🌱 Senate Bribery + Crosswalk Repaving + Climate Plan + Fall Festivals

Welcome to the Friday edition of the Oak Park-River Forest Daily! Today's briefing includes news about:

• Bribery charges in the State Senate.
• Oak Park's new climate plan.
• Weekend festivals, rummage sales and art workshops.

But first, today's weather: Some sun, then clouds. High: 65 Low: 56.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Oak Park-River Forest! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

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

1. Federal prosecutors said State Senator Emil Jones III took bribes “to protect a politically connected red-light camera company from unfavorable legislation.” Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park requested Jones step down from his role as chair of the Senate Licensed Activities Committee. (ABC)

2. The Village of Oak Park will host a community meeting Saturday to discuss its climate action plan. Learn about “Climate Ready Oak Park” tomorrow morning at OPRF High School. (VOP)

3. Oak Park officials are planning to replace the sidewalk pavement at the intersection of Marion Street and South Boulevard this fall. The granite pavers currently in place were installed in 2011. (Wednesday Journal)

4. The Berywn Blues Festival will return to FitzGeralds tonight for its second year. More than 20 acts will perform through Sunday. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

From our sponsor, Wise Bread:

Interested in insanely high-paying cash back cards with no annual fee? A long-time credit card writer says these are some of the best deals he's seen in his years of writing for top financial websites. You can pocket a $200 bonus with these high-paying cash back credit cards. Plus, enjoy high ongoing cash back rates, no annual fee, or 0% interest for 15 months on purchases. Start racking up huge cash back rewards. Click here to learn more.

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• The Fall Mum & Bulb Sale begins at Oak Park Conservatory. (10 a.m.)
• OPRF Museum hosts an “Ask the Historians” event about the history of Brooks and Julian middle schools. (11 a.m.)
• St. Giles Parish hosts a rummage sale. (2 p.m.)
• A ribbon-cutting ceremony is held at Candycopia. (2:30 p.m.)
• Oaktoberfest begins on Marion Street and North Boulevard. (4 p.m.)
• Wine and music are offered at “Uncorked” at the Conservatory. (6 p.m.)
• River Forest Park District hosts a free family campout in Priory Park. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Hephzibah Children’s Association celebrated 125 years as an organization with an open house at its newly renovated group home. (Review)
• The Bed Bath & Beyond in Forest Park will remain open despite several locations closing across Illinois. (VFP)
• Dole Center and Trailside Museum are offering art workshops today. (PDOP/FPDCC)
• Oak Park librarians curated a list of books for the fall season. (OPPL)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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

Events:

• Havana Blue (September 24)
• Wake-up to Do-Rite Donuts on your doorstep next Saturday! Order by Friday. (October 1)
• Oak Brook Artisan Market — Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 1-2 (Village Green at Oakbrook Center) (October 1)
• The Larry Biondi Legislative Training (October 4)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• "LIVE2LEAD: Recharge" Workshop Aims to Catapult Leadership Skills to Exciting New Heights (Details)
• Add your announcement

Gigs & services:

• Personalized Italian Language Lessons (Details)
• Add your gig or service

That's all for today, OPRF! See you tomorrow for a weekend edition of the Daily.

— 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.