🌱 Residents Robbed At Gunpoint + Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest. In this edition of Patch's daily newsletter:

• An arrest is made in connection with a fatal Oak Park hit-and-run
• The school board moves ahead with its "much-discussed" $102 million renovation plans
• More than $60 million in grants will benefit parks organizations across the state, including the Park District of Forest Park

But first, today's weather: Cloudy and colder. High: 39 Low: 34.

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

1. Two Oak Park residents were robbed at gunpoint Tuesday night in the 200 block of Washington Boulevard. They were walking home after parking their cars when police said two offenders approached them displaying handguns. The armed robbers stole their phones, wallets, car keys and vehicle. (OPPD)

2. A pedestrian was killed Saturday in a hit-and-run at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and Madison Street. According to the Wednesday Journal, Oak Park police arrested the driver later that night in the 700 block of Madison Street. (Wednesday Journal)

3. The Oak Park and River Forest High School board voted unanimously last week to approve the “scope” of its $102 million renovation project. Next steps include determining a funding source for the plans, which include construction of a new swimming pool, locker rooms, gyms and more. (Wednesday Journal)

4. The Park District of Forest Park will receive more than $400,000 in grant funding from the state, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced Wednesday. More than $60 million in Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants will be distributed to 118 organizations, including the Village of Brookfield and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. (State)

5. OPRF High School will host its 20th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser tomorrow. Proceeds from the event benefit Beyond Hunger, Housing Forward and other philanthropic organizations. (OPRFHS)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• It’s the final day to see Oak Park Art League’s “Figures & Faces” exhibit. (1 p.m.)
• Make a custom candle with local woman-owned business Einnim at Cheney Mansion in honor of the upcoming International Women’s Day. (7 p.m.)
• The League of Women Voters of Oak Park & River Forest and Oak Park Public Library host a forum with candidates running for the OPRF High School District 200 Board. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson secured 20 percent of the vote Tuesday in the race for Chicago mayor, Politico reports. The Austin resident will face Paul Vallas in a runoff April 4. (Politico)
• Forest Park police assisted units from Maywood and Bellwood in pursuing a murder suspect Feb. 23. (Review)
• The Oak Park Fire Department is looking to hire a paramedic-firefighter. (VOP)
• Resident registration is open for River Forest Park District summer camps. (Park District)
• The Oak Park River Forest Museum will host its annual gala March 9. (Museum)

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You're all caught up! See you tomorrow for another guide to the top 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.