🌱 Oak Park Violence 'Hard To Stomach' + Restaurant Relocates

Hello, neighbors. It's Thursday in Oak Park-River Forest and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in town. I'll get right to it.

First, today's weather:

Variable cloudiness. High: 81 Low: 62.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Oak Park-River Forest:

1. Oak Parkers are expressing safety concerns following two homicides in the village so far this summer. After a Chicago man was shot and killed on Lake Street earlier this week, neighbor Andy Zimmerman told Wednesday Journal: “This guy was shot 100 feet away from where we sleep. It’s hard to stomach.” (Wednesday Journal)

2. The state of Illinois is cutting taxes on school supplies in August. The Department of Revenue will reduce the tax on eligible items from 6.25 percent to 1.25 percent from Aug. 5-14. (Patch)

3. Butter and Brown Bistro is relocating to Forest Park. Owner Tiffany Brown told the Review their Oak Park location was “just too small” and they plan to open later this summer at 7321W. Madison St. (Forest Park Review)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• It’s the final day to check out the “Small Works” exhibit at the Oak Park Art League. (1 p.m.)
• Grace Episcopal Church presents its Summer Concert Series. (6:30 p.m.)
• The Park District hosts “Yappy Social Hour” for dogs and owners at Cheney Mansion. (6:30 p.m.)
• The Village of Elmwood Park screens “Finding Nemo” at Central Park. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Local band The Island of Misfit Toys will perform tonight in downtown Oak Park for Thursday Night Out. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)
• A succulent and cacti sale is set for tomorrow and Saturday at Oak Park Conservatory. (PDOP)
• Shannon Duffy is the new operations manager at River Forest Public Library. (Library)
• It’s the last day of work for OPRF High School’s special education director. Shalema Francois-Blue emailed school families last week to inform them of her resignation in pursuit of a job “outside the district.” (Wednesday Journal)

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Featured businesses:

• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In the Village — (Visit website)
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Events:

• One-of-A-Kind Meerkat Experience Coming to Oakbrook Center (August 2)
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You're all caught up! See you tomorrow for the Friday edition.

— 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.