🌱 Health Director Talks Monkeypox + SIU Features River Forest Mayor

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's start this August with some quick local news stories.

First, today's weather: Breezy; a morning t-storm. High: 86 Low: 68.

Shoutout to the awesome local business that keeps this newsletter running:

Are you a parent in Oak Park looking for summer activities for your child? Magical Minds Studio hosts a series of week-long summer art camps for children from PreK through Middle School, from June 13 to August 19th. Programs include puppet making, Legos, ceramics, clay, painting, photography and Outdoor Adventure for middle schoolers. Enroll by May 15 with the code PATCH2022 and receive a 10% discount. To learn more and to see this summer’s schedule visit Magical Minds Studio today.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Oak Park-River Forest:

1. About 90 percent of Oak Park’s population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the village health department announced this week. Second boosters are expected to be available in the fall for vaccinated people younger than 50, according to NPR. (VOP)

2. Oak Park Public Health Director Theresa Chapple-McGruder said monkeypox “really should not be a concern for the community at this time.” The village’s first presumptive case was reported earlier this week. “We’ve made it almost to August before having our first case, so that is pretty much indicative of how it’s not spreading as easily as COVID,” she told Wednesday Journal. (Wednesday Journal)

3. River Forest Village President Cathy Adduci will be the featured speaker tomorrow on Southern Illinois University’s “Meet the Mayor” series. The free virtual event is open to the public. (SIU)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• The River Forest Park District Fall Fun Guide goes live online today. Resident registration opens Aug. 8. (8:30 a.m.)
• It’s the final week to donate to the school supply drive, online through Amazon or in person at Oak Park Township offices. (9 a.m.)
• Join River Forest Public Library for “Messy Art Day.” (2 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Austin Weekly News reports some residents are concerned the City of Chicago’s plan to improve transit areas will lead to higher rents and displacement. (AWN)
• Both the Oak Park Village Board and Oak Park Public Library board have meetings tonight. (OPPL)
• Beginning today, LRS refuse collectors will add blank address labels and new sticker decals to refuse carts. (VOP)

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:

• One-of-A-Kind Meerkat Experience Coming To Oakbrook Center (August 2)
• Spirito Singers Auditions (August 4)
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That's all for Monday! See you tomorrow for another Daily.

— Georgi Presecky

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