New Staff At District 200 + Oak Park Appears In 'Friends' Reunion

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest readers!

In today’s Daily, learn about administrative changes in District 200, Oak Park’s connection to the “Friends” reunion and the new way Cook County is celebrating Pride Month.

First, today’s weather: Clear throughout the day, with a high of 83 and low of 66.

Here are the top five stories in Oak Park today:

1. Two 22-year-old men have been charged in connection with a May 23 shooting at an Oak Park Airbnb. One person was injured in the incident at 642 S. Lombard Avenue. The arrested men are not from Oak Park; both were charged with aggravated use of an unlawful weapon. (Wednesday Journal)

2. Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park is at the center of the state legislature’s clean energy conversation. WBEZ reports that Harmon and some fellow Democrats do not support certain provisions of Governor Pritzker’s clean energy package, including the idea of phasing out coal-powered energy plants in Illinois over the next 15 years. The bill to reduce the state’s carbon footprint is now “in limbo” as of publication. (WBEZ)

3. Cook County is celebrating Pride Month by flying rainbow flags in front of all County buildings. This is the first year LGBTQ pride flags will be officially flown across Chicagoland government facilities, the Chicago Tribune reports. The Chicago Pride Parade has been postponed until October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Chicago Tribune)

4. Oak Park and River Forest School District 200 is making administrative changes. Associate superintendent Greg Johnson announced eight new hires at the May 27 board meeting, including new names in special education, technology and equity departments. (Wednesday Journal)

5. Elmwood Park received a $165,000 storm water management grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Village officials hope the funds will help combat flooding in the area. Elmwood Park also plans to request help from the Municipal Water Reclamation District to improve flood mitigation. (Oak Leaves)

Today in Oak Park:

• Join the Trailside Museum of History for a lesson on plants and monarch butterflies. (2 p.m.)
• Explore women’s fashions at the turn of the 20th century at Dole Center with the Daughters of the American Revolution. (3 p.m.)
• River Forest Public Library hosts “Tween Tasters” for young people to try international snacks. (4 p.m.)
• The Park District of Oak Park Committee of the Whole will meet virtually. (7:30 p.m.)
• Comedy Club Night returns to Oak Park Brewing Company. (8 p.m.)

Oak Park Patch Notebook

• Did you catch “Friends: The Reunion” on HBO Max? Oak Park native, actor and screenwriter Thomas Lennon made a brief appearance. (OPRF Museum)
• Oak-Leyden Developmental Services received a special holiday weekend surprise. (WGN)
• Oak Park’s architecture made Patch’s list of best summer road trip stops in Illinois. (Patch)
• Former Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez has sold her River Forest home for more than $1 million. (Chicago Tribune)
• Rev. Carl Morello at St. Giles Catholic Parish issued a reminder over the weekend that masks are still required in church. (St. Giles)

That's the news for today in Oak Park in River Forest. See you tomorrow for more Daily news.

-Georgi

About me: I am a lifelong Illinois resident and Lewis University graduate; a former film critic and long-suffering White Sox fan.