Hi there, Oak Park! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Week 2 of the "Magical Musical Moving Sale" and 3 more events.
Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Oak Park, Illinois, gas appliance ban legal, federal judge rules (facilitiesdive.com) — A federal judge has upheld Oak Park's 2023 ban on gas appliances in new construction, ruling it doesn't conflict with federal energy-efficiency law. The decision affirms the village's strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions, even as similar bans face mixed results nationwide. Local leaders say the ruling validates Oak Park's climate approach, though opponents may still appeal.
2. OPRF jumps 10 spots in U.S. News annual rankings (oakpark.com) — Oak Park and River Forest High School just climbed 10 spots to rank 24th in Illinois, with a strong overall U.S. News score of 96.99. The report highlights especially strong state assessment performance and a 95% graduation rate, while also noting achievement gaps between underserved students and their peers. The rankings rely on 2023-24 SAT-based data, before Illinois switched back to the ACT.
3. Balancing the budget will get harder for D97 schools (oakpark.com) — Oak Park's District 97 is projecting an operating surplus but an overall budget deficit this year, driven largely by $5 million in roof and safety projects at local schools. Reserves remain healthy for now, yet advisors warn that slower revenue growth, rising benefit costs, and future facility needs could force spending cuts or new borrowing to keep budgets balanced.
4. Illinois foster youth are getting culturally competent hair care—how one business is helping make it happen (thegrio.com) — An Oak Park nonprofit, Styles 4 Kidz, is playing a key role in helping Illinois foster families provide culturally competent hair care now required under a 2024 state law. Through workshops, salon services, and advocacy groups, the organization supports many Black and textured-hair youth in care, aiming to build self-esteem and cultural pride alongside everyday grooming.
5. New program for adults with developmental disabilities opens in Forest Park (chicagotribune.com) — A new Forest Park day program called CORE is giving adults with developmental disabilities structured support while partnering closely with Oak Park institutions, including the Conservatory, Cheney Mansion gardens, and Beyond Hunger. Founded by LifeSpeed's Tony Russo, whose early learning center began in downtown Oak Park, the program blends therapy, life-skills training, and volunteer work that directly connects participants with Oak Park's community resources.
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Ok Oak Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
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