🌱 Lake Street Shooting Was 'Not Random' + Flat Tax Levy Possible

Good morning! In today's Oak Park- River Forest Daily, police share an update on a shooting investigation, trustees talk taxes, and a longtime educator comes out of retirement. Let's get to it.

First, today's weather: Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 81 Low: 65.

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 Aug. 19. 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 percent discount. To learn more and to see this summer’s schedule visit Magical Minds Studio today.

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

1. The Chicago man who was shot and killed on Lake Street was targeted and “known to his assailant or assailants,” according to Oak Park police. “We can say with confidence that this was not a random attack,” Interim Police Chief Shatonya Johnson said in an internet post. No arrests have been made. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

2. Oak Park trustees are pondering next year’s tax levy amid high inflation. According to the Wednesday Journal, the village could opt not to increase the annual levy thanks to a major increase in sales tax revenue during 2021. (Wednesday Journal)

3. The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is planning a series of events to share insights from its recent community needs assessment. Attendees can learn “how the power of our community will guide our future to a racially just society” at the first meeting, set for Aug. 3. (Foundation)

4. Donna Carroll will step in Aug. 1 as interim president of North Central College. She served in the role at Dominican University for more than 25 years before retiring in 2021. (Paid source: Naperville Sun)

Oak Park-River Forest Pic of the Week

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Stop by Oak Park Conservatory’s succulent and cacti sale. (10 a.m.)
• OPRF Museum hosts its monthly virtual “Ask the Historians” event. (11 a.m.)
• Beer Shop launches its partnership with Moor’s Brewing with tastings and pint specials. (4 p.m.)
• B.J. Novak’s directorial debut “Vengeance” opens at Lake Theatre. (5:10 p.m.)
• Music on the Terrace at Unity Temple. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Interim Public Works Director Rob Sproule was officially promoted to fill the position, the Village of Oak Park announced this week. (VOP)
• Concordia University was recently recognized by Colleges of Distinction for “excellence in student engagement.” (CU)
• Friends of the Children received a $1.6 million grant from Cook County’s American Rescue Plan Act funding. The organization has “multiple board members and donors with Oak Park connections,” according to the Wednesday Journal. (Wednesday Journal)
• The owners of Candycopia are making it a priority to partner with "small businesses that are female-led or minority-owned." Owners Patrick and Alycia Mason spoke with Oak Leaves this week about their store opening in June and how they hope to “increase our role in the community.” (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

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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)
• Something for everyone, The Purple Pig coming Thursday! Order by Monday. (August 4)
• James Beard Award-winning cocktails at your door from The Violet Hour! Order by Thursday. (August 6)
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That's all for this Friday, friends. See you tomorrow for more local stories.

— 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