Pritzker Visits Oak Park + Residents Concerned About High-Rise

Good morning, Oak Park!

Welcome back to the Oak Park Patch Daily! We’re glad you’re here to stay informed on what’s new in town.

In today’s Daily, learn about Governor Pritzker’s visit to Oak Park and a high-rise construction project that's worrying some residents.

First, today's weather: Temperatures inch closer to normal with a high of 61 and low of 41 and clear skies throughout the day.

Patch Pick: Several local businesses are offering discounts to Oak Park and River Forest High School seniors “to show our appreciation after a tough school year.” Today’s deal is 10 percent off senior orders at George’s Family Restaurant when students show their high school ID. Offers continue throughout the month of May thanks to Student Council and Student Activities, including discounts at Well’s Street Popcorn and Pete’s Fresh Market. (OPRFH)

Here are the top five stories in Oak Park today:

1. Governor J.B. Pritzker and other state leaders visited West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park Monday to discuss a the recently-passed healthcare equity bill, which aims to bring quality care to under-served communities in Illinois. Steve Schering of the Pioneer Press called the choice of location “symbolic, as the medical center primarily serves the West Side of Chicago, an area long plagued by a lack of health care options.” (Oak Leaves)

2. More than 80 people are being asked to quarantine after four cases of COVID-19 were reported at Percy Julian Middle School through District 97’s mandatory testing program. District nurses and the Oak Park Department of Public Health identified 87 “close contact” individuals through contact tracing. Elementary school students returned to full-time in-person class May 3. (Wednesday Journal)

3. Some Oak Park residents are unhappy about plans for a six-story development at 7 Van Buren Street. Neighbors told Meredith Barack at CBS2 that the proposal to build a high-rise across from Columbus Park is “disruptive.” Concerns include obstructed views, congestion and parking in the neighborhood near Chicago’s city limits. The project has yet to go before the village planning commission, but Oak Park Residence Corporation President David Pope assures neighbors that the building will be “beautiful.” (CBS)

4. More than 40 new bike racks have been installed along Lake Street for summer cycling near the Lake Theatre. The move adds to Oak Park’s official status as a “Bicycle Friendly Community,” according to the League of American Bicyclists. Click here for a map of all bike parking locations. (Downtown Oak Park)

5. The Village is hiring! Qualified applicants are needed for seven open positions in various departments, including Farmer’s Market Assistant, Senior Police Records Clerk and Community Service Coordinator. (Village of Oak Park)

Today in Oak Park:

• Children and parents can hear story-time and songs in the outdoor Discovery Garden at the Oak Park Conservatory. (10 a.m. and 11 a.m.)
• Youth Design and Architecture Club: Students in grades 6-8 design their future homes in a virtual weekly class from the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. (3 p.m.)
• Young adults can learn leadership skills from human rights activist Billy Brooks at Oak Park Library’s virtual event. (5:30 p.m.)
• OPRF choral students will perform their spring set in the high school auditorium. (7 p.m.)
• Watch a live stream of Oak Park officials planning for the May 22 return of the Farmer’s Market. (7:30 p.m.)
• The monthly Anti-Racist Book Group presented in partnership with Chicago Public Library will discuss Layla F. Saad’s book “Me and White Supremacy” via Zoom. (6:30 p.m.)

Oak Park Patch Notebook

• Oak Park Library cardholders can now request a “Museum Adventure Pass” to receive discounts at area museums, zoos and other cultural venues. (Oak Park Public Library)
• It’s National Craft Beer Week! Visit Oak Park suggests celebrating at Kinslahger, One Lake Brewing, Wild Onion Tied House or Oak Park Brewing Company. (Visit Oak Park)
• Tonight is your last chance to catch “Nomadland” at the recently reopened Lake Theatre. The Best Picture winner made history at last month’s Oscars when Chloé Zhao became the second woman in Academy history to win Best Director. (I told you I used to be a film critic!) (Classic Cinemas)
• President Biden’s administration announced its hopes to address climate change by retooling the 1930s Roosevelt-era Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC has deep roots in Illinois, helping improve the Forest Preserves of Cook County during the Great Depression. Five miles of walking trails are now open with social distancing at Thatcher Woods in River Forest. (Forest Preserves of Cook County)

You're all caught up on what's happening today in Oak Park. Feel free to email me at georgi.presecky@patch.com with what you’d like to see here, to share upcoming news and events, or just to introduce yourself! See you back in your inbox bright and early tomorrow.

-Georgi

About me: I am a lifelong Illinois resident and Lewis University graduate with a passion for White Sox baseball, classic literature and local news.