🌱 Trustees Plan Anti-Hate Event + Car Alarm Program In Elmwood Park

It's Friday, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's Daily:

• More than a dozen package thefts are reported at Oak Park homes
• Sen. Don Harmon celebrates the completion of a long-term construction project
• Downton Oak Park will celebrate "Home for the Holidays" tomorrow

But first, today's weather: Breezy with a little snow. High: 30 Low: 25.

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

1. Elmwood Park officials say the village’s catalytic converter alarm program has been “an overwhelming success.” More than 250 residents applied for the program, designed to curb theft. Some alarms are still available through the village website with an installation fee of $20. (Paid source: Elm Leaves)

2. At least 13 package thefts have been reported to Oak Park police since the beginning of December, according to an Oak Leaves crime report. Stolen items include toys, books, electronics, wine, clothing and cleaning products. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

3. An anti-hate event will be held Dec. 21 in Scoville Park. Oak Park trustees Chibuike Enyia and Susan Buchanan are hosting “Light in All Colors,” with several faith leaders and LGBTQ+ advocates set to speak. Enyia told Wednesday Journal he thinks “every person can come into this with a different perspective. Some people need to cry to heal, some people need to laugh, and some people need to feel uplifted.” (Wednesday Journal)

4. The Jane Byrne Interchange is nearly complete after nine years of construction. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park thanked motorists who “patiently put up with nearly a decade’s worth of construction delays to get us to this point.” (Senate Democrats)

5. “Home For the Holidays” comes to Downtown Oak Park tomorrow. The afternoon event includes live music, free sleigh rides, a Hot Chocolate Walk and visits with Santa. (DTOP)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• It’s the final day to see Udita Upadhyaya’s exhibit at Dominican University. (10 a.m.)
• Oak Park Public Library hosts a Winter Fest for middle and high school students to celebrate ahead of winter break. (3:30 p.m.)
• Make ceramics at Dole Center. (6 p.m.)
• Stop by Animal Care League during its dog foster open house. (6 p.m.)
• FitzGeralds hosts a special screening of “Home Alone.” (6:30 p.m.)
• Learn “the legend of the Christmas spider” at the AGEEC. (6:30 p.m.)
• David Blamires & Friends perform at Maya del Sol. (8:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Earlier this month Oak Park trustees passed a $183.9 million budget for 2023. (VOP)
• Local woman Rebecca Koch Czurylo was featured in the Daily Herald this week for a rare winter bird sighting in her yard. (Paid source: Daily Herald)
• Oak Park fire officials are hosting a “Keep the Wreath Green” campaign to promote fire safety during the holidays. (Instagram)
• Save the date: Cheney Mansion will host a holiday open house Dec. 23. (PDOP)

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You're all caught up for this Friday! Wishing you a safe, healthy and happy weekend.

Thanks for being here.

— Georgi

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.