W E D N E S D A Y
April 8, 2020 Vol. 40, No. 37 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
Oak Park extends emergency to May 5
Village cuts parking permit fees, late fees By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
As COVID-19 continues to transform daily
life in the village, the Oak Park village board voted to extend the declaration of emergency at a virtual April 6 board meeting. The original emergency declaration was set to expire April 6; with the extension, the declaration now lasts until May 5. Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley, as well as the fire chief and police
chief, via videoconference, gave updates on their respective departments and the precautionary protocols each has established to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of public servants and citizens. According to Charley, Oak Park’s public health department has had some challenges
reporting COVID-19 test results due to patients not providing their home addresses. “Two of the 68 [COVID-19 cases in Oak Park] have PO boxes, others have no addresses listed,” Charley said. According to Charley, the two public See EXTENSION on page 13
Austin worries with COVID-19 in prisons Rep. Ford, activists and residents urge Gov. Pritzker to release inmates, establish quarantine measures By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
EASTER BUDS: First Baptist Church didn’t cancel its Easter order with Westgate Flowers. Instead members Barbara Branch and Mary Lee Eneberg toted flowers for delivery to members of the congregation. Story on page 14.
Austin resident Classie Terrell, 71, is worried. Her 50-year-old son is incarcerated at Sheridan Correctional Center and her 32-yearold great-nephew is incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center. Both, Terrell said, have complained of feeling sick within the last several months. “My great-nephew said he’s been sick with See PRISONS on page 13
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