Daily Archive : Sunday March 30, 2014

News

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    Edelman cancels NCC show
    Broadway veteran and Chicago native Gregg Edelman has canceled his April 6, appearance at North Central College.

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    Suburban managers attend conference on the cheap
    By Lenore T. Adkins
    A Daily Herald analysis of costs of local administrators attending a four-day conference in Boston last year showed some made a concerted effort to save money. One from Lisle attended virtually. Others such as from Wheeling, Fox Lake and Villa Park shared rooms, won contests or paid some of their own expenses. “I thought that it was in the best interest of the city that I share in the...

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    Mike Blodgett, who is from Batavia but lives in Japan, gets a little tender loving care from his wife, Ikuchan, and their daughter, Olivia. Blodgett went missing for six days while hiking on Mount Omine.

    Batavia man reported missing for 6 days in Japan found
    By Doug T. Graham
    A man from Batavia who had been lost on a mountain in Japan for six days has been found. Mike Blodgett, 35, who lives in Japan with his wife and young daughter, came into trouble when he slipped off a trail and down the side of Mount Omine, which he had been hiking alone.

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    Some homeowners required to have federal flood insurance like Cheryl Brady of Wheeling have seen their premiums jump. A new law approved this month limits the size of annual increases.

    Suburbs hit with flood insurance rate increases
    By Christopher Placek
    Homeowners in suburbs like Des Plaines, Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Addison and Aurora who have to keep a close eye on rising waters nearby will also have to worry about rising flood insurance rates. How far or for how long the rates will climb is unclear. “With all these hurricanes and tornadoes, I’m sure FEMA’s struggling, but do you have to take it out on us?” one...

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    Army veteran Michael Blazer from Lebanon, Tenn., now with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, joins others to place 1,892 flags representing veteran and service members who have died by suicide to date in 2014, Thursday on the National Mall in Washington.

    Poll: Majority of Iraq, Afghan war vets struggle

    More than half of the 2.6 million Americans dispatched to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan struggle with physical or mental health problems stemming from their service, feel disconnected from civilian life and believe the government is failing to meet the needs of this generation’s veterans, according to a poll conducted by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

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    Lynn Hoyer of Crystal Lake helps her daughter, Ellie, 3, bowl Sunday during the “Pits For Patriots Stars and Strikes Fundraiser” at Hoffman Lanes in Hoffman Estates. The event featured bowling, raffles and silent auctions and a bake sale to raise money to rescue pit bulls and train them for service work.

    Fundraiser helps match vets with rescued pit bulls
    By Gilbert R. Boucher II
    A rescued pit bull named Mira was one of the first things people saw Sunday when they entered Hoffman Lanes in Hoffman Estates for the "Pits For Patriots Stars and Strikes Fundraiser." That's only fitting since Mira, and the idea behind her, is why many were coming to the bowling alley Sunday afternoon. Eighty bowlers, and two pit bulls, attended the event to raise money for Pits for Patriots, a...

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    Judge John G. Dolton swears in Anna Moeller as the new state representative for the 43rd District. Moeller, who recently resigned from the Elgin City Council, said she plans to run for election in November.

    Moeller takes oath of office in 43rd District
    By Steve Zalusky
    Pledging to serve in bipartisan fashion and reach out to all parts of her new constituency, former Elgin City Council member Anna Moeller was sworn in Sunday as the new state representative for the 43rd District. Moeller replaces Keith Farnham, who resigned earlier this month amid a federal investigation.

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    Family and friends attend a candlelight vigil for Jeffrey and Katherine Bronken Sunday night at Heron View Park In Round Lake. The father and daughter were killed in a Florida small plane crash.

    Round Lake dad, daughter remembered with vigil
    By Doug T. Graham
    More than 400 neighbors, friends and family gathered to remember the lives of Jeffrey and Katherine "Katie" Bronken — a father and daughter killed in a March 22 plane crash in Florida — to support the family at a candlelight vigil at the park Sunday night in the Valley Lake subdivision in Round Lake.

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    Rescue dog Nexus, muddy from working onsite, is decontaminated by a hose after leaving the west side of the mudslide Sunday in Arlington, Wash. Periods of rain and wind have hampered efforts the past two days.

    Mudslide death toll rises, search dogs take break
    Associated Press
    Many of the dogs that have been essential in the search for victims of the deadly mudslide that buried the mountainside community of Oso will take a two-day break after long hours in the cold and rain, rescue crews said Sunday. The dogs can lose their sensing ability if overworked, officials said.

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    Pro-Russian demonstrators hold Russian national flags during an anti-government rally in Luhansk, Ukraine, Sunday. As Ukraine moves quickly to build up its governance, it still casts an uneasy eye toward Russia, fearing a possible troop invasion into eastern Ukraine.

