🌱 Oak Park Interim CFO + Chicago Area Libraries Receive Bomb Threats

Hi there, Oak Park-River Forest! I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Beautiful with plenty of sun. High: 70 Low: 52.

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

1. The Village of Oak Park has appointed Donna Gayden as the interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to guide them through the development of the 2024 fiscal budget as the budget season commences. Gayden, an accomplished financial leader, has a background in financial management and public service. She most recently served as the city manager and treasurer for Long Beach, N.Y., where she played a key role in restructuring the community's debt and improving its credit rating. Gayden's extensive experience in Illinois and her diverse skill set are expected to serve Oak Park well during her interim CFO tenure. (Wednesday Journal)
2. The Addison Public Library and village campuses in nearby Addison were closed on Tuesday due to a bomb threat, which was one of several reported across the Chicago area. Police responded to the threat and called in the DuPage County Bomb Squad for a search, ultimately determining that the threat was unfounded. Additionally, all three libraries in nearby Aurora were evacuated due to a similar threat targeting the city's library system, and the nearby Evanston Public Library also received a bomb threat, according to local authorities. (Elmhurst Patch)
3. Louis Battistoni, accused of strangling a woman twice and making threats to kill her in separate incidents in nearby Elmhurst in 2019 and 2020, has not yet gone to trial. Battistoni faces felony charges of aggravated battery and domestic battery, but the trial has been delayed multiple times, with his change of attorneys in 2021 possibly contributing to the delays. While awaiting trial for these charges, Battistoni was also arrested for DUI in 2021 in Morris, but the charge was later dropped. Battistoni has a history of legal troubles, including a previous prison sentence for his role in a fight that resulted in a man's death in 2005. (Elmhurst Patch)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

Thursday, September 14

• Curiosity Club: Fun With STEAM At Main Library (4:00 PM)
• Riley And The Red Hots At Encore! (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Dooley Band Concert, an annual event sponsored by the River Forest Public Library Foundation, will take place this Saturday, Sep. 16 at 2:00 p.m. on the Library Lawn. (Village of River Forest via Facebook)
• The open gym schedule at the Oak Park Community Recreation Center changes monthly, providing various opportunities for activities like basketball, pickleball, volleyball, badminton, and more. For the most up-to-date schedule, click here. (Park District of Oak Park via Facebook)
• Did you know the peace sign art outside of the Dole Branch Library is filled with hidden items? Click the link to watch a video detailing the art and hidden gems. (Oak Park Public Library via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Linly Designs Fall Open House (September 14)
• High Holiday Services 2023 (September 15)
• Home and History Tour 2023 (September 17)
• Apps, Salads, and Incredible Mains from Beatrix Are Coming! Order by Wednesday. (September 20)
• Boycott - presentation of movie and discussion afterwards (September 20)
• A Tail to Remember: Animal Care League's 50th Anniversary Gala (September 23)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you all tomorrow for your next 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.