New COVID-19 Cases In Oak Park + Plans To Restore Post Office

Happy Friday, Oak Park and River Forest! Thanks for reading the Oak Park Patch Daily, your five-minute guide to what’s happening in town.

In today’s Daily, get the latest COVID-19 vaccination numbers, a tax announcement for Oak Park property owners and potential plans to restore the historic post office on Lake Street.

First, today's weather: Mostly cloudy throughout the day, with a high of 85 and low of 68.

Here are the top five stories in Oak Park today:

1. The Oak Park Farmers’ Market opens for the season at 7 a.m. tomorrow. The weekly event returns to its regular location in the Pilgrim Congregational Church parking lot after moving in 2020. COVID-19 protocols will be in place, including face coverings and social distancing. (Oak Leaves)

2. About 47 percent of eligible residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the latest Oak Park Health Department report. More than 24,000 locals are now considered fully vaccinated. 43 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Oak Park this week, with one fatality. (Village of Oak Park)

3. A member of the Historic Preservation Commission hopes to restore the post office at 901 Lake Street. Dave Sokol believes the Art Deco building near Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple is worth preserving. A spokesperson for the United States Postal Service said an evaluation will take place to address possible improvements. (Oak Leaves)

4. Oak Park is one step closer to hiring a consultant to lead its sustainability and climate action plan, with help from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and the Environment and Energy Commission. (Wednesday Journal)

5. The Cook County Assessor’s Office will be accepting appeals of the assessed valuations of Oak Park properties until June 16. Residents interested in filing a property tax appeal should contact Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar, who said property owners “should know the Township is available to help residents redress tax inequities.” (Oak Leaves)

Today in Oak Park:

• Trailside Museum of Natural History is hosting a “Haiku Walk” along its paved trail. (9 a.m.)
• Discuss the best-selling book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” with Oak Park Public Library at a virtual read-and-reflect event. (12 p.m.)
• Sundance Film Festival hit “Dream Horse” opens at Lake Theatre. (1:55 p.m.)
• Experiment with clay at a Dole Center ceramics workshop. (6 p.m.)
• The park district presents “A Night Out In History,” an evening event with COVID-safe tours of the Historical Society, Cheney Mansion and Pleasant Home, all in one night. (7 p.m.)
• Kalamata Kitchen will stay open late for guests 21 and over as part of an annual Greek celebration. (3 p.m. - 3 a.m.)

Oak Park Patch Notebook

• Metra announced plans to restore its pre-pandemic Saturday schedule beginning Memorial Day weekend. (Chicago Tribune)
• The school board is delaying its decision on whether to make Yom Kippur a day off for Oak Park and River Forest High School students. (Wednesday Journal)
• Back in 2000, Longfellow Elementary School students created mosaics depicting the history of Oak Park. After spending 20 years in storage, the stepping stones will finally be on display at the proposed community recreation center on Madison Street. (Oak Leaves)
• Sign-ups are now open for the park district’s summer musical. (Park District of Oak Park)
• Featuring singers from Oak Park and Riverside, Lux Cantorum Chicago is being praised for “transcending borders” with its virtual choral performances. (Wednesday Journal)

You're all caught up on the latest news and events in Oak Park and River Forest! My inbox is always open at georgi.presecky@patch.com. See you back here tomorrow for the Saturday edition. Have a great weekend!

-Georgi

About me: I am a lifelong Illinois resident and Lewis University graduate with a passion for White Sox baseball, classic literature and local news.