🌱 COVID Hospitalizations Highest Since February + Tax Appeal Forum

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's Daily:

• Illinois sees its highest COVID-19 case count since August
• An Oak Park taxpayer forum will be held tonight
• Local sustainability leaders will meet this weekend to discuss environmental goals

But first, today's weather: Mostly cloudy. High: 43 Low: 38.

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Here are the top 4 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Illinois reported its highest COVID-19 numbers since August last week, according to the state health department. More than 5,700 cases were reported in a single day Nov. 30. Hospitalizations increased by 26 percent over the last week, with health care centers reporting the highest COVID-related hospitalization numbers since February. (NBC/Sun-Times)

2. In other virus news, the Oak Park Department of Public Health is hosting a vaccine clinic at Cheney Mansion today. The department’s final weekly clinic of the year is set for Dec. 13. About 83 percent of Oak Parkers have completed their primary vaccine series. (VOP)

3. A Property Tax Appeal Forum will be held for Oak Park Township taxpayers tonight at Beye Elementary School. Officials including Sen. Don Harmon, Rep. Camille Lily and more will “explain the appeal process” and take questions from residents. (EventBrite)

4. OPRF High School students will give a presentation this weekend about their recent experience at the United Nations Climate Conference. The 11th Annual PlanItGreen Leaders Forum will be held Dec. 9 at the Oak Park Public Library, featuring several additional discussions about sustainability efforts in Oak Park and River Forest. (Seven Generations Ahead)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• “Ben Is Back” screens at Lake Theatre for one day only. (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
• Basketball games are held at OPRF, Trinity and Fenwick High Schools. (5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.)
• l'Institut français d’Oak Park hosts its Winter Open House. (6 p.m.)
• Make holiday appetizers with Classroom Kitchen and the Oak Park Public Library. (6:30 p.m.)
• Fenwick High School musicians perform “A Holly Jolly Christmas Concert.” (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Real ID requirements will not be enforced until 2025 after the Department of Homeland Security extended the deadline an additional two years. (Patch)
• The Oak Park Department of Public Health is accepting applications for a Community Health Advisor. (VOP)
• A new fitness-themed public park opened in Austin over the weekend. (AustinTalks)
• Downtown Oak Park created a holiday gift guide to assist residents with shopping locally this month. (DTOP)
• Trinity High School will host a Breakfast with Santa Dec. 10. (Trinity)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In the Village — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (December 8)
• Holiday Soirèe (December 9)
• Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest Presents Schumann and Sibelius (December 11)
• Raised in the Shadow of the Party (December 12)
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For sale:

• Truck (Details)
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That's all for today! Thank you for reading the Daily.

— Georgi

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.