🌱 New Wing At OPRF Could Top $100 Million + Oak Park Election Update

Welcome to the weekend, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's Daily:

• Local politicians respond to the mass shooting in Garfield Park
• COVID-19 cases drop from last week's numbers
• A local artist is honored at Oak Park Public Library

But first, today's weather: Winds gusting past 40 mph. High: 63 Low: 45.

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Here are the top 4 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Fifty-three people reported positive COVID-19 cases in Oak Park this week. The village remains in the “low” transmission category based on CDC guidelines. (VOP)

2. A new physical education wing at Oak Park and River Forest High School is projected to cost close to $100 million, the Wednesday Journal reports. School Board President Tom Cofsky called the new estimate “jaw-dropping.” The school hopes to approve plans and begin work by 2024.(Wednesday Journal)

3. Oak Park State Rep. Camille Lilly is speaking out about government assistance for victims of gun violence after 14 people were shot in Garfield Park this week. She told PBS she understands the issue firsthand - Lilly’s brother was killed in Oak Park and her “family is still struggling through that healing with no help.” (WTTW)

4. More than $35 million in campaign funds are controlled by Democrats with Oak Park connections this election, according to a Tribune report on state campaign funds. Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch both represent the area. (Paid source: Tribune)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• A Pumpkin Smash composting event is held at Roosevelt Middle School. (9 a.m.)
• Make mushroom art at Dole Center. (10 a.m.)
• Join local artist Vanley Roebuck for a reception honoring his new exhibit at Oak Park Public Library. (11:30 a.m.)
• The Fenwick Blackfriars Guild presents two comedies: “Clue” and “Riviera Revisited.” (7 p.m.)
• Joe Cantafio performs at Salerno’s. (7:30 p.m.)
• Comedian Brian Hicks takes the stage at Madison Street Theater. (8:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sidney Hurst Jr. has died at age 97. His relatives were among the first Black families to settle in both Maywood and Oak Park. (Wednesday Journal)
• Early voting continues through Monday at Oak Park Village Hall. (VOP)
• The organization Downtown Oak Park is seeking a new marketing director. (DOP)
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago was named among the city’s best workplaces, the Tribune reports. BHHS has an office in Oak Park. (Paid source: Tribune)
• A new canoe launch opened this week at Schuth’s Grove on the Desplaines River. (Review)

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That's all for today. Thanks for reading the Daily!

— 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.