Hello Oak Park! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Free Downsizing Seminar and 10 more events.
Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Housing Forward launches $18M renovation of Write Inn (oakpark.com) — An $18.5 million renovation is transforming Oak Park's historic Write Inn on Oak Park Avenue into a modernized hub for Housing Forward's interim housing and medical respite programs. Clients are temporarily relocated to the Oak Park YMCA while the 13‑month project upgrades rooms, accessibility, and community spaces. Funded by state, county, and village support plus private donations, the rebranded Oak Inn will expand stable housing options steps from key local services.
2. Despite petition, Oak Park and River Forest High School renews school bus exemption (chicagotribune.com) — Families in Oak Park and River Forest should know that OPRF High School will continue relying on CTA and Pace instead of adding dedicated school buses, after the District 200 board renewed its mass transit exemption. Despite a petition with over 430 signatures citing chronic bus delays and "ghost buses," officials said adding 40–60 buses would cost up to $6 million. The board now plans to study how students get to school and press transit agencies for better service.
3. Oscar Mayer Wienermobile visits Oak Park and River Forest (oakpark.com) — Oak Park residents just got a close-up look at the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, which parked outside local Jewel-Osco stores this week and drew plenty of photo-takers and kids. Drivers handed out coupons, whistles, and stickers while sharing the vehicle's 90-year history. The rolling hot dog now heads to other Illinois towns, but locals can still track its route online.
4. Illinois State Police closed Eisenhower to investigate shooting (oakpark.com) — Overnight, Illinois State Police briefly shut all westbound lanes of I‑290 near Austin after reports of an expressway shooting, calling in Oak Park police to help close a ramp. No injuries were found, and traffic reopened around 5:50 a.m., but the investigation continues. Anyone who was in the area or has dashcam footage is urged to contact State Police Zone 1.
5. HHS Announces Up to $27.8 Million for Falls Prevention (hhs.gov) — Oak Park-based AgeOptions will receive about $1.94 million over three years as part of a federal push to expand fall-prevention programs for older adults. The funding will help bring evidence-based screening and balance-building classes to more Illinois seniors, aiming to reduce injuries, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs while supporting independent living. Local providers may see new partnerships and resources as this work scales up statewide.
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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: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
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