🌱 Loretto Hospital Strike Ends + Free Oak Park Afterschool Program

Hey, friends! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Sunshine, a shower; warm. High: 87 Low: 68.

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

1. In nearby Chicago, the 11-day strike at Loretto Hospital ended on Thursday after workers reached a tentative agreement with hospital management. The hospital staff was facing a dire staffing crisis and stagnant wages. Now, Loretto workers can expect increased minimum wage rates across all job titles, comprehensive wage hikes, special recognition of years of service, and a paid holiday on Juneteenth. (Subscription: Chicago Tribune)
2. Learn more about the FREE Youth Afterschool Program at an upcoming Open House on Monday, Aug. 14th. The after school program is open to Oak Park middle and high school students and gives them giving them access to sports in the gym, games in the Esports Lounge, and more from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on school days. Click the link to learn more. (Park District of Oak Park via Facebook)
3. Following Wednesday's Powerball drawing, an Illinois man became the fifth person in the state this year to win a $1 million prize. There were nearly 20,000 winning tickets sold in Wednesday’s Powerball drawing, with the next Powerball drawing taking place tonight. The Illinois Lottery stated that the Aug. 5 winner has yet to claim their winnings. (CIProud.com)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

Saturday, August 12

• Unwind As You Upcycle: An Art Workshop For Adults At Oak Park Public Library (1:00 PM)
• All Levels Yoga At River Forest Public Library (2:00 PM)
• Ceramics Workshop For Kids At Oak Park Public Library (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Phone scams are everywhere — but did you know that 773 is the top area code for scam calls in Illinois? Visit the link for more statistics on phone scams in Illinois and across the United States. (BeenVerified)
• Do you know students looking for work experience? Encourage them to apply for the Cook County Sheriff's Office internship program, which offers internships for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Click the link to learn more. (Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official) via Facebook)
• The South Loop got its first recreational marijuana dispensary when a new business opened its doors on Thursday. The Grasshopper Club is a Black- and family-owned business, and it opened its second location on Roosevelt Road this week after opening its original Logan Square location six months ago. (Chicago Sun-Times)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit website)
• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Doug Lalli plays live jazz this Saturday at Tre Sorelle by Mancini (August 12)
• Outdoor Concert With Swing Set Marks 45 Years Of Senior Living at Oak Park Arms (August 12)
• Salsa Workshops with Desueño Dance (August 13)
• It's time to earn your graduate degree! (August 16)
• Bridal Event (August 19)
• Malnati Brain Tumor Institute Summer Rooftop Celebration (August 30)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right. See you all soon 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.