New Coach + Not So New Bridges + No Luck For OPRF Students

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! Welcome to the Friday edition of the Oak Park Patch Daily.

My name is Eileen O'Gorman and I'm hoping I've done right by Georgi this week. I'm a Patch breaking news reporter in Illinois. If you're interested in reading more of my writing: feel free!

In today's Daily, read about the Oak Park Regional Housing Center's request for more funds, an expired emergency COVID-19 order and just how much money Illinois' bridges need in repairs.

First, today's weather: Sun for days with a high of 91 and low of 68.

Here are the top five stories today in Oak Park:

1. The Oak Park Regional Housing Center owes the village last year's audit, but trustees will be paying the business despite the default after a May 7 meeting. The housing agency said they need additional funds to continue the successful Live In Oak Park program, but the board says this is not the first time they've asked for extensions and more money. (Oak Leaves)
2. The Oak Park River Forest High School board voted not to support a student group's request to end A through F letter grading amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. While other schools in the area have waived some grade requirements, students said Oak Park should show more leniency. (ABC 7)
3. A new report by the Federal Highway Administration lists 2,374 bridges in Illinois in "poor" condition, a number that could take thousands of dollars to fix. With President Joe Biden's new infrastructure plan stalled in the Senate, the proposed $115 trillion for bridge and highway repair will take a while to get to communities. (Patch)
4. Over a year after it was first enacted, Oak Park will let its emergency COVID-19 order expire at the end of the month. This raises questions about who will continue to be in charge of the area's vaccine and public health updates, but officials say it is still a great sign. (Oak Leaves)
5. Oak Park River Forest High School has hired a new girl's basketball coach. Carlton Rosemond will take over as head coach of the Huskies girls basketball team, beginning with the 2021-22 season. He replaces J.P. Coughlin, who resigned as head coach in March 2021 after 15 years with the program. (OPRF)

Today in Oak Park:

• Discover your new favorite Rose wine at Cheney Gardens. (7 p.m.)
• Gin tasting at Maplewood Brewery and Distillery. (7 p.m.)
• Make good food for the whole family at the Healthy Chef Challenge. (Noon)
• Claim your space at Oak Park Brewing's Queer Pop-Up. (7 p.m.)
• Opening night of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights. (7 p.m.)

Oak Park Patch Notebook

• Oak Park released a haunting #ThrowbackThursday to their Facebook page, detailing just what Austin Gardens looked like 100 years ago. (Oak Park)
• Take a look at some joyous photos during Rehm Pool's opening over the weekend. (Wednesday Journal)
• Sign up for the next round of River Forest's supper club. A socially distanced take on a community favorite. (River Forest)

You're all caught up on what's happening today in Oak Park-River Forest. Feel free to email me at eileen.ogorman@patch.com with what you'd like to see here, to share news or upcoming events, or to tell me how much you miss Georgi! Always an honor.

- Eileen

About me: I'm a graduate of Loyola University Chicago with my degree in journalism and environmental science. My favorite days consist of thrift shopping, heist movies and watering my plants.