🌱 Red Light Cameras For River Forest + Free Arbor Day Events

Happy Friday! Thanks for reading the Oak Park River Forest Daily.

First, today's weather: Milder; breezy in the p.m. High: 65 Low: 55.

Are you a local business owner or marketer? We can help you effortlessly run effective ads that reach customers in Oak Park-River Forest. Click here to learn more.

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

1. More than 200 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Oak Park this week, according to the village health department. It is the first time since Feb. 3 the village case count has exceeded 200. (VOP)

2. The Village of River Forest will reinstall red light cameras at two Harlem Avenue intersections: North Avenue and Lake Street. The village is changing camera vendors after its previous vendor SafeSpeed was involved in a federal corruption investigation, Wednesday Journal reports. (Wednesday Journal)

3. The park district has a full schedule of free events planned today for Arbor Day, beginning at 10 a.m. with a scavenger hunt in Taylor Park. Tree-planting, crafts and “Ask an Arborist” are also on the calendar. (PDOP)

4. Oak Park Township’s Youth Interventionist Program is changing its name and expanding its services. The soon-to-be Youth Engagement Program will aim to “offer more mental health services for youth and strengthen its partnership with local educators, community leaders and park district and library directors.” (Wednesday Journal)

From our sponsor:

Today’s newsletter is brought to you in part by Ring, a Patch Brand Partner. Getting some spring cleaning tasks done? Why not refresh your home's security, too. Secure windows, doors, and more with up to $80 off on select Alarm Pro Kits. Don’t wait, offers end May 1 at 9 p.m. PST.

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Celebrate Arbor Day with the River Forest Tree Trails: On Your Block activity sheet. (Any time)
• Hit It! Fitness hosts “Kid Free Friday.” (6 p.m.)
• Check out the “Take Flight” New Plays Festival at Madison Street Theater. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Hephzibah Kids Resale Event continues through Saturday. (HCA)
• Trailside Museum will celebrate its 90th anniversary May 1. (FPDCC)
• Oak Park Public Library’s “Ramadan Around the World” exhibit will be on display through April 30. (Library)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Hortons Spring Kickoff Truckload Sale — April 30 & May 1 (April 30)
• A Family Concert (April 30)
• Hire A Pro To Tackle Mom's To-Do List (May 8)
• Add your event

That's all for Friday! See you tomorrow for another quick guide to the headlines.

— 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 Daily? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com