🌱 River Forest Building Demolition + More Catalytic Converter Thefts

Good morning! Welcome to a new week of the Oak Park-River Forest Daily.

But first, today's weather: Mainly cloudy. High: 34 Low: 30.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Oak Park-River Forest:

1. Demolition is expected to begin this week at village-owned properties on Madison Street in River Forest. Trustees voted to tear down the structures “due to the lack of interest in the properties as currently constructed, and the deteriorating condition of the buildings.” (VRF)

2. Ten catalytic converters have been stolen from cars parked on Oak Park streets since Jan. 18, according to the Oak Park Police Department. Estimated losses range from $1,500 to $2,000. (OPPD)

3. Oak Park residents who test positive for COVID-19 using an at-home test are asked to report their cases to the local health department. For a limited time, residents who report their positive results can receive a free replacement for their at-home test. (VOP)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• River Forest Public Library hosts a crafting program for kids. (4 p.m.)
• Participate in a sound bath meditation at Oak Park Public Library. (6 p.m.)
• OPRF High School continues its College Readiness Series. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The River Forest Public Library is hosting a winter reading challenge for kids. (Library)
• Brookfield will be included in this summer’s Intelligentsia Cup bike race event. (Landmark)
• The Oak Park Conservatory is featured in a recent Travel Lens article about Cicero. (Travel Lens)

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• Oak Park Residence Corporation is Hiring (Details)
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That's all for today! See you tomorrow for another digest.

— 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.