🌱 Lawsuit Against Cook Co. Officials + Man Electrocuted On Green Line

Hello all. I'm back with your new edition of the Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter. Let's get this Thursday started off right, with a quick guide to the most important things happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 85 Low: 68.

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

1. A decision is expected soon in a lawsuit that alleges Cook County officials have been improperly taking hundreds of millions of dollars from transportation projects and moving it to other portions of the county’s budget. The lawsuit was filed in 2018 by the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, alleging that the county has been using around $200 million of its funds to pay for other programs. A ruling in the case is expected on Monday, though attorneys on both sides expect an appeal in the case. (NBC Chicago)
2. On Sunday, a local man was electrocuted on CTA Green Line tracks in Oak Park on his way to Lollapalooza. A man and woman, both in their 20s, were making their way to the annual music festival with a group of people, when they jumped down onto the Green Line train tracks to take a picture. The man touched the energized third rail, and several members of the group subsequently jumped onto the tracks and removed the two. The man remains in critical condition. (Wednesday Journal)
3. A study of internet speeds at Chicago Public Schools—led by an incoming University of Chicago student and Walter Payton graduate—found that only 13 percent of tests run at the schools met a federal long-term benchmark for internet speed. The study found internet access is “adequate” and “equal” across the studied schools — though not necessarily “equitable.” The analysis could set the stage for further research into equitable internet access within the district. (Block Club Chicago)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

Thursday, August 10

• Designing Mobile Apps (Grades 6-8) At Oak Park Public Library (1:30 PM)
• Cooking Workshop For Kids At Oak Park Public Library (4:00 PM)
• Meet The Artist Series: Oak Park Isabelle Gougenheim Designs At Selleria Veneta (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for a new job? Check out these two postings to make a difference in our community: Lincolnwood Parks & Recreation is now accepting applications to become a Program Attendant, and the Cook County Department of Public Health is hiring a Community Health Promoter. Click the links to learn more. (Cook County Department of Public Health via Facebook and Lincolnwood Parks & Recreation 🌳 via Instagram)
• Enjoy a crop of summer corn at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market on Saturday during the National Farmers’ Market Week celebration! The annual Corn Roast returns this Saturday, Aug. 12 with fresh-picked corn from market growers sold by the ear, hot off the roaster. (Village of Oak Park, Illinois via Facebook)
• Wenonah Park will be closed this Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. due to tree maintenance. Keep an eye out for further updates at the link. (Park District of Oak Park via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Meet the Artist Series at @selleriaveneta Oak Park Isabelle Gougenheim Designs (August 10)
• Outdoor Concert With Swing Set Marks 45 Years Of Senior Living at Oak Park Arms (August 12)
• It's time to earn your graduate degree! (August 16)
• Try award-winning Indian cuisine from Vajra on Wednesday, order by Monday! (August 16)
• Nationally ranked Jewish Nosh Spot Manny's Deli headed to you! Order by Wednesday. (August 17)
• Get gourmet Vietnamese food like you've never experienced from HaiSous. Order by Thursday. (August 18)
• Experience Chicago's Best Deep Dish: Pequod's Pizza. Order by Thursday. (August 18)
• Bridal Event (August 19)
• Malnati Brain Tumor Institute Summer Rooftop Celebration (August 30)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.