🌱 Housing Forward To Honor Harmon, Churches + Converter Thefts

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's daily briefing:

• A longtime River Forest activist dies at age 97.
• The Lake & Lathrop development could take at least another year.
• Several local businesses are seeking applicants for open job posts.

But first, today's weather: Cloudy and breezy. High: 51 Low: 37.

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

1. Four catalytic converters were stolen from cars in Oak Park over the weekend, according to a police department report. Two of the thefts occurred in the 1000 block of Forest Avenue. (OPPD)

2. Longtime River Forest official and philanthropist Elaine “Blondie” Kirk died April 17. She was 97. The 600 block of Keystone Avenue was named in her honor. (VRF)

3. The much-discussed Lake & Lathrop development is expected to be complete by next summer. Real estate agent Cory Robertson told Wednesday Journal he’s “never seen delays like this… We hit every branch on the delay tree.” (Wednesday Journal)

4. Housing Forward will host its "Have A Heart" Gala next weekend at The Geraghty in Chicago. The organization is set to honor Sen. Don Harmon and Oak Park Catholic parishes at the event on May 13, hosted by NBC Chicago anchor Stefan Holt. (Housing Forward)

📷 Oak Park-River Forest Photo of the Day:

Hella Brauc captures "Spring in Scoville Park." Thanks to all who share their images from around town with Patch! Click here to have your photograph featured in the Patch newsletter.

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• New art exhibit "Homesick 2023: Selected Works by Savi Valle" opens at the Maze Branch of the Oak Park Public Library. (9 a.m.)
• The Park District of Oak Park offers a webinar on how to “Ease into Social Media.” (Noon)
• The Oak Park Department of Public Health offers COVID-19 testing at Cheney Mansion. (1 p.m.)
• Buzz Cafe hosts a weekly tarot card reading. (4 p.m.)
• Oak Park Temple hosts a challah-baking class and movie screening. (6:30 p.m.)
• Drop in on a life-drawing session at Oak Park Art League. (6:30 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Consulting firm BerryDunn will continue its work with the Oak Park Police Department following a village board vote. (Wednesday Journal)
• Cook County is considering a ban on flavored nicotine products. (CBS)
• Several downtown Oak Park businesses are hiring, including Lake Theatre, Wise Cup, YogaSix, Sushi House and Anthony Peter Salon. (DTOP)
• Trinity High School students earned a collective $3 million in scholarships at the Illinois High School Senior Portfolio Exhibition 2023 competition. (THS)

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Featured businesses:

• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit website)
• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In the Village — (Visit Website)
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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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That's all for today, Oak Park and River Forest! 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.