning at 10 a.m. (VOP)

4. Oak Park officials are considering a ban on single-use plasticware at local restaurants, the Oak Leaves reports. An initial ordinance would require restaurant patrons to request plasticware as part of their to-go orders, rather than the current practice of automatically placing plastic utensils in to-go bags. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

5. Beer and wine could soon be served at Lake Theatre, according to its parent company’s CEO. The theater also plans to add new heated reclining seats early this year, CEO Chris Johnson told the Oak Park board. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Magical Minds Studio offers a creative camp for students on winter break. (8 a.m.)
• Duly Health and Care gives free blood pressure screenings at Oak Park Public Library. (10 a.m.)
• Head to the Morton Arboretum for its holiday light show, which ends Jan. 7. (4:30 p.m.)
• River Forest Public Library hosts its evening book club. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to visit Chicago today. A White House statement said Harris will be in town to discuss “how the President’s economic plan is rebuilding our infrastructure [and] creating good-paying jobs.” (Patch)
• Registration for River Forest youth baseball and softball is open through Feb. 1. (Park District)
• Public works crews will collect recycled holiday trees this week and next week in Oak Park. (VOP)
• Holiday lights can be recycled at River Forest Village Hall through Jan. 15. (VRF)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (Visit website)
• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Our Great Lakes and Clean Water (January 9)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago Gets its Own Website Chatbot, Elle (Details)
• Add your announcement

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— 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 Daily? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.