🌱 $90K For Oak Park Fire Department + Property Tax Assessment Appeals

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Warm with clouds and sun. High: 83 Low: 65.

Here are the top three stories today in Oak Park-River Forest:

1. The River Forest Village Board approved over $90,000 in unexpected fire department expenses during its September meeting. The funds will cover costs for three equipment items for a new ambulance, ordered a year ago, and emergency repairs for engine 213. Fire Chief Tom Gaertner explained that manufacturers are no longer able to lock in prices due to supply chain and labor issues, leading to an 8 percent price increase on necessary items, causing frustration for departments nationwide. (Wednesday Journal)
2. River Forest Township is accepting property tax assessment appeals through The Cook County Board of Review until Oct. 17 at 11:59 p.m. Residents interested in appealing can request an appeal packet from the River Forest Township Assessor, including instructions and comparables, by signing up here. (Village of River Forest via Facebook)
3. The Cook County region is facing increased risks of flooding due to more frequent and intense rainstorms, with over 200,000 properties at major or severe risk in the next 30 years, according to data from the First Street Foundation. Pluvial flooding, caused by heavy rainfall and overwhelming drainage systems, is common in urban areas like Chicago. Local communities are exploring solutions such as rain gardens, like the one in nearby Riverdale, to manage stormwater. However, massive infrastructure overhauls are needed, requiring significant time and money. (ABC 7 Chicago)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

Wednesday, October 4

• Wednesday Morning Walk At Oak Park Library (9:00 AM)
• Language Access Listening Session At Tacos 76 (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• A nationwide emergency alert test is scheduled for today, Oct, 4, at 1:20 p.m. The test, conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will evaluate the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts on TV, radio, and cell phones. (Village of River Forest via Facebook)
• Join the Oak Park Education Foundation for the Spoken Word Club, bringing students together to explore the art of Spoken Word. The club will meet every Wednesday at the Oak Park Art League from 4:00-5:30 p.m., starting today, Oct. 4. Students from middle schools are welcome to join and no previous experience is necessary. (Oak Park Education Foundation via Facebook)
• "Banned Books Week," is an annual event celebrating free access to information. The Oak Park Library will host a live performance titled "Books on the Chopping Block" on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2:00 p.m. at the Library. (River Forest Public Library via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning 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.