🌱 Oak Park Fire Department Blood Drive + Fake Letters From Governor

Good morning! We’re back in your inbox with the most important things happening today in Oak Park.

First, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Sunny during the morning, clear in the afternoon and evening, High: 60 Low: 42.
• Wednesday: Sunny in the morning, clear for the afternoon and evening, High: 58 Low: 46.
• Thursday: Partly cloudy in the morning, cloudy in the afternoon, clear overnight. High: 57 Low: 52.

Oak Park-River Forest in the news:

1. A blood drive will take place during the Oak Park Fire Department Open House on Oct. 14 to support local community blood centers. The event is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the main fire station located at 100 N. Euclid Avenue. Blood donations are crucial as someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets every two seconds, and one donation can save multiple lives. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are encouraged and can be scheduled here. More details about the Fire Department Open House are available at www.oak-park.us/openhouse2023. (Oak Park Fire Department via Facebook)
2. Down the road, Riverside police are searching for an individual distributing fake letters instructing residents to vacate their homes, claiming to be from Governor J.B. Pritzker. The letters state that the government is taking over properties under the 2023 Homeless Housing Directive to house immigrant or refugee families. Riverside police have warned residents that these letters are false, advising them not to share personal information and to report any similar incidents. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Riverside police at 708-447-9191. (Fox 32 Chicago)
3. A Cook County judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the Winnetka Park District regarding a controversial property exchange agreement along the lakefront. The suit, filed by a resident in 2022, alleged violations of the Illinois Park District Code and the public trust doctrine. The judge ruled that the district’s land appraisals were fair, and while some claims were dismissed with prejudice, the plaintiff has the option to refile one count related to the exchange of public-trust land. (therecordnorthshore.org)

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Here’s what your neighbors and local leaders are talking about.

• Brookfield Zoo: “Malaya is spending the day doing what she loves most: relaxing along Big Cat Walkway! ☀️ #DYK that snow leopards are the only large cat of the Panthera species that cannot roar?” (Instagram)
• Trinity High School: “Chilly day for the Senior Class Car Wash, but it didn’t stop the Blazers! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to support Trinity’s #ClassOf2024!” (Facebook)
• Oak Park River Forest Museum: “We’re a week away from the annual “Tale of the Tombstones” walking tour of Forest Home Cemetery on Sunday, Oct. 15, with tours leaving between 12-1:30 pm. (Instagram)

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Now you’re in the loop for today. See you soon!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners..

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest, IL Patch newsletter? Contact me at [email protected]