🌱 'Death Doulas' In Oak Park + Property Taxes Due + Election Updates

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

• Car thefts continued over the Christmas holidays
• Ranked-choice voting could be in Oak Park's future
• An Oak Park native will join NBC Chicago's broadcast to ring in the new year

But first, today's weather: Cloudy. High: 45 Low: 33.

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

1. Three River Forest trustees will run unopposed for re-election next year, according to a Wednesday Journal report. Five trustee candidates also filed petitions to run in Oak Park next April. (Wednesday Journal)

2. Proviso Township District 209 will host its next board meeting Jan. 10 amid swirling controversy and accusations of intimidation. A student and teacher were suspended after expressing criticism of Superintendent James Henderson, the Review reports. (Review)

3. Several cars in Oak Park were either stolen or damaged over the Christmas holidays, according to a police department summary report. A running Toyota Camry was stolen Christmas Eve in the 100 block of Forest. Other reports included a stolen wallet and a smashed car window. (OPPD)

4. The organization End of Life Chicago hosted a recent “Death Cafe” meeting at the Oak Park Public Library, featured in the Oak Leaves this week. The group’s “death doulas” work on supporting families “through the end-of-life process.” (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

5. Oak Park native Thomas Lennon will join “A Very Chicago New Year” celebration tomorrow night on NBC. The countdown to midnight begins at 11:08 p.m. and will feature the cast of “Chicago Fire” and NBC sports commentators. (NBC)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Oak Park Public Library hosts a concert for kids. (10 a.m.)
• Cheney Mansion hosts an “Eve of the Eve” wine dinner and dance. (7 p.m.)
• The Stefan Hillesheim Trio performs the blues at the Harlem Avenue Lounge. (8:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Cook County property taxes are due today. (FOX)
• A new smoke alarm law goes into effect Jan. 1 in Illinois. (NBC)
• Oak Park trustees are considering the pros and cons of ranked-choice voting in future elections. (Wednesday Journal)
• Austin Weekly News is recapping an eventful year of West Side stories. (AWN)

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• New Year's Eve Dinner with FREE Champagne and Live Music at Tre Sorelle (December 31)
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• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago Gets its Own Website Chatbot, Elle (Details)
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That's all for today! See you tomorrow for the last Daily of 2022.

— Georgi