Uncertain Future For Oak Park Parishes + Road Closures

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest readers! Welcome to a new week of the Oak Park Patch Daily, the quickest way to get caught up on what’s new in the area.

In today’s Daily, read about the future of Oak Park’s four Catholic parishes, road closures on Oak Park Avenue and improved Lake Michigan conditions just ahead of summer.

First, today’s weather: Mostly cloudy throughout the day, with a high of 86 and low of 69.

Here are the top five stories in Oak Park today:

1. Priests from all four Oak Park Catholic parishes published a joint letter over the weekend about the future of the church community. “The current model of parish life in Oak Park is not sustainable for much longer, and a new vision is especially needed,” they wrote. Teams of parishioners from Ascension, St. Giles and St. Catherine/St. Lucy will begin the "Renew My Church" process June 1. (Ascension Parish)

2. Water service installation will cause temporary closures of Oak Park Avenue this week between Washington and Madison Streets. Roadway improvements are expected to continue along the Avenue through November, including resurfacing projects, water main replacements and sewer repairs. Residents can check opaveanew.com for construction updates. (Village of Oak Park)

3. The Oak Park Village Board will meet virtually tonight at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be live-streamed on the village website. Agenda items include Illinois’ new COVID-19 guidelines and renewing contracts with the Village’s solid waste contractor and towing company. (Village of Oak Park)

4. Oak Park’s own Dominique Lalrinzuala flipped the switch Saturday to turn on Buckingham Fountain for the first time since 2019. Lalrinzuala did the honors after winning ComEd’s “Switch On Summer” contest. The famous fountain in Grant Park has been turned off for almost two years due to the pandemic. (CBS2)

5. Levels along Lake Michigan are improving, just in time for anticipated Memorial Day crowds on Chicago beaches. After record-breaking low levels and high instances of erosion, “the beaches will be more usable this year,” according to Chicago Park District officials. (Chicago Tribune)

Today in Oak Park:

• Fenwick varsity softball takes on Montini at home. (4:30 p.m.)
• The Village Board meeting will be live-streamed. (6:30 p.m.)
• A nighttime meditation course with Oak Park yoga studio “& Then There Was Well.” (9 p.m.)

Oak Park Patch Notebook

• The Illinois State Senate, led by President Don Harmon of Oak Park, wraps up its legislative session this Friday. The main issues on the table are Chicago’s school board, redistricting maps and a state budget that “does not rely on the American Rescue Plan.” (Politico)
• It’s the final week of school for seniors at Oak Park and River Forest High School. Final exams at Fenwick High School are set for the week of June 1. Both schools are planning a variety of senior activities to mark the occasion. (OPRFHS)
• The Takeout 25 program continues to make headlines in Chicagoland, with founder and Oak Park trustee Ravi Parakkat speaking to WGN Radio Sunday about its expansion. (WGN)
• The River Forest Public Library announced it will continue to require masks to protect patrons from COVID-19.

You're all caught up on the latest news in the Village. Be sure to check back here tomorrow for the newest top stories. Stay well.

-Georgi

About me: I am a lifelong Illinois resident and Lewis University graduate with a passion for White Sox baseball, classic literature and local news.