Loretto Hospital Under Investigation + New Boutique Opens

Welcome to the weekend, Oak Park and River Forest!

First, today's weather: Humid throughout the day. High: 91, low: 74.

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

1. The Archdiocese of Chicago and Oak Park Catholic churches continue to encourage vaccinations, following Pope Francis’ statement calling it “the moral choice.” St. Giles pastor Rev. Carl Morello wrote in the weekend bulletin: “Please get vaccinated and for the good of all cooperate with wearing a mask in church and other public places.” (St. Giles)

2. Loretto Hospital is under investigation for "potential misuse of charitable assets." The West Side hospital has faced a "series of scandals" in recent months, including questionable vaccine distribution practices and hospital-funded vacations for staff. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office did not provide specific details on the current investigation. (Block Club Chicago)

3. A new boutique is opening today in Oak Park's Hemingway District. Festive Collective will feature “party decor, greeting cards, gifts, art, jewelry” and select clothing at its 159 S. Oak Park Ave. location. (Wednesday Journal)

4. The Annual Oak Park River Forest Rotary Food Truck Rally will be held today at 3:30 p.m. in Keystone Park, featuring nine food trucks, a beer tent featuring local brews, and live music. (Eventbrite)

5. Oak Park resident Teddy Williams spoke to Time Magazine about the new film “Candyman,” a sequel to the 1992 film featuring Cabrini-Green. The Chicago-filmed sequel hits theaters this weekend, and prominently features Cabrini-Green row houses while computer-generating the old towers. (Time)

Today in Oak Park and River Forest

• Take a bird walk with Forest Preserves of Cook County. (8 a.m.)
• Animal Care League’s “Clear the Shelters” event runs through September. (10 a.m.)
• Smart Love Family Services host a picnic in the park. (1:15 p.m.)
• Garage Galleries returns to Forest Park. (2 p.m.)
• Mark Taylor performs at Wild Tied Onion House. (6 p.m.)

Oak Park-River Forest Patch Notebook

• A new Boys & Girls Club will open in Austin next month at 231 N. Pine Ave. (Austin Weekly News)
• Baseball coach Joe Parenti is leaving Oak Park River Forest High School after 14 seasons. (Wednesday Journal)
• Oak Park librarians are recommending finalists for the Booker Prize. (OPPL)
• Officer Anthony Cortes joined the River Forest Police Department this week. (VORF)
• Officials say pet adoptions are “badly needed” as Chicago-area shelters fill up again. (Block Club Chicago)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Events:

• Free 16 HR IL Concealed Carry Training a $200 Value Sign Up Now! (August 29)
• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions! (September 4)
• Add your event

Job listings:

• Drivers Wanted (Details)
• Add your job listing

That's the news for today in OPRF! See you tomorrow for the Sunday edition.

— Georgi Presecky

About me: Georgi is a Chicago-based reporter with seven years of experience writing for entertainment-based publications. She represented FF2 Media for five years at film festivals across the U.S., from Sundance to Austin. 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 campus newspaper, she earned honors from The Associated Collegiate Press Association and American Scholastic Press Association. She began working for Patch in 2019.