    US, Russia talks fail to end Ukraine deadlock
    Associated Press
    The United States and Russia agreed Sunday the crisis in Ukraine requires a diplomatic resolution, but four hours of talks between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov failed to break a tense East-West deadlock over how to proceed.

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    Todd Ferryman with Access Limited Construction rappels down a mesh covered slope as he assesses the landslide damage from Friday’s earthquake which closed Carbon Canyon Rd. in Brea, Calif. The slope which was already covered with wire mesh has to be stabilized before the debris removed and the road opened.

    7.5 quake on California fault could be disastrous
    Associated Press
    Experts say a bigger earthquake along the lesser-known fault that gave Southern California a moderate shake could do more damage to the region than the long-dreaded “Big One” from the more famous San Andreas Fault.

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    Women release balloons to symbolize their prayers for the 239 passengers on board the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, at a park at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday. A new batch of relatives from China has arrived today to seek answers of what happened to their loved one on board flight MH370.

    No objects from search linked yet to Flight 370
    Associated Press
    Despite what Australia called an “intensifying search effort,” an international hunt Sunday by aircraft and ships in the southern Indian Ocean found no debris linked to the Malaysian jet that vanished more than three weeks ago. Several dozen angry Chinese relatives of Flight 370 passengers demanded “evidence, truth, dignity” from Malaysian authorities, expressing their...

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    A cat coffin with a mummy, left, and an ibis coffin is displayed as part of the exhibit “Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt,” at the Orange County’s Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Calif. The exhibition focuses on the mummification of animals in the ancient Egyptian culture and religion.

    Animal mummies displayed at California museum
    Dogs and cats are often beloved family members in current culture, but animals held such a prominent place in ancient Egyptian society that tens of millions were mummified, some going into the pharaohs’ tombs to rest eternally in the company of their kings. Others had their own special cemeteries, where they were buried in coffins as elaborately carved as those of royal family members.

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    Hearing planned on pot businesses
    Daily Herald report
    Mundelein’s planning and zoning commission will hold a public hearing Wednesday regarding the potential operation of medical marijuana growing facilities and dispensaries in town.

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    Aurora serial smash-and-grab burglar faces long sentence
    By Harry Hitzeman
    An Aurora man arrested after police investigating a spate of smash-and-grab burglaries put a GPS tracker on his car could face a lengthy prison term because of his past record. Mark Swienton, 50, pleaded guilty earlier this year to burglaries in Aurora and St. Charles - his 11th and 12th felony convictons.

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    Group to talk flooding
    Daily Herald report
    The Lake County Board’s planning, building and zoning committee will meet Tuesday to discuss a flood-relief plan for part of central Lake County.

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    Antioch parks bicycle sale
    Daily Herald Report
    Antioch's Parks and Recreation Department will offer residents a chance to sell their unwanted bicycles April 12.

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    District 50 to ‘Keep on Moving’
    Daily Herald report
    Woodland Elementary District 50’s Parent Teacher Association and the Woodland Educational Foundation will co-host the 3rd Annual Keep on Moving 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk on May 9.

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    An underwater search-surveying vehicle sits on the wharf ready to be fitted to the defense ship Ocean Shield to aid in her role in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in Perth, Australia, Sunday. The Australian warship, with the aircraft black box detector, was set to depart Sunday to join the search.

    Seabed of jet hunt zone mostly flat with 1 trench
    Associated Press
    Two miles beneath the sea surface where satellites and planes are looking for debris from the missing Malaysian jet, the ocean floor is cold, dark, covered in a squishy muck of dead plankton and — in a potential break for the search — mostly flat. The troubling exception is a steep, rocky drop ending in a deep trench.

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    A road continues to be built at right to connect the two sides of the scene of a deadly mudslide to allow searchers though in Oso, Wash. Besides the more than two dozen bodies already found, many more people could be buried in the debris pile left from the mudslide one week ago.

    No national system to track landslide hazards
    Associated Press
    People living in the path of a deadly Washington state landslide had virtually no warning before a wall of mud, trees and other debris thundered down the mountain. Some of the homeowners didn’t even know the hillside could give way at any time. Unlike the warning systems and elaborate maps that help residents and officials prepare for natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes,...

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    People attend the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session and Expo in Washington. A large study in Sweden found that a blood test plus the usual electrocardiogram of the heartbeat were 99 percent accurate at showing which patients could safely be sent home rather than be admitted for observation and more diagnostics.

    Test accurately rules out heart attacks in the ER
    Associated Press
    simple test appears very good at ruling out heart attacks in people who go to emergency rooms with chest pain, a big public health issue and a huge worry for patients. A large study in Sweden found that the blood test plus the usual electrocardiogram of the heartbeat were 99 percent accurate at showing which patients could safely be sent home rather than be admitted for observation and more...

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    Two injured in Palatine crash; driver charged with DUI
    By Steve Zalusky
    Illinois State Police said two people were hospitalized early Sunday morning after a one-car crash on Route 53 in Palatine. The crash occurred about 1:36 a.m. as the vehicle was northbound on Route 53 just south of Rand Road, according to state police. Route 53 was shut down for 25 minutes while the driver was extricated.

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    Unable to move his limbs, speak or blink, 4-year-old James exchanges a “nose bump” with his father, Jeff Fulkerson. Stacy and Jeff Fulkerson of Schaumburg hope an April 6 fundraiser moves them closer to their dream of buying a special van to transport their son.

    Community helping Schaumburg parents of boy with severe disabilities
    By Burt Constable
    When a child has severe disabilities that require round-the-clock care, insurance doesn't come close to providing all that is needed. Friends and family of Jeff and Stacy Fulkerson are hosting a fundraiser with the hope of buying a van that could handle their 4-year-old son's wheelchair. “We’ve had so much help,” Stacy says.

Sports

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    Good reasons to expect enjoyable Sox season
    By Chris Rongey
    Despite the low expectations, 2014 could still be a very fun year for the White Sox.

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    The White Sox' Paul Konerko (14) is congratulated by Conor Gillaspie (12) and Dayan Viciedo (24) after hitting a 2-run home run against the Seattle Mariners last week in Arizona.

    Sox' Konerko ready for his final big-league go-round
    By Scot Gregor
    Paul Konerko is not going to be in the starting lineup in Monday's season opener, and that's just fine with the White Sox' 38-year-old captain. As he prepares for his final season before heading into retirement, Konerko just wants to be ready when he does get to play.

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    The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Lee Stempniak (22) puts the puck behind Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) for a goal in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 30, 2014. The Penguins won 4-1.

    Toews ‘day-to-day’ after Blackhawks loss
    By Mike Spellman
    The Blackhawks were looking at a nightmare scenario Sunday night when Jonathan Toews took a crunching hit along the boards from Pittsburgh’s Brooks Orpick with 6:30 remaining in the second period, left the ice holding his left arm and never returned in a 4-1 Penguins victory.

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    Bulls guard D.J. Augustin drives past the Celtics’ Jerryd Bayless in the second quarter Sunday night on his way to a career-high 33 points.

    Augustin scores career high, Bulls win
    By Mike McGraw
    D.J. Augustin scored a career-high 33 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:19 remaining, leading the Bulls to a 107-102 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday at the TD Garden. The Bulls are now 16-1 in games following a loss since Dec. 21.

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    The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) works the puck in the corner against Chicago Blackhawks center Peter Regin (12) in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 30, 2014. Crosby scored twice to lead the Penguins to a 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.

    Toews hurt in Blackhawks’ loss to Penguins
    By DAN SCIFO
    Associated PressPITTSBURGH — The reeling Blackhawks took another hard hit. The Pittsburgh Penguins appear to be coming together at just the right time.Already playing without Patrick Kane, the Blackhawks lost captain Jonathan Toews to an upper-body injury when he was drilled by Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik. Toews was holding his left arm on the bench before heading down the runway for good in the second.Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville didn’t believe the injury to Toews was serious, characterizing it as day to day.“We’ll get a better assessment tomorrow,” Quenneville said.Sidney Crosby scored two goals in the final five minutes, helping the Penguins to a 4-1 victory over the injury-riddled Hawks on Sunday night.“I thought this was one of our most physical games of the year,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. “We saw it from the beginning of the game until the end.”James Neal and Lee Stempniak also scored for the Penguins, who won their second straight and snapped a three-game home losing streak. Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves in his 36th victory of the season.Orpik’s hit on Toews occurred with 6:30 remaining in the middle period. The two were going for a loose puck.“It was a big hit,” Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp said. “You could tell he was trying to hit him hard. He knew who he was hitting. It’s tough when you see your captain get hit like that.”Quenneville said he needed to see a replay of Orpik’s hit. Bylsma said he only saw the hit live, and believed it was clean. Orpik agreed.“There’s no penalty, so I don’t know,” Orpik said. “I think that hit happens 10 times a game.”It’s been a rough stretch for injuries for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who will be without star forward Kane for the rest of the regular season because of a lower-body injury. Bryan Bickell is out with an upper-body injury but is expected to return soon.Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa played with Orpik with the Penguins during their run to the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals.“(Orpik) is a heavy hitter,” Hossa said. “That’s his game. It’s never easy to play against him. Sometimes he’s on the borderline, but I know him as a fair guy and that’s how I remember him.”The injury to Toews galvanized the Blackhawks, who dominated play in the third period. But Fleury held up just fine.Crosby capped a 2-on-1 rush for Pittsburgh at 15:09 of the third, sending a wrist shot over the shoulder of Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford. He added an empty-netter with 1:16 left for his 36th goal and league-leading 99th point of the season.“Obviously, they were coming and they put a lot of pressure on us,” Crosby said. “They started to take a few more risks and we were able to capitalize.”Sheldon Brookbank scored for the Blackhawks, who have lost three straight in regulation for the first time since February 2012.The Penguins and Blackhawks started the month at a snowy Soldier Field, part of the NHL Stadium Series. Chicago cruised to a 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh on March 1 in the beginning of a rough month for each team.“We remember that snowy night in Chicago,” Bylsma said. “They took it to us pretty good. We wanted to respond in this game and I think we did.”The Blackhawks and Penguins began the day with identical near-.500 March records and one win in each of their last four games.Injuries to top forwards have played a role; Chicago played its sixth in a row without Kane, while former NHL MVP Evgeni Malkin missed his fourth straight for Pittsburgh. Both are expected to return for the postseason.Chicago added another big name to the list after the loss of Toews.

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    Wolves fall 6-3 at Rockford
    Special to the Daily Herald
    The Chicago Wolves did not have one more rally in them as they forged a third-period tie before falling 6-3 to Rockford on Sunday in an Illinois Lottery Cup contest at the MetroCentre.

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    Jeff Samardzija makes his second straight opening-day start for the Cubs when he faces the Pirates at Pittsburgh.

    Cubs’ Samardzija continues to learn on his baseball journey
    By Bruce Miles
    Jeff Samardzija will make his second straight opeing-day start for the Cubs Monday at Pittsburgh. A few short years ago, that might have been unthinkable to many Cubs fans. But Samardzija has come a long way,and he admits there was much to learn on the journey.

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    White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers autographs a photo for a fan.

    Ventura to reveal Sox’ closer before gametime
    By Scot Gregor
    Who is the White Sox' closer to open the season? What is the batting order going to be? Are Dayan Viciedo and Alejandro De Aza going to platoon in left field? Manager Robin Ventura is waiting until Monday to provide answers.

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    Opening Day is all about firsts
    By Len Kasper
    Opening Day never disappoints. It has been my favorite day of the entire sports calendar since I can remember.

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    Chicago Bulls’ D.J. Augustin (14) drives past Boston Celtics’ Jerryd Bayless in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Sunday, March 30, 2014.

    Bulls topple Celtics 107-102
    Associated Press
    BOSTON — D.J. Augustin scored 15 of his career-high 33 points in the fourth quarter and the Chicago Bulls held off the slumping Boston Celtics 107-102 on Sunday night.Augustin was perfect from the foul line on 10 attempts and was 10-for-14 from the floor, including a 3-pointer late in the period to break a 96-all tie and give Chicago the lead for good. He followed that with six straight free throws to help the Bulls close out the Celtics.Augustin’s previous scoring high 31 points against Philadelphia in January 2011.Joakim Noah finished with 13 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds for the Bulls, who will try for a three-game season sweep against the Celtics on Monday night in Chicago.Kirk Hinrich and Mike Dunleavy added 11 points apiece as all five Chicago starters scored in double figures. Chicago made 25 of 31 foul shots while Boston was just 12 for 16 from the line.Rajon Rondo had 17 points and 11 assists for Boston, which has lost four straight and nine of 10.Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger scored 16 points each for Boston and Sullinger pulled down 10 rebounds. Kris Humphries added 14 points and eight rebounds as Boston outrebounded Chicago 39-31, but could not stop Augustin in the fourth.The Celtics kept the Bulls from making a run early in the fourth quarter, matching nearly every basket and continuing to outrebound Chicago. Boston grabbed two offensive rebounds on one possession and Brandon Bass put back the second to give the Celtics an 87-86 lead.Noah drew a foul on the other end and hit both free throws, Hinrich added a 3-pointer and Augustin made a reverse layup to put the Bulls up 93-87 with 4:36 left.Rondo answered with a 3-pointer for Boston, then Sullinger blocked a layup attempt by Augustin to set up a fast-break 3-pointer by Green to pull Boston back within a basket. Green hit again from beyond-the-arc after a foul shot by Noah and the score was tied at 96 with 2:13 remaining.Augustin broke the tie with his third 3-pointer of the game, then made a steal on an inbounds play that all but ended Boston’s chances. Augustin drew a foul and made both free throws, then added four more from the line as the Celtics were forced to foul.Augustin’s two free throws with 22 seconds left put Chicago up 105-99 and the margin was too much for Boston to overcome.

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    Kentucky head coach John Calipari, left, celebrates with Marcus Lee after an NCAA Midwest Regional final college basketball tournament game Sunday, March 30, 2014, in Indianapolis. Kentucky won 75-72 to advance to the Final Four.

    Kentucky keeps Michigan out of Final Four
    Associated Press
    INDIANAPOLIS