In 2024, there were 10 notable stories Wednesday Journal readers like you were riveted by. Whether you read our work to get the best local news possible, for strong opinions in our Viewpoints section or to smile at some lovely photos, you came to us to do it – and we thank you for reading for another year.
Let’s see what captivated you in 2024.
10. Public lashes out at Oak Park library over management of Palestinian culture event by Luzane Draughon. This issue piqued interest in the community and at the library earlier this year, reaching 12,164 views online.
“It’s time for Oak Park to stop putting Black women, especially, in positions of power and thinking we’ve solved racism,” said Juanta Griffin, the Oak Park Public Library’s multicultural learning coordinator.
“I’m just really dismayed at the narrative that is happening around this whole situation … It’s very reckless and it’s dangerous and it doesn’t represent who we are as a library or who I am,” said Joslyn Bowling Dixon, former OPPL executive director.
9. Slain Oak Park police Det. Allan Reddins was a ‘family man,’ chief says by Erika Hobbs. Our editor rushed to cover this breaking news over the Thanksgiving break, letting the community know that Det. Allan Reddins was shot and killed on duty. The last time an Oak Park police officer was killed in the line of duty was in 1938.
The news gained 12,192 views. We later covered Reddins’ vigil, visitation and funeral in efforts to amplify the voices of his friends, family, colleagues and loved ones.
8. Executive Director Joslyn Bowling Dixon fired by Oak Park’s library board by Erika Hobbs. After weeks of controversy and heated public comments at the library board table from both sides, Dixon was fired after fewer than two years in her role. Those who supported Dixon were angry, while others supported the decision approved by six of seven trustees. The OPPL board has yet to hire a full-time replacement. The story topped 12,313 views.
7. Teenager shot in foot at Scoville Park released from hospital by Luzane Draughon. Oak Park officers responded to a group of 20 to 30 kids in Scoville Park, witnessing an ongoing dispute. A teenage victim had a gunshot wound in his left foot and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The shocking news story reached 14,375 views.
6. Cozy Corner set to close July 28 by Risé Sanders-Weir. The 65-year-old diner at the corner of Lake and Marion streets closed over the summer after owners were informed rent would be more than double.
“Cozy Corner would have never been a success, if it wasn’t for this community,” said Peter Gerousis, one of the owners.
A total of 18,947 online views showed the community empathized for the owners and felt the loss of the community gathering place deeply. In October, Sanders-Weir reported that Breakfast House, a Chicago restaurant chain, would open in the same storefront.
5. Pete’s Fresh Market can’t confirm its opening date. Again by Luzane Draughon. Back in January 2024, a representative from Pete’s Fresh Market reported that the grocery store chain still could not confirm an opening date. With 20,157 views, this news story demonstrated that Oak Park readers were eager for the store to open after six years of delays and extensions.
A year before, in January 2023, the village board had approved changing the opening date to June 30, 2024. It became clear that wasn’t going to happen.
“They are behind, right, everybody knows that,” said Cameron Davis, the village’s assistant director of development customer services.
4. Still waiting for Pete’s Fresh Market? Take a number by Luzane Draughon. Over the summer, Pete’s Fresh Market still hadn’t kept its promises on when it would open its Madison Street location. In June, Pete’s developers had finally submitted the permit application for the earth retention system, so they could start building the foundation and underground parking.
The story gathered 20,828 views. But readers are still hooked by this ongoing development, where construction has now started and the shell of the building is next. Oak Park trustees also approved a 16-month extension for the grocery store along with harsher consequences for future delays this summer.
3. ABC7’s Roz Varon opens up about life on the air by Hope Baker. Longtime River Forest resident Roz Varon retired from her 35-year career as a traffic/transportation anchor in April. Varon has won multiple Emmy Awards for her reporting and programming.
She’s also a breast cancer survivor. The story of her life and career reached 21,359 online views.
2. Historic home hits the market for the first time in 50 years by Lacey Sikora. This story with 23,579 views described the home and history at 522 Linden Ave., priced at $1.195 million.
“It requires a little bit of love, but it’s so special,” said Compass Real Estate Broker Rubina Bokhari. The owner decided to sell after 50 years in the house, and Bokhari said the house is one of the most remarkable in Oak Park.
1. Housing Choice Voucher waiting list set to reopen by Luzane Draughon. The top story that grabbed our readers’ attention this year summited at 117,163 views, more than four times as many views as 2023’s top-read Wednesday Journal story. It was the first time the Oak Park Housing Authority opened its voucher waiting list for low-income households since 2022. Before that, the waiting list had not opened in 18 years.
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