🌱 Firefighter Hospitalized + Local Makes Illinois Hall Of Fame

Happy Monday! Let's get to today's Oak Park-River Forest Daily.

First, today's weather: Sunny and breezy. High: 42 Low: 27.

Rent this space!

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Oak Park-River Forest? We want to start showcasing trusted businesses who can solve problems for our amazing local readers. Click here to learn how it works.

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

1. A Cicero firefighter is in the hospital after a floor collapsed in a house fire Friday morning. Patrick Phillips fell from the first floor into the basement and suffered first- and second-degree burns to his neck, back and chest. (ABC)

2. A Forest Park driver was charged this week for striking and killing a pedestrian at Harlem Avenue and the I-290. Delia Goldrick faces two counts of DUI for the November crash. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

3. Oak Park’s own Harriet Hawkins was inducted into the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame this month. She was honored by the state for her four decades working as a nurse. Hawkins has lived in Oak Park since 1987 and has volunteered at Housing Forward since the mid-1990s. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

4. Federal investigators are continuing their probe into Loretto Hospital’s vaccine practices. The Sun-Times reports that more than 200 shots were administered in February at Loretto Chief Executive George Miller’s church in Oak Forest, when they were meant for the City’s West Side residents. (Paid source: Sun-Times)

5. A special cinematic event is planned for Oak Park native Betty White’s 100th birthday. "Betty White: 100 Years Young - A Birthday Celebration” will screen in 900 movie theaters nationwide on Jan. 17, celebrating the life and career of the iconic comic actress. (Variety)

Today's Oak Park-River Forest Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Non-resident registration opens for the River Forest Park District’s winter events. (8:30 a.m.)
• The Nineteenth Century Club hosts “Merry Measures, a Celebration of Festive Feasting.” (1:15 p.m.)
• Attend an “It’s A Wonderful Life” viewing party with themed drinks at FitzGeralds. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Oak Park Fire Department held a swearing-in ceremony for new Fire Chief Ronald Kobyleski. (Instagram)
• Oak Park and River Forest High School softball coach Mel Kolbusz has retired after 35 years with the school. (Wednesday Journal)
• The Trinity High School choir appeared 31 years ago this month in the beloved Christmas classic “Home Alone.” (THS)
• Oak Park Public Library doubled the number of available WiFi hotspots and computers for cardholders to check out thanks to a donation from the T. Kendall Hunt Family Foundation. (Facebook)
• Staff members at The Book Table announced their picks for the best books of 2021. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Focus Point Training — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Spoken Word Burlesque Spectacular - Highlights Childhood Sexual Abuse + All-Male Survivor's Panel (December 21)
• Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD’s Sunniest Blooms (December 21)
• Add your event

Loving the Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Become a supporter (there are perks!)
• Get your local business featured in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at georgi.presecky@patch.com.

That's all for today, OPRF! See you tomorrow for more local news.

— Georgi Presecky

About me: Georgi is a Chicago-based reporter with seven years of experience writing for entertainment-based publications. She represented FF2 Media for five years at film festivals across the U.S., from Sundance to Austin. 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 campus newspaper, she earned honors from The Associated Collegiate Press Association and American Scholastic Press Association. She began working for Patch in 2019.