🌱 Patch AM: What will Oak Park’s new NAMI “living room” offer residents in crisis?

Good day Oak Park! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What will Oak Park’s new NAMI “living room” offer residents in crisis?
• How looming zoning, hospital and construction decisions could reshape Oak Park in 2026
• How will Oak Park’s $645K shelter grant change homelessness this winter?

Also on today's calendar: Master Bespoke Tailor Launches Hands-On Fashion Classes at E.W.S. Fashion Academy, est. 1995 and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Some clouds, then sunshine, with a high of 45 and low of 39 degrees.
• Thursday: Afternoon rain, temps: high: 56, low: 38.
• Friday: A little morning rain, with a high of 45 and low of 37 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Oak Park provides $450k for NAMI mental health crisis program (oakpark.com) — Oak Park is putting $450,000 over three years behind a new NAMI Metro Suburban “living room” crisis center planned for Harrison Street, aiming to ease pressure on local ERs. Backed by the township’s Mental Health Board, the program will offer a home-like space where residents in crisis can de-escalate without hospitalization, addressing rising psychiatric emergencies tied to Oak Park.
   

2. Three big stories to follow in 2026 in Oak Park (oakpark.com) — Oak Park residents face a pivotal 2026 as the village advances major zoning reforms, prepares for disruptive streetscape and infrastructure work on Oak Park and Chicago avenues, and watches the uncertain future of West Suburban Hospital. Village leaders are weighing equity-focused housing changes, honoring Percy Julian with new Chicago Avenue designs, and planning for both best- and worst-case scenarios at the century‑old safety‑net hospital.
   

3. Oak Park grants $645k to Housing Forward for 2026 emergency shelter operations (oakpark.com) — Oak Park has committed more than $645,000 to keep Housing Forward’s new overnight homeless shelter on Humphrey Avenue operating through 2026, after the group missed out on state funding. Village officials say the shelter, opened in October with earlier village and county support, has already helped move people off the streets near Scoville Park and into beds as winter arrives.
   

4. 2026 Olympic speed skating team set as Pettit Center trials conclude (jsonline.com) — Oak Park speed skater Emery Lehman has secured a spot on Team USA for his fourth Olympics, giving local fans someone close to home to cheer for in Milan Cortina. He’ll join 12 other long-track skaters, including several first-time Olympians, after a dramatic set of trials at the Pettit Center.
   

5. 'A decision I needed to make': Cook County Board candidate suspends campaign to fight indictment (suntimes.com) — An Oak Park village trustee is among six people facing federal charges tied to protests against an immigration operation, a case their lawyers criticize as targeting political speech. One co-defendant, Cook County Board candidate Cat Sharp, has now suspended her campaign to focus on her legal defense, highlighting the personal and financial strain of fighting the indictment.
   

📸 Around Oak Park

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Oak Park

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday January 9

• Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles
  Arts Center, 200 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday January 10

• Master Bespoke Tailor Launches Hands-On Fashion Classes at E.W.S. Fashion Academy, est. 1995
  137 N Oak Park Ave , Oak Park
  9:00 am
• A Vision Board Workshop For Empowered Parents and Caregivers
  Forest Park Public Library , 7555 Jackson Blvd , Forest Park
  10:00 am

Monday January 12

• Threading Community
  The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association , 178 Forest Ave , Oak Park
  1:15 pm

Wednesday January 14

• Story Time at the Conservatory
  Oak Park Conservatory , 615 Garfield St , Oak Park
  10:00 am

Friday January 16

• Jazz Prayer - Where Jazz Meets Spirit
  Good Shepherd Lutheran Church , 611 Randolph St , Oak Park
  7:10 pm
• Dinner + a Show with Comedian Adam Burke
  Salerno's Pizza & Pasta of Oak Park , 7128 Roosevelt Rd , Oak Park
  8:00 pm

Saturday January 17

• Dixon's Violin LIVE!
  Belle's Lounge by Valentine Distilling Co. , 161 Vester Ave , Ferndale
  4:00 pm
• Zach Porlier @ Scratch on Lake
  Scratch On Lake , 733 Lake St , Oak Park
  7:00 pm
• Abstract Mystical Forest Sip and Paint 🎨
  Toast To Paint , 7185 W Bloomingdale Ave , Chicago
  7:00 pm

Sunday January 18

• Rembrandt Chamber Musicians: Philippe Quint plays Chausson
  Chicago Temple Building , 77 W Washington St , Chicago
  3:00 pm

📣 Oak Park Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday January 7

• Creative Studio Media Stations Reservation
  Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
  10:00 am
• Travel Sketching
  Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
  10:00 am
• Detection by Daylight
  Oak Park Public Library , 845 Gunderson Ave. , Oak Park
  1:00 pm
• Audio Booth Reservation
  Oak Park Public Library , 834 Lake St. , Oak Park
  2:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Oak Park PatchAM possible:

• Oak Park Conservatory — (708) 725-2400
  Discover Oak Park’s Hidden Gem – A living world of beauty
• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (630) 248-1976
  Moving doesn’t have to be overwhelming…
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Doug Lalli - Pianist/Composer/Teacher — (708) 228-7150
  Call 708-228-7150 to arrange for your first FREE lesson!
• Doug Lalli - Jazz Musician, Composer and Teacher — (708) 228-7150
  Call 708-228-7150 to arrange for your first FREE lesson!
• Art Studio 928 - Oak Park, IL — (312) 371-9526
  From Team Off-Sites to Parties – Host It at Studio 928!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Illinois Lawmakers Champion Energy Affordability & Clean Energy —Carina Daniels Read on Patch

• Jones a two-year-old black male cat, escaped from his home approximately an hour ago in the south Oak Park region near Berwyn.
  His distinctive black collar is adorned with bold lightning bolt designs and a melodic bell. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of… (Nextdoor Southtown Oak Park)

• Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for Assistant Manager in Training (01189) - $14.50/hour + Tips - 13735 W 9 Mile Road in Oak Park. Apply here.
• Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Oak Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oak Park here.

Ok Oak Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I nailed it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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