🌱 Dominican Marks 100 Years In River Forest + CTA Seeks New Hires

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

• Police are searching for a suspect who shot and killed two people in Austin last weekend
• A tax levy increase could be on the way in River Forest
• Free parking days begin Friday in Oak Park

But first, today's weather: Partly to mostly sunny. High: 53 Low: 38.

Check out what our local sponsor can do for you:

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

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

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

1. Police are searching for a suspect after two people were shot and killed Sunday at a party in Austin. A 15-year-old girl and 44-year-old man were shot in the 5800 block of West Augusta and later pronounced dead. A third person was injured. (CBS)

2. Former Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel said law enforcement agencies should make it “a priority” to protect LGBTQ+ establishments with special attention patrols. The retired chief made the statement in response to a deadly mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs. (Patch)

3. The CTA will give new hires a $1,000 signing bonus as part of an $8 million campaign to attain new employees. More than 700 bus drivers are needed, along with 200 train operators. (Block Club)

4. Dominican University is celebrating 100 years in River Forest with a special fall edition of its campus magazine. After years of fundraising efforts, the Sinsinawa Sisters broke ground on the campus of Rosary College in February 1920. An Oak Leaves article two years later named it “among the really beautiful academic structures of the middle west.” (DU)

5. Parking will be free Friday in downtown Oak Park. Garages at Lake and Forest and Holley Court are offering free entry. Drivers can park free in metered spaces for up to two hours. This will also be offered every Saturday through Dec. 24. (DTOP)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical drama “The Fabelmans” opens at Lake Theatre. (12:25 p.m.)
• Kettlestrings Tavern offers $5 drafts. (4 p.m.)
• The Cook County Black Chamber of Commerce hosts “Steppin’ at the Mansion” at Pleasant Home. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The River Forest Village Board approved the 2022 property tax levy at 4 percent more than last year. (Wednesday Journal)
• A Berwyn man with prior charges in Oak Park was arrested earlier this month in Elmhurst for “experimenting” with how long it would take police to respond to his distress call. Mark Samano was charged with filing a false police report. (Patch)
• U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg was at O’Hare International Airport earlier this week to celebrate the beginning of construction on a major terminal expansion. (WGN)
• Libraries in Oak Park and River Forest will close at 5 p.m. today and remain closed for Thanksgiving tomorrow. All buildings will reopen Friday. (OPPL/RFPL)
• The Park District of Oak Park is offering discounted passes for fitness classes, arts and crafts, ice skating and more. (PDOP)

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:

• Independents Day Author Showcase (November 26)
• Add your event

That's all for today, Oak Park and River Forest readers! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a brief Thanksgiving update before the Daily takes a break Friday.

I hope you have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving with family and friends. I am very thankful for you and for Patch.

All the best!

— 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.