🌱 Police Investigate Double Murder + Earth Month Fundraiser

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! Here's the news for April 13.

First, today's weather: A severe afternoon thunderstorm. High: 72 Low: 38.

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

1. Police are continuing a “very active investigation” two years after Thomas E. Johnson and Leslie Ann Jones were found killed in their Oak Park home on April 13, 2020. “This is a delicate investigation, and because of that, we need to keep information out of the public eye,” Police Commander Paul Kane told Pioneer Press. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

2. Some Austin residents are unhappy with new bike lanes along Jackson Boulevard, Block Club reports. A 10-block lane connecting Austin to Oak Park was designed to reduce traffic accidents, but drivers told Block Club it puts a strain on their commute. (Block Club)

3. More than 25 local businesses are offering special “Earth Month” products throughout April to raise funds for the local environmental nonprofit Seven Generations Ahead. Check out the full list here or look for SGA Earth Day posters around town. (SGA)

4. Oak Park Public Library is celebrating the life of Percy Julian this week in honor of his birthday on April 11. In-person displays and the online hashtag #WhoWasPercyJulian recognize the achievements of the pioneering chemist from Oak Park. (Library)

5. Making family plans for Easter this weekend? Egg hunts will be held in Keystone Park and Maple Park on Saturday. (Park District)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Visit the “Land of Wonder” exhibit at Concordia University’s Ferguson Gallery. (9 a.m.)
• Oak Park Public Library offers a virtual look at “America's greatest historic house museums.” (Noon)
• Join River Forest Public Library for an afternoon book club meeting. (1:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Friday is your last chance to get free admission to Hamill Family Play Zoo with regular Brookfield Zoo admission. (Instagram)
• Toomey & Co. is marking 40 years of business in Oak Park. (Wednesday Journal)
• Oak Park is celebrating National Community Development Week. (VOP)
• Triton College student Juan Cervantes won a Robert Kent Award for Outstanding Lobbyist at a Model Illinois Government session in Springfield. (Paid source: Elm Leaves)
• River Forest Public Works is offering free wood chips to residents. (VRF)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Focus Point Training — (Visit website)
• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (Visit Website)
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Events:

• St Haralambos Ladies Philoptochos Society Spring Bake Sale (April 13)
• Lowered Costs for 2022, Get Your Cannabis Card in 24 hours from home! (April 13)
• League of Women Voters Lake Michigan Region Climate Change Forum with Tom Skilling & Expert Panel (April 16)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (April 19)
• A Family Concert (April 30)
• Add your event

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That's all for today! See you tomorrow for another Daily.

— 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.