🌱 Longtime Library Director Dies + Burglary At Euclid Apartment

We're halfway through the week, Oak Park and River Forest! In this Wednesday edition of the OPRF Daily:

• Metra will keep its popular $100 monthly pass
• A "vigil to end gun violence" is set for late November
• Holiday collection drives begin at Oak Park organizations

But first, today's weather: A little snow at times. High: 38 Low: 30.

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

1. More than $1,000 in electronics were stolen from an Oak Park apartment Sunday afternoon, according to a police report. A burglar used a broken windowpane to enter the residence in the 900 block of South Euclid Avenue. (OPPD)

2. Oak Park fixture Barbara Ballinger died Monday at the age of 97. She was the executive director at Oak Park Public Library for 32 years and lived in the village for more than six decades, serving the First United Church and Ernest Hemingway Foundation. The library’s annual lecture is named in her honor. Memorial service information has not yet been released. (Wednesday Journal)

3. Metra will keep its $100 monthly pass through 2023 thanks to a Nov. 11 board vote. The rail service initially proposed getting rid of the pass to generate revenue in anticipation of federal funds running out. (Landmark)

4. Ascension-St. Edmund Catholic Church will host a “Prayer Vigil to End Gun Violence” Nov. 26. “We urge legislators to understand the urgency of this issue,” parish officials wrote in the event listing. More than 20 people were shot in Chicago last weekend, according to an ABC report. Six died. (ASE)

5. Triton College’s veteran item drive continues through Friday to benefit Hines VA Hospital. “Anyone who spends their life in service and makes sacrifices for this country deserves dignity and respect,” organizer Ismael Medina told Oak Leaves. “Our goal is to provide that respect and appreciation.” (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Byline Bank begins its annual toy drive, which runs through Dec. 1. (9 a.m.)
• “My Best Friend’s Wedding” screens at Lake Theatre as part of its 25th anniversary series. (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
• It’s Open Mic Night at Oak Park Public Library. (5:30 p.m.)
• OPRF High School hosts a “Career in the Arts” Fair. (6 p.m.)
• Attend Nature Center Night at Austin Gardens. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited Rolling Meadows High School Monday to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week. (ABC)
• It’s the final day to respond to the Village of Oak Park’s National Community Survey. (VOP)
• Trinity High School is seeking nominees for Distinguished Alumnae in the categories of leadership and service. (THS)
• Real People Realty cut the ribbon in its new office at 148 Harrison St. (OPRF Chamber)
• Brookfield trustees have tentatively voted to establish a village-wide camera system. (Landmark)

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• The Chicago Tribune Names Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago the No. 1 Top Workplace for 2022 (Details)
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That's all for today! See you tomorrow for another newsletter.

— 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 Daily? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.