🌱 Village Hall Closed By COVID + 'Erratic Driving' On Thatcher

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's start this Thursday with some local news.

I wanted to give a special shoutout to some of our Patch Supporters, AJ Massie, Jacqueline Anderson, Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Angela Atwater and Carole Embry. Thanks for helping make local news happen in Oak Park-River Forest! If you want to support local news in Oak Park-River Forest, click here to learn more about becoming a Patch Supporter.

First, today's weather: Clearing, windy and cooler. High: 46 Low: 29.

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

1. Oak Park Village Hall is closed until the new year, the village announced Tuesday. In-person municipal services were limited after several employees tested positive for COVID-19, among other "staffing issues during the holiday period.” (VOP)

2. Two Forest Park police officers have died in the span of two weeks. Lifelong Forest Park resident Officer Jose “Pepe” Flores died shortly after attending the funeral of Officer Nick Kozak. Both causes of death are pending coroner reports. Until this month, the department had not lost an officer in more than 10 years. (Forest Park Review)

3. The River Forest Traffic and Safety Commission made recommendations this week to limit erratic driving on village streets. A radar sign will be installed on Thatcher Avenue near the intersection with Vine Street. Other safety measures will be used on Chicago Avenue and William Street. (Wednesday Journal)

4. The park district is requesting $2 million from Oak Park's $38.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. The village board is expected to discuss the request in mid-January. (Wednesday Journal)

5. Kiwanis Club of River Forest & Oak Park is sponsoring “Light Up the Night” this Saturday. Luminary kits are on sale for $10 and can be picked up at 1043 Keystone Ave. (VRF)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Local historians take residents “Inside OPRF Museum.” (11 a.m.)
• Knit a scarf at River Forest Public Library. (3:30 p.m.)
• “Spider-Man: No Way Home” opens at Lake Theatre. (3 p.m.)
• Make cards at Forest Park Public Library. (6 p.m.)
• River Forest librarians offer title suggestions at “Book Buzz.” (7 p.m.)
• Music of the Baroque performs at Grace Lutheran Church. (8 p.m.)
• FitzGeralds hosts a concert fundraiser for employees of music venue The Golden Dagger, which closed due to fire damage. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sister Rosemary Connelly will step down after 52 years as executive director of Misericordia. (Block Club)
• Ovation Academy has sold out most of this weekend’s performances of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jr.” but has added shows on Dec. 21. (OA)
• The Allstate CTA Holiday Train will travel on the Blue Line through Saturday. (NBC)
• La Notte Ristorante Italiano is accepting reservations for its traditional Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fish. (La Notte)
• Though Oak Park already offers organic waste collection as a municipal service, composting service subscriptions are a popular gift this holiday. (Axios

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That's all for today, OPRF! Thanks again for supporting the Daily. See you tomorrow for the Friday edition!

— Georgi Presecky