🌱 Restaurant Changes Ownership + Tow Zone Ordinance At Berwyn Border

Happy Friday, Oak Park and River Forest. In today's edition of the Daily:

• Austin is among Chicago's neighborhoods with the most reported homicides.
• A free firearm lock giveaway will be held tomorrow in Oak Park.
• Former Gov. Pat Quinn penned a letter to Sen. Don Harmon and others on ethics reform.

But first, today's weather: Periods of rain and a t-storm. High: 71 Low: 57.

Big love to our local sponsor. We couldn’t keep the community informed without you!

Get your home ready for Spring with a fresh coat of paint! Elite Decorating & Remodeling offers expert exterior painting services to make your home look like new. Trust their experienced team to enhance your curb appeal and protect your home from the elements. Contact Mark today at 773-332-5264 and let him help you bring your home improvement dreams to life. From painting to decks to full remodels, Elite Decorating & Remodeling has got you covered!

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

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

1. According to a new Tribune report, 170 people have been killed in the city of Chicago so far this year, including 14 homicides in the Austin neighborhood. More than 90 percent of the killings were the result of gun violence. (Paid source: Tribune)

2. Local police proposed an ordinance to create a tow zone in certain areas of Oak Park which border Berwyn. Neighbors have been asking for safety measures after a fight at Berwyn bar Mike’s Place led to gun violence last summer. Other incidents include a fight breaking out in a resident’s front yard and illegal parking on Oak Park streets. Police have been stationed in the area since January. “This is something that’s necessary for the quality of life,” Police Chief Shatonya Johnson told the village board. (Wednesday Journal)

3. Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn penned a letter urging ethics reforms to state Democrats including Sen. Don Harmon of Oak Park. Quinn’s letter followed the conviction of the “ComEd” four on bribery and conspiracy charges related to former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan. (AP)

4. Kettlestrings Restaurant group will take ownership of Starship Subs as its founders Henry Laskowski and Paul McKenna retire after more than 45 years running the Forest Park sandwich shop. The group runs Kettlestrings Tavern and Grove, plus Betty’s Pizza and Pasta. (Review)

5. It’s the final day to apply for the Oak Park Area Arts Council mini-mural program. A second round of applications will be open until June 16. (OPAAC)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Walk a nature story trail at Trailside Museum of Natural History. (9 a.m.)
• A full day of Celebrating Seniors Week events is planned. (10 a.m.)
• Mimic master painters at Dole Center. (6 p.m.)
• Ken Trainor reads from his new book “Our Town Oak Park” at OPRF Museum. (6:30 p.m.)
• Oak Park and River Forest High School presents “X-Men: Mad Avenue” at the Little Theatre. (7 p.m.)
• See “Heathers: The Musical” at Madison Street Theater. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Three cars reported stolen out of Oak Park were recovered by Chicago police this week. (OPPD)
• Health and police officials will distribute free firearm locks during a giveaway event tomorrow at Oak Park Village Hall. (VOP)
• Oak Park and River Forest High School badminton doubles teams will compete in the IHSA state final this weekend. (Wednesday Journal)
• The Forest Park Arts Alliance is kicking off its 48-Hour Film Festival today. (Forest Park Arts)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit website)
• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Engineering Escapades:"Design-A-Dragster" (May 13)
• Music to Dine By with Doug Lalli at Tre Sorelle by Mancini (May 13)
• A Special Menu Just for Mother's Day at Tre Sorelle Ristorante by Mancini! (May 14)
• Add your event

That's all for today!

— 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.