🌱 Illinois Sees Worst COVID Surge Yet + Events Canceled

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! I hope you had a safe and healthy holiday weekend. I'm happy to be back bringing you the latest local news!

Want to support local news in Oak Park-River Forest? Become a Patch Supporter for just $5 per month and help keep the Oak Park-River Forest Daily going, plus get other exclusive perks. Click here to learn more.

First, today's weather: Snow, changing to rain late. High: 39 Low: 34.

Rent this space:

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Oak Park-River Forest? We love connecting local businesses with our amazing readers. Click here to learn more.

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

1. Illinois is seeing its biggest surge of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. More than 55,950 cases have been reported in the state since Thursday. More than 150 people have died. (Block Club)

2. In case you missed it over the holiday: 333 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Oak Park Dec. 15-21. Case rates “throughout the region are reaching all-time highs due to the omicron variant,” the Oak Park Health Department reported via social media. (VOP)

3. A clerk at Puff's Discount Cigarettes was robbed at gunpoint Dec. 23, according to River Forest police. The offender stole cash, cigars and an iPad before fleeing on Madison Street. (VRF)

4. More than 100 flights out of Chicago were canceled yesterday due to the COVID-19 surge. Airlines say labor shortages are to blame as staff members nationwide test positive for the virus amid the holiday rush. (Patch)

5. The Chicago area could see its first measurable snow today, the National Weather Service predicts. Snow is possible in the morning and early afternoon, when it will transition to rain. (Patch)

Today's Oak Park-River Forest Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Oak Park-River Forest!

From my notebook:

• The Oak Park Health Department administered more than 300 rapid tests from its mobile response van on Dec. 23. (VOP)
• New COVID-19 testing sites opened in Forest Park and Elmwood Park last week. (VRF)
• In case you missed it: indoor businesses in Cook County will require proof of vaccination beginning Jan. 3. (VRF)
• Tonight’s New “Cheers” Eve event at Cooper’s Hawk has been canceled due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. (Cooper’s Hawk)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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

Events:

• Get a medical cannabis card in 24hrs, and for 33% off, for the rest of 2021 (December 31)
• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (December 31)
• 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 news.

— Georgi Presecky