🌱 Oak Park Schools Earn State Blue Ribbon Recognition

15 March 2026

Greetings Oak Park! Your go-to source for what’s happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️

In today’s newsletter:See which two Oak Park schools just earned state Blue Ribbon honorsThinking about an Easter bunny? See Oak Park shelter’s advice first.How an 1880s Oak Park home got its porch back—and an awardAlso on today’s calendar:Chicago Artisan Market in Fulton Market – Sun, Mar 8th (Spring Forward)and 10 more events.Today’s riddle:What is a snake’s favorite subject? 🤔 (Answer below!)Weather forecast:Saturday:An a.m. shower; cloudy, windy, with a high of 65 and low of 37 degrees.Sunday:Mostly sunny, breezy and warm, temps: high: 64, low: 48.Monday:Sunny, breezy and warmer, with a high of 72 and low of 50 degrees.📰

News we’re reading1. 28 Illinois schools receive state Blue Ribbon Schools award— Two Oak Park Catholic schools, Ascension and St. Giles, have been named among the first winners of Illinois’ new Governor’s Blue Ribbon School Award, recognizing strong academic performance. They’re part of 28 public and private schools honored at a Springfield ceremony, created after the federal Blue Ribbon program was discontinued.

Rabbit rescues spike after Easter, and Oak Park shelter works to find them new homes— Oak Park’s Animal Care League is bracing for a post-Easter spike in abandoned rabbits and is urging local families to think carefully before gifting bunnies. Staff describe how they match rabbits with adopters, provide education, and serve as the stray holding facility for Oak Park and nearby villages, while expanding medical care and support services for small animals.
A century later, a wraparound porch returns— A historic Superior Street home in Oak Park just regained its wraparound porch, thanks to research at the Historical Society and close work with the village’s Historic Preservation Commission. Local architect and contractors navigated tricky 140-year-old construction issues, used historically sensitive materials, and earned a village Historic Preservation Award with perfect scores.
Libraries on Union Pacific West Line unite for ‘Next Stop: The Library’ transit campaign— Riders passing through Oak Park on Metra’s UP-West line will start seeing new “Next Stop: The Library” ads created with design work from Oak Park Public Library. The campaign, running through early 2027, highlights Oak Park and neighboring libraries as easy next stops for learning, programs, and community connection. Expect evolving messages as librarians track how commuters respond.
Funeral for Rev. Jesse Jackson draws former presidents, throngs of Chicagoans to send off civil rights icon— An Oak Park mother, Kamila Whitman, was among those who brought their children to Chicago’s massive farewell service for civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, hoping they’d remember witnessing history. The hours-long ceremony drew former presidents, national political figures, and local leaders who highlighted Jackson’s decades of activism and calls to “keep hope alive.”

📸 Around Oak ParkShow off your photography skills and the sights around town!Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to MathHotels.comAM!

🗓Upcoming Events in Oak ParkAdd your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★Featured events★Sunday March 8Chicago Artisan Market in Fulton Market – Sun, Mar 8th (Spring Forward)401 N Morgan St, Chicago11:00 amBellissima’s IWD Tribute showcasing women in the vocal arts611 Randolph St, Oak Park7:00 pmTuesday March 10FREE WEBINAR | “The Top 10 Last Suppers of the Italian Renaissance”11:30 amFriday March 13Rembrandt Chamber Musicians: The Trout with Henry Kramer77 W Washington St, Chicago7:00 pmWednesday March 18Level Up: Practical Certificates for Career Growth12:00 pmWant to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local eventsSaturday March 7Toucans Sip and Paint7185 W Bloomingdale Ave, Chicago7:00 pmMonday March 9Power Generation for a Reliable Energy Future178 Forest Ave, Oak Park1:15 pmThursday March 12OPRF Museum Gala to honor two power couples178 Forest Ave, Oak Park6:30 pmSaturday March 14Spring Bunny STEM Adventures!1117 Garfield St, Oak Park10:00 amSTEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy of Oak Park1117 Garfield St, Oak Park10:00 amWednesday March 18Free Webinar: The Cost of Silence12:00 pmSpring Open House11 Harrison St, Oak Park6:00 pmFriday March 20Jazz Prayer – Where Jazz Meets Spirit611 Randolph St, Oak Park7:10 pm

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It’s free!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 MathHotels.comAM possible:Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village— (630) 248-1976Moving doesn’t have to be overwhelming…Art Studio 928 – Oak Park, IL— (312) 371-9526Boutique Event Space for Creative Gatherings|Art ExperiencesPine Island Camp— (207) 465 3031Pine Island Non-Profit Summer Camp – New Spots OpenDoug Lalli – Jazz Musician, Composer and Teacher— (708) 228-7150Call 708-228-7150 to arrange for your first FREE lesson!Doug Lalli – Pianist/Composer/Teacher— (708) 228-7150Call 708-228-7150 to arrange for your first FREE lesson!Oak Park Conservatory— (708) 725-2400Discover Oak Park’s Hidden Gem – A living world of beautyClick here to show your appreciation! 💚Want to see your business here?Click here to connect with local customers.

🪧MathHotels.comClassifiedsRemarkable Brain Science Breakthrough Helps Kids Overcome Reading Problems – Program Available Now!Program is called a “miracle” by many parents and students…. (More info)

💬ChatterWhat your neighbors are talking about on social mediaThere is a major accident on I-90 E reported at…There is a major accident on I-90 E reported at 5:32 AM. “I-90 Eastbound – CRASH – at WB I-190 Exit Ramp – MP 77.4 – ALL LANES OPEN (Fri Mar 06,… (Nextdoor )There is a major accident on I-90 E reported at…There is a major accident on I-90 E reported at 5:29 AM. “CRASH AHEAD. SLOW DOWN and MOVE OVER” (Nextdoor )West Suburban Medical Center, LLC posted a job opening forEVS – Housekeepingin Oak Park. Apply here.MaidPro, Inc. posted a job opening forHousekeeper/Housekeepingin Oak 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 MathHotels.comAM!

— The MathHotels.comAM Team

P.S. The answer to today’s riddle:Hissssss-tory(Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)

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