Community Corner

šŸŒ± Patch AM: What does the federal courtā€™s ruling mean for Oak Park buildings?

Also, don't miss Week 2 of the "Magical Musical Moving Sale" on the Oak Park Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday August 21st Patch AM
Friday August 21st Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi there, Oak Park! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What does the federal court's ruling mean for Oak Park buildings?
  • How did OPRF leap 10 spots in state rankings?
  • What D97's new deficit could mean for Oak Park taxpayers and schools.

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!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 81 and low of 66 degrees.
  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 83, low: 63.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and beautiful, with a high of 77 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

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.
   

📸 Around Oak Park

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Oak Park

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Oak Park Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday August 21
  • Senior Postsecondary Planning Groups
    Glenbrook South High School 4000 W Lake Ave, Glenview, IL 60026
    8:00 am
  • Audio Booth Reservation
    Oak Park Public Library 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL, 60301, US
    9:00 am
  • Lockdown Drill
    Lindop SD 92 Broadview, IL 60155
    9:00 am
  • Shake, Rattle & Read at Dole
    Oak Park Public Library 255 Augusta St., Oak Park, IL, 60302, US
    10:30 am
  • Cuenta Cuentos con Kathy/Spanish Storytime With Kathy
    Oak Park Public Library 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL, 60301, US
    11:00 am
  • Lunch with Librarians
    Oak Park Public Library 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL, 60301, US
    11:30 am
  • Meet Me For Lunch at Billy Bricks Pizza!
    Oak Park - River Forest (OPRF) Chamber of Commerce Billy Bricks Pizza 128 N. Oak Park Avenue Oak Park, IL Parking may be found in the Village garage on the southwest corner of Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street, or on nearby side streets. Note that this block of Oak Park Avenue is closed to vehicle traf
    11:30 am
  • Learn Computer Basics
    Sherman Park Branch Library 5440 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609
    12:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Oak Park PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Caught Off Guards To Perform Outdoor Concert Friday At Oak Park Arms —Andy Richardson Read on Patch
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Animal Control Officer in Oak Park. Apply here.
  • Proviso Township High Schools District 209 posted a job opening for Boys Baseball - Varsity Head Coach in Forest Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oak Park here.

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!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Oak Park-River Forest