🌱 Oak Park Woman Killed In Chicago + Heather Mack Denied Bond

It's Friday, OPRF! In today's edition of the Daily:

• A 31-year-old woman reported to be from Oak Park was killed Wednesday in Chicago
• Heather Mack's maternal relatives "pleaded" for her to stay in jail awaiting trial
• Neighbors of Rush Oak Park are "asking for changes" on the hospital campus

But first, today's weather: A mix of snow and rain. High: 39 Low: 38.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Multiple reports say an Oak Park woman was shot and killed in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood Wednesday night. Cook County officials identified Brittany Wooten, 31, as the person who was shot in the head in the 1500 block of West Hubbard Street. The investigation is ongoing. (ABC/Wednesday Journal/Sun-Times)
2. Heather Mack will stay in jail until her trial next summer, a federal judge ruled Thursday. Attorneys for the Oak Park native argued she presents no danger to the public and requested she be released while awaiting a U.S. trial for the murder of her mother in Bali in 2014. Relatives of Mack’s mother spoke during an “emotionally charged hearing,” asking Judge Matthew Kennelly to deny the request. The Tribune reports Kennelly found “plenty of reason to believe that when Ms. Mack has conflicts with other people, she resolves them with violence.” (Paid source: Tribune)
3. Gov. J.B. Pritzker voiced support for a proposal to ban large-capacity magazines and certain assault rifles in the state of Illinois. A spokesperson for Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park told the Tribune his office has not been involved with the proposed measure so far but “expects to thoroughly review it with members of the Senate Democratic caucus.” The governor noted that Harmon “has been a champion, truly a champion of gun safety laws.” (Paid source: Tribune)
4. A group of residents who live near Rush Oak Park submitted an application to the plan commission “asking for changes to height and setback regulations” on the hospital campus. According to Oak Park Village Manager Kevin Jackson, a hearing on the matter will be held in March 2023. (VOP)
5. OPRF High School families are weighing in on the district’s “ambitious and expensive” plan to build new physical education facilities. Design plans for the nearly $100 million project were issued in November. Pending school board approval, construction could begin as soon as 2024. (Wednesday Journal)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Cookies and Cocoa with Santa at the Nineteenth Century Club. (10 a.m.)
• Make a holiday bird feeder wreath at Trailside Museum. (1 p.m.)
• Learn to create wall garland at Dole Center. (6 p.m.)
• A “Prisms of Winter” concert is held at OPRF High School. (7 p.m.)
• Attend the monthly OPALGA+ potluck. (7 p.m.)
• The Concordia University Band performs a Christmas concert in the campus chapel. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

Several holiday events are planned in Oak Park and River Forest this weekend! Patch is here to help you celebrate the season.

Saturday

• Attend "Breakfast with Santa: at Trinity High School. (THS)
• A Holiday Bazaar is held at The Sheridan and a Makers Market is planned at One Lake Brewing. (BH/OLB)
• “The Polar Express” screens for free at Lake Theatre. (CC)

Sunday

• Make ornaments with the Oak Park Art League. (OPAL)
• Have holiday tea at Pleasant Home. (PHF)
• Hear the OPRF Symphony perform at Concordia (Chamber) or “Joy to the World: A Christmas Musical Journey” at Dominican. (DU)

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Events:

• Holiday Soirèe (December 9)
• Chicago Artisan Market (Holiday Edition) — Sunday, Dec. 11 (December 11)
• Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest Presents Schumann and Sibelius (December 11)
• Raised in the Shadow of the Party (December 12)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for Friday. I hope you have a safe and restful weekend, and I'll see you here tomorrow for another quick guide to the news.

— 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.