🌱 High School Grieves Loss Of Longtime Staffer + Trustees Sworn In

It's Wednesday, Oak Park and River Forest! In this midweek rundown of the latest local news:

• An Oak Parker is looking to join the Cook County Board.
• The Village of River Forest will honor those who serve with an upcoming honor roll.
• Safety officials will distribute free firearm locks at an event next weekend.

But first, today's weather: Some sun, then clouds. High: 58 Low: 41.

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Here are the top 4 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. OPRF High School students and staff are grieving the loss of campus safety officer Jean “Tank” Corner, who worked at the school for almost 30 years. The Wednesday Journal reports he died of pneumonia Sunday following recovery from back surgery. “Tank has been a fixture at OPRFHS for many, many years, and we feel this tragic loss throughout our entire Huskie family,” Principal Lynda Parker said Monday. “He was the first staff person many of our student athletes saw every day as he kept watch over the entrance for before-school practices.” (Wednesday Journal)

2. Newly elected Oak Park trustees Susan Buchanan, Cory Wesley and Brian Straw were sworn in Monday night at Village Hall. Outgoing board member Jim Taglia received an award for six years of service. (Wednesday Journal)

3. Oak Park resident Marshall Hatch Jr. said he is pursuing Brandon Johnson’s vacant seat on the Cook County Board. Hatch told AWN that growing up near the Austin-Oak Park border “shaped the reason why I’m running… I think every community in the 1st District should feel like Oak Park-River Forest.” Others expressing interest in the role are Rev. Ira J. Acree, Zerlina Smith-Members and Claiborne Wade. (AWN)

4. The Village of River Forest is gathering information for its Memorial Day Honor Roll, honoring locals who have served in the armed forces. Names can be submitted for inclusion on the honor roll through May 22, presented by the Park District and Kiwanis Club. A Memorial Day ceremony and parade are set for May 29. (VRF)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Donate blood at Oak Park Public Library. (12:30 p.m.)
• Open Studio hours are held at the main library’s new creative studio. (1 p.m.)
• Mora Oak Park hosts a Sake Pairing Dinner. (6 p.m.)
• Discuss “Songs of America” with River Forest Public Library’s evening book club. (7 p.m.)
• Kinslahger Brewing and Beautiful Rind partner for a beer and cheese pairing class. (7 p.m.)

📷 Oak Park-River Forest Photo of the Day

Thanks to Karen Schneller for submitting this photo of "spring time in Oak Park!" If you'd like to share your photos to be featured in the Patch newsletter, please click here.

From my notebook:

• Health and safety officials are partnering to host a free firearm lock giveaway May 13 at Village Hall. The police and health departments will distribute locks on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 11 a.m. (VOP)
• St. Giles School has “limited” spots for preschoolers in the upcoming school year. (SCSLSG)
• Local playwright Carl Maronich’s “Better Than Meta” was selected to be featured in the Stage It 10-Minute Play Festival in Florida. (Broadway World)
• Oak Park native Cecily Strong stars in the finale of “Schmigadoon” season two, streaming today on Apple TV+. (Rotten Tomatoes)

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Featured events:

• Free Comic Book Day 2023 (May 6)
• BOUNDLESS with Chicago Sinfonietta orchestra (May 8)
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Featured announcements:

• Trinity High School's Summer Experiences (Details)
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You're all caught up! See you tomorrow for more local stories.

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.