W E D N E S D A Y
April 1, 2020 Vol. 40, No. 36 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
Just stay inside says Oak Park Officers to speak with those potentially violating order By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
The village of Oak Park announced March 27 it has in-
creased its efforts to convince people to stay inside, as the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 increases. According to the announcement, “Patrol officers are on the streets, speaking with business operators and groups that may be in violation of the state order prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people.” The village also stated in its announcement that “residents should significantly restrict outings” and “only inter-
act with family members or friends outside one’s household to provide essential assistance.” Oak Park also closed its public-use playgrounds, sports courts and playing fields March 26 in a further attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the village. The number of positive confirmed cases has reached a total of nine but is
RIGHT AT HOME
See QUARANTINE on page 12
River Forest offers relief Fees, fines postponed By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter
RUNNIG FREE: Olivia Ortiz, of Oak Park, enjoys a block-wide “fun run” on the 500 block of South Highland Avenue
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
The River Forest Village Board on March 30 provided some relief to village residents and businesses dealing with the effects of steps taken by local, state and federal officials to address the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trustees voted 5-1 to ratify two executive orders by Village President Cathy Adduci, one that suspended restrictions on hours of deliveries to businesses in the village and the other that made various operational changes, including waiver of late fees and parking fees and extending payment deadlines without penalties and adjudication dates. Deliveries to businesses were previously limited to between 7 a.m. and midnight. The changes are in effect through May 31. Trustee Tom Cargie, who had argued during the meeting that the effective date be earlier, See RELIEF on page 12
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