HBO Comes To Oak Park + Taste The Town + District 97 News

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! I hope you had a restful weekend.

In today’s daily, an HBO series investigates an Oak Park cold case, vaccinated Illinoisans are in line for big prizes and educational changes in the works for students statewide.

First, today’s weather: Mostly cloudy throughout the day, with a high of 72 and low of 53.

Here are the top five stories in Oak Park today:

1. A special episode of “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark” begins streaming today on HBO Max, focusing on the 1984 killing of 24-year-old Trinity High School graduate Kathy Lombardo in Oak Park. The late author Michelle McNamara was a teenager in the area when the unsolved rape and murder occurred, and the episode chronicles her return to Oak Park in 2013. (Chicago Tribune)

2. A man is facing criminal trespass and drug possession charges after what Oak Park Police are calling an “incident” at Firecakes Donuts on Maple Avenue on June 12. Other recent reported thefts include stolen cars, catalytic converters, cars and bikes. (Oak Leaves)

3. The Oak Park Beer Shop is changing ownership after six years in business. Longtime manager Jack Dengel will take over from current owner Tony Compaglia. With the exception of a liquor license transfer, Dengel says not much will change at the business, which sells more than 250 kinds of beer. (Oak Leaves)

4. Though school is out for the summer, education news abounds. District 97 is announcing staff changes for the upcoming school year, while Oak Park and River Forest High School is making plans for its full-time return to in-person learning this fall. The state of Illinois hopes to revamp state funding at public universities, plus the Chicago School Board debate continues to make headlines. (Chicago Sun-Times)

5. It’s the final day to purchase tickets for Taste the Town on June 24. Takeout 25 Oak Park is hosting the fundraising event to benefit the local nonprofit New Moms. For $85, a family of four can enjoy a pre-packaged meal with offerings from Ben’s Bar Be Cue, Butter and Brown Bistro and three additional restaurants. (Wednesday Journal)

Thanks to our sponsors for supporting local journalism! Sponsored events today in Oak Park:

• June 21: Essential Skills for STEM Learning Summer Camp
• June 21: 3-D Printing Summer Camp
• June 21: Become a ROBLOX Developer Summer Camp
• June 21: Meditation (Becoming Aware of Oneself)

Oak Park Patch Notebook

• Gov. Pritzker announced the "All In For The Win" vaccine sweepstakes offering up to $10 million in prizes to vaccinated Illinoisans. (ABC7)
• The governor also signed a new election package Thursday, moving next year's state primary from March to June. (Chicago Tribune)
• A Tinley Park driver has been sentenced to three years in jail for a 2017 crash that killed two people in Indiana, including a 23-year-old Oak Park woman. (NWI Times)
• President Joe Biden attended mass at his hometown church Saturday, despite U.S. bishops drafting a statement about potentially denying the sacrament of communion to the president because of his stance on abortion rights. (Yahoo News)

That's all for this Monday in Oak Park and River Forest. See you back in your inbox tomorrow!

-Georgi