🌱 COVID Risk Rises + Cars Stolen Over Holiday + Giving Tuesday

Welcome back to the Oak Park-River Forest Daily! In today's edition:

• Sen. Don Harmon speaks out after one senator's controversial election
• A vacant bank undergoes renovation
• Local nonprofits seek support on Giving Tuesday

But first, today's weather: Cloudy, windy; a p.m. shower. High: 57 Low: 23.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Car thefts were the predominantly reported crime over the holiday weekend, according to Oak Park police. A running car with the keys inside was stolen from the 100 block of Forest Avenue on Thanksgiving Day. Several other car owners reported broken windows and stolen items. (OPPD)

2. COVID-19 risk in Cook County is back at a medium level following Thanksgiving, according to CDC guidelines. The Oak Park Department of Public Health will host a vaccine clinic today at Cheney Mansion. Its final weekly clinic will be held Dec. 6. (VOP)

3. Oak Park Senator Don Harmon said Michael Hastings will not lead the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee upon his return to the General Assembly, WBEZ reports. Hastings was re-elected this month after his wife accused him of domestic violence. “I do not expect Sen. Hastings to be wielding a committee gavel anytime soon,” Senate President Harmon said. (WBEZ)

4. The vacant bank at 5200 W. Chicago Ave. is being renovated into a “mixed-use building that houses a bank, a museum, commercial space and affordable housing,” the Wednesday Journal reports. The project is being completed by the Oak Park Regional Housing Center and other partners. (Wednesday Journal)

5. In honor of Giving Tuesday, several local charities are announcing new ways for patrons to support their nonprofit missions. Whirlwind Coffee Company is selling a special roast to benefit Housing Forward and the OPRF Museum will host a free virtual event to celebrate its donated artifacts. Beyond Hunger is giving away special prizes, with today’s donations being matched up to $25,000. (HF/OPRFM/BH)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• River Forest Park District’s Winter Fun Guide is released. (8:30 a.m.)
• Oak Park Public Library offers supported story time for children with disabilities. (4 p.m.)
• Local libraries partner for a presentation on changes to the tax law. (6 p.m.)
• Fenwick and Trinity meet for a crosstown basketball game. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Overnight parking restrictions are back in place on Oak Park and River Forest streets. Free parking downtown Oak Park will be offered every Saturday through Christmas Eve. (VRF/DTOP)
• The Rotary Club of Oak Park and River Forest will host a blood drive tomorrow at Trinity High School. (Trinity)
• Dominican University students and staff collected Thanksgiving donations to serve 90 families in need last week. (DU)
• River Forest Park District’s Youth Basketball League registration closes Dec. 2. (Park District)

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• 8th Grade Entrance Exam (December 3)
• Favorite Hymns of Fanny Crosby (Free Concert) (December 3)
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That's all for Tuesday! See you tomorrow for more local news.

— 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.