Police Complaints + Proposed Family Housing + Perfect Date Night

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

My name is Eileen O'Gorman and I'm taking over for Georgi this entire 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 new findings from the police oversight committee, a possible six-story apartment building in Oak Park and a local hardware store that gets a big break.

First, today's weather: Mostly sunny skies today with a high of 83 and low of 64.

Here are the top five stories today in Oak Park:

1. Residents filed ten complaints on the Oak Park Police Department this year with offenses ranging from rudeness to biased policing. Of the ten, the Civilian Police Oversight Committee found that three were substantiated. The committee submitted recommendations to increase civilian oversight on Monday. (Wednesday Journal)
2. A proposal for a multi-family, mixed affordable housing building is making its way through village planning procedures, but has some residents divided. While some are excited about the proposed net-zero energy building, others think 44 units is too much. (Oak Leaves)
3. Schauer's Hardware on Madison Street was named a "2021 Hardware All Star" for Illinois. It's the only "All Star" in the state and one of only 50 such stores to receive the national recognition. Rich Schauer attributes the award to his late father and the store slogan: "Get in, Get out, Get it done." (Forest Park Review)
4. Dominican University announced it was considering the sale of its 7-acre Priory Campus just off Division Street at Harlem Avenue. The River Forest university purchased the property in 2002 from the Dominican Friars religious order. It has sat practically unused ever since. (Wednesday Journal)
5. A touching feature on two Oak Park nurses who put equity first in their practice. Reporter Michael Romain goes into detail on how the proposed Health Care and Human Services Reform Act would help staff and patients. (Wednesday Journal)

Today in Oak Park:

• Skate around and stay cool at the Park District's "Noon Skate" at the ice rink. (Noon)
• The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest is hosting the perfect date night with music in the park at the Cheney Mansion Grounds. (7 p.m.)
• Splash Day Cookout on the village green to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. (3 p.m.)
• Music at Kalamata Kitchen. (3 p.m.)

Oak Park Patch Notebook

• Beloved children's museum Wonder Works announced its grand re-opening for Friday, June 11. The local favorite for children's events and birthday parties was largely shut down due to COVID-19. (Wonder Works)
• Oak Park and River Forest High School voted to waive fees on summer school courses in an effort to help students impacted by coronavirus and online schooling catch up with their peers. (Oak Park River Forest)
• Police recorded three separate attacks on rainbow "Pride flags" during the first week of Pride month. Offenses ranged from theft to vandalism. (Wednesday Journal)
• The Oak Park Public Library is accepting applications to fill one open seat as a library trustee on the seven-member board. (Oak Park Library)

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! I'm looking forward to getting to know the community more over the next week. 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.