Good morning, friends! It’s Saturday in Oak Park-River Forest and I’m back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town. Because community news matters!
But first, today’s weather:
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A shower and thunderstorm. High: 75 Low: 62.
Here are the top three stories today in Oak Park-River Forest:
- Cook County has decided to end the live streaming of court proceedings on YouTube due to the abuse of the service outweighing its benefits. Live streaming was introduced in 2020 during the pandemic to provide convenience and accessibility, but it has been misused by “rogue actors” with malicious intent, disrupting court proceedings and victimizing participants. Additionally, the ability to record proceedings has raised concerns about a permanent electronic record that can negatively impact individuals accused of crimes but not convicted or whose charges have been expunged. (ABC 7)
- Landmarks Illinois Programs Manager Leila Wills will host a special presentation titled “Dr. Percy Julian: An American Story That Is Home to Oak Park” as part of Landmarks Illinois’ “Preservation Snapshots” series. The presentation, held via Zoom on Jul. 19, will delve into the life and work of Dr. Percy Julian and will feature his daughter, Faith Julian, who maintains the family’s Oak Park home. The event will also include contributions from Kathleen Spale of the Oak Park Public Library and Kendra Parzen, the advocacy manager for Landmarks Illinois. (Wednesday Journal)
- Illinois residents are receiving payments as part of a class-action settlement with Google, stemming from a lawsuit alleging violation of the state’s Biometric Privacy Act. Approximately 687,484 residents who filed valid claims will receive around $95-$96 each, a lower amount than initially expected. The lawsuit accused Google of collecting and storing biometric data without proper notice and consent, following a similar case settled with Facebook that resulted in higher payouts for residents. (NBC 5 Chicago)
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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:
Saturday, July 8
- Sand Volleyball At Rehm Park (2:00 PM)
- Authentic Flamenco Presents Yolanda Osuna At Arts Center (6:30 PM)
From my notebook:
- A fire in nearby Western Springs has rendered a house uninhabitable, but the owners, Kara and Michael Ferrell have plans for renovation. The fire occurred while the Ferrells were away, and although the house sustained significant fire and smoke damage, they are determined to eventually return. Unfortunately, their dog and bunny did not survive the fire, but the family is grateful that no one else was injured and that the entire house was not destroyed. (Western Springs Patch)
- The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office has announced an expansion of its parental leave policy, providing up to 12 fully paid weeks of leave for qualifying events such as the birth of a child, adoption, or foster care placement. The new policy, beginning on Jul. 1 applies to all employees of the office and offers flexibility in using the leave continuously or in increments. This expansion is part of the office’s efforts to enhance its appeal as an employer, along with other initiatives such as retention bonuses, cost-of-living increases, a permanent telework policy, and employee-focused activities. (The Crusader)
- The Mobile Overdose Prevention Outreach Unit, funded by the Cook County Department of Health through a federal grant, aims to save lives and provide hope to communities by distributing opioid-reversing drug Narcan and other supplies in overdose prevention kits. The program, operated by the Family Guidance Center, will focus on economically challenged areas in the south suburbs of Cook County, where a significant percentage of opioid overdose deaths have been reported. (WGN 9)
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- Saturday at Tre Sorellle by Mancini (July 8)
- Summer Wonders-Brain Benders & Forensic Science(1st-5th graders) (July 10)
- Mutt Strut Virtual 5k Run/Walk (July 14)
- Saturday at Tre Sorelle by Mancini. We have the Keys to Romance (July 15)
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Alrighty, you’re all good for today! I’ll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.
— 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.
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