Oak Park Public Library + Police Department Prepare For July 4

Happy Friday, Oak Park and River Forest! Catch up on the latest news in your area before you log off for the holiday weekend.

First, today's weather: Mostly cloudy throughout the day, with a high of 74 and low of 59.

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

1. Oak Park Village Hall and all library branches are closed July 5 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The Maze Branch of the library officially reopens July 6. (OPPL)

2. Oak Park police are conducting a holiday weekend safety campaign through Tuesday as part of a statewide effort to reduce impaired or unbuckled driving. Police encourage designating a sober driver or using public transportation after drinking. (VOP)

3. The River Forest Village Board voted this week to extend its partnership with communications firm Vicarious Multimedia. The firm assists the village with its electronic newsletter and social media. (Wednesday Journal)

4. Oak Park resident Barbara Creed is one of many Americans for whom the COVID-19 vaccine is less effective. She received a double lung transplant last year and takes medication that suppresses her immune system, according to a Chicago Tribune feature. This population remains among the most vulnerable against COVID. (Chicago Tribune)

5. A 26-year-old man was shot and killed this week in Austin. Maurice Beals was shot Sunday evening in the 5700 block of West Ohio Street and was later pronounced dead at Loyola Hospital. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Today in Oak Park and River Forest

• Stream Oak Park filmmaker Seth McClellan’s documentary “Others Before Self” through the Gene Siskel Film Center. (Any time)
• Bring clothing to tie dye at an outdoor event at River Forest Public Library. (2:30 p.m., with additional time slots)
• The Grant Park Orchestra performs patriotic favorites in honor of July 4 at Chicago’s Millennium Park. (6:30 p.m.)
• The Harry Tonchev Trio will play traditional and contemporary jazz at Eastgate Cafe. (6 p.m.)
• BRAVO Performing Arts Academy presents "The Wizard of Oz." (7 p.m.)

Oak Park-River Forest Patch Notebook

• Oak Park resident Debbie Ryan has put in more than 150 volunteer hours helping the Oak Park Health Department with its COVID-19 response efforts. (Wednesday Journal)
• Fireworks displays are on the calendar this weekend across Illinois. (Patch)
• Stay up to date on rising river levels as rain remains prominent in the local forecast. (WGN)
• New details are emerging in the ongoing saga of Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park. (Crain's)
• Brookfield is addressing an "archaic" aspect of its municipal code regarding gender and clothing. (Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)

That's all for your Friday edition of the Daily! Have a safe and restful holiday weekend. See you back in your inbox on July 7.

— Georgi

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Email all inquiries to georgi.presecky@patch.com.