🌱 Petition Follows Madison Street Shooting + Oak Park Author Visit

It's Thursday, Oak Park and River Forest. In today's daily digest:

• Mayor Brandon Johnson is replaced on the Cook County Board.
• A jewelry thief targets an Oak Park home.
• Thursday Night Out, a streetscape open house and more upcoming events.

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Now, today's weather: Partial sunshine. High: 86 Low: 62.

Here are the top 4 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Democratic officials, led by Sen. Don Harmon, gathered in Oak Park this week to fill Brandon Johnson’s seat on the Cook County Board. Chicago Teachers Union leader Tara Stamps was unanimously selected to represent the 1st District, including Oak Park, Forest Park and Austin. Johnson vacated the role before he was sworn in as Chicago’s mayor. (Paid source: Tribune)

2. More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition calling on Oak Park leaders to address unsafe funeral processions through the village, the Wednesday Journal reports. Last week four people were shot during a procession down Madison Street. Petition creator Kathleen O’Malley told the Journal, “I’ve really had enough.” (Wednesday Journal)

3. The Village of Oak Park is planning to implement streetscape improvements on Oak Park Avenue in 2025. Community members can provide input on the project at an open house set for Tuesday at the Township Senior Center. (VOP)

4. Oak Park native Mark Guarino will visit OPRF Museum this weekend to discuss his book, “Country and Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival.” The free event will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. (Museum)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Join the Bookworms’ literature discussion at the Cheney Mansion Solarium. (10:30 a.m.)
• Thursday Night Out is held downtown Oak Park. (5 p.m.)
• Lake Theatre hosts a special event: “Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies.” (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A jewelry burglar targeted a home Monday in the 1100 block of South Clinton Avenue. An Oak Park police report shows the door was unlocked. (OPPD)
• OPRF High School District 200 officials interviewed six candidates Wednesday to fill a vacancy on the board of education. (Wednesday Journal)
• More than 20 Narcan kits have been installed on Chicago’s West Side. Oak Park also installed several life-saving opioid overdose prevention kits earlier this summer. (AWN)
• The Economy Shop is closed for the summer. Donations resume Aug. 15. (TES)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Featured events:

• An Afternoon of Blues with Pierre Lacocque and Mississippi Heat (June 25)
• BBQ from Hogsalt Hospitaliy's Green Street Smoked Meats is coming, order by Tuesday! (June 28)
• Nationally ranked Jewish Nosh Spot Manny's Deli headed to you! Order by Wednesday. (June 29)
• Taco Shop brings a taco fiesta home! Don’t skip the fajitas or burritos either! Order by Tuesday. (June 29)
• Get Sandwiches, Charcuterie, + More from Tempesta Market. Order by Thursday. (July 1)
• Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Café bringing brunch and sweets right to you! Order by Friday. (July 2)
• Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th (July 4)
• Add your event

You're all caught up! See you tomorrow for more local stories.

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.