🌱 Shots Fired In Fair Oaks Alley + Election Day + Park District Fair

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's newsletter, we'll cover these stories and more:

• An Austin resident and a County Commissioner representing Oak Park is on the ballot in Chicago today.
• Experts warn severe weather could keep voters from the polls this afternoon.
• Triton College students are collecting items for people in need.

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

1. Six shell casings were found in an alley in the 600 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue, the Oak Park Police Department reports. Neighbors heard gunshots and saw three people running through the alley. No damage was reported. (OPPD)

2. It’s Election Day in Oak Park and River Forest! Officials recommend voters head to the polls as early as possible as severe weather is expected to hit the area this afternoon. (NBC)

3. Austin resident Brandon Johnson faces Paul Vallas in the Chicago mayoral run-off race today. The Cook County Commissioner represents Oak Park on the county board. (ABC)

4. The Park District of Oak Park will host a job fair tomorrow at the Community Recreation Center. Open roles include maintenance, customer care and child care. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. (PDOP)

5. Triton College’s Student Nursing Association is hosting a supply drive through April 13. Needed baby items include blankets, diapers, wipes and clothes. (Triton)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• The park district hosts a fishing field trip to the DuPage County Forest Preserves. (9:30 a.m.)
• Oak Park Public Library offers a midday meditation session. (Noon)
• A kids’ “Encanto” workshop is held at Dole Center. (1 p.m.)
• Frank Lloyd Wright Trust Curator Sarah Holian gives a lecture at River Forest Public Library. (6:30 p.m.)
• Danny Trejo talks “Tacos, Hollywood & Redemption” with Illinois libraries in a virtual event being held through both Oak Park and River Forest library platforms. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Oak Park officials are making residents aware of an electric company scam. (VOP)
• Brookfield residents expressed concerns over a recent “illegal street takeover” in the area. (Landmark)
• River Forest residents can receive vouchers for Oak Park pool passes beginning today. (Patch)
• Sugar Beet Food Co-Op has begun selling Takeout 25’s boxed water. (Wednesday Journal)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit website)
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• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Wedding Band Event at Bella Cosa Jewelers (April 15)
• A Charcuterie Happy Hour: Networking Event (April 19)
• Add your event

That's all for this Election Day! 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.