🌱 Honoring Local Veterans + Higher Parking Fees In The Works For 2023

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! Thank you for reading Patch's five-minute guide to the latest local news. A special thank you on this Veterans Day to those who have served. In today's Daily:

• Car thefts target Oak Park
• A local comedy showcase features veterans
• Fenwick swimmers head to state

But first, today's weather: Cooler; breezy in the p.m. High: 49 Low: 30.

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

1. At least seven cars have been stolen from Oak Park streets since the start of November, according to a Wednesday Journal report. Six additional attempted thefts have been reported. (Wednesday Journal)

2. Veterans and their families will be honored today at the Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park. Village President Vicki Scaman and Senate President Don Harmon will speak at the ceremony, set to begin at 11 a.m. Members of the public are welcome to attend. A Zoom link will be provided to those who cannot attend in person. (OPRF Museum)

3. The Oak Park Village Board will consider a change in downtown parking costs. Officials said a new ordinance would not only raise parking rates but also decrease the amount of time drivers can park for free from 90 minutes to 45 minutes. Trustees will further discuss the measure Nov. 21. (Wednesday Journal)

4. Redrawn maps helmed by Senator Don Harmon and House Speaker Chris Welch are being cited as the main reason for Democrats’ success in the Illinois election Tuesday, according to political pundits. Not only did Democrats secure majorities in state Congress, the Illinois Supreme Court now seats five Democrats and two Republicans, according to the Tribune. (Paid source: Tribune)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Magical Minds Studio hosts a “Magical Beginnings” introductory class. (9:30 a.m.)
• The Fenwick High School swim team heads to the IHSA state championship. (11 a.m.)
• Watch "Dune" at Oak Park Public Library. (1 p.m.)
• Children can learn about “animal heroes” working in the military at an Austin Gardens workshop. (6:30 p.m.)
• See a “Veteran's Day Comedy Cabaret” at Madison Street Theater. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Oak Park Township ballot referendum regarding voter-added amendments passed with close to 80 percent of the vote this week, NBC reports. (NBC)
• An Oak Park woman was charged with retail theft at a Darien Walmart late last week. (Patch)
• Concordia University will host its biannual Lectureship in Christianity, Humanities and Public Life next week, featuring radio host Ken Myers as the guest speaker. (CU)
• A Forest Park home was featured among the “best properties” on the market in the U.S., according to The Week magazine. (Review)
• A new exhibit at Midway International Airport honors veterans through portraits captured at Belmont Village Senior Living, which has a location in Oak Park. Many of the featured veterans are from the Chicago area. (Belmont)

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Events:

• Knights of Columbus drawing Nov. 11 $43,170 (November 11)
• Fall '22 Weekend Wonders in Elmhurst — (1st-5th graders) (November 12)
• Get your medical cannabis card, CBD or seeds all from home! (November 12)
• Add your event

That's all for today! Have a great weekend.

— 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.