🌱 River Forest Police To Speak On SAFE-T Act + Thefts At Target

Welcome to a new week of Oak Park-River Forest newsletters, Patch's daily digest of the latest local news. Let's get to today's headlines!

But first, today's weather: Periods of sunshine. High: 42 Low: 34.

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

1. The River Forest Police Department will host a presentation tonight about the Illinois SAFE-T Act. During the village board meeting, police will offer “clarification on what is encompassed in this bill,” which has caused “questions, uncertainty and controversy,” according to Village President Cathy Adduci. (VRF)

2. Rep. Jim Durkin will retire tomorrow after nearly a decade as GOP leader and more than 20 years in the Illinois House of Representatives. The Fenwick High School graduate reflects on his career in a new Tribune feature, telling the paper “the politics have changed” in the Republican party over the past “at least six years.” (Paid source: Tribune)

3. Two thefts have been reported this week at the Target on Lake Street, according to the Oak Park Police Department. Two offenders stole nearly $300 worth of alcohol the night of Jan. 3. Another theft occurred Jan. 5 when a man stole more than $200 worth of medicine and diapers from the shelves. (OPPD)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• The Nineteenth Century Club hosts “Our Great Lakes and Clean Water.” (1:15 p.m.)
• Learn about mixed media poetry at Dole Center. (6:30 p.m.)
• The Oak Park Public Library hosts “College Readiness Series: College Application Process” in partnership with OPRF High School and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• More than $1,000 worth of power tools were stolen from a van parked in the 600 block of North Grove Avenue last week. The burglary was reported Jan. 2. (OPPD)
• River Forest crews will collect recycled holiday trees and wreaths every Tuesday through Jan. 31. (VRF)
• An “Odd Fellows” art exhibit opens today at the main library in Oak Park. A reception for the artist David Alvarado will be held Jan. 26. (OPPL)

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That's all for today, Oak Park and River Forest! See you tomorrow for more 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 Daily? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.