OPRF Remembers Slain Student + Park District Lifeguards Honored

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! We're glad you're here to catch up on the latest news in your villages.

First, today's weather: Rain in the morning and afternoon. High: 80, low: 67.

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

1. A 16-year-old Oak Park and River Forest High School student was shot and killed in North Lawndale last week in the 1300 block of South Millard Avenue. Dorian McGee is being remembered as a “warm and endearing” member of his community. (Wednesday Journal)

2. The Village of Oak Park is expected to receive $38.9 million through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, according to the Wednesday Journal. Top priorities seem to be economic recovery from 2020 losses, along with health education related to COVID-19 and vaccinations. More budget discussions will take place at the July 19 board meeting. (Wednesday Journal)

3. Tomorrow is the final day to renew or replace a vehicle license in Oak Park. The price increases by $20 beginning July 15, and failure to purchase a license could lead to a $78 ticket. (Village of Oak Park)

4. Park District of Oak Park lifeguard Jackson Tanner earned the Outstanding Responder Award from the aquatics training firm Ellis & Associates. He led a team of five lifeguards who performed a drill in a record-breaking minute and 35 seconds. (Oak Leaves)

5. Oak Park native Ray Kroc expanded the McDonald’s Corporation exponentially during the 1960s, but the fast food chain is getting a technology upgrade: some Chicago-area locations are using artificial intelligence in drive-thrus, according to a Tribune report. The controversial digital system is about 85 percent accurate, CEO Chris Kempczinski said. (Chicago Tribune)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest

• Virtual chair yoga with the Oak Park Public Library. (3 p.m.)
• Make a DIY plush sloth with the River Forest Public Library. (3:30 p.m.)
• Senate President Don Harmon and State Representative Camille Lily host a town hall meeting at Brooks Middle School. (6:30 p.m.)
• The library hosts a virtual conversation with Black residents of Oak Park about the Black experience today. (6:30 p.m.)
• Pilgrim Congregational Church hosts a virtual prayer service. (8 p.m.)

Oak Park-River Forest Patch Notebook

• Meet the Hemingway Foundation’s new writer in residence. (Wednesday Journal)
• Take one last chance to view the Oak Park Public Library’s Pride exhibit. (Wednesday Journal)
• It’s the birth date of Oak Park native and best-selling author Jane Hamilton. (OPRF Museum)
• Today is “New Book Tuesday” at The Book Table. (Facebook)
• Tonight is the MLB All-Star Game in Denver. Defending batting title champion Tim Anderson and pitchers Lance Lynn, Liam Hendriks and Carlos Rodon will represent the White Sox; Kris Bryant and closer Craig Kimbrel made the team for the Cubs. (MLB)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Free 30 Min Photo-shoots in Oak Park! (July 17)
• Chicago Artisan Market: Sunday, July 18 (10 a.m.- 4 p.m.) (July 18)

That's all for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update. Don't forget to share this link with friends and neighbors who'd like to read the Daily.

— Georgi Presecky

About me: Georgi is a Chicago-based reporter with seven years of experience writing for entertainment-based publications. She represented FF2 Media for five years at film festivals across the U.S., from Sundance to Austin. 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 campus newspaper, she earned honors from The Associated Collegiate Press Association and American Scholastic Press Association. She began working for Patch in 2019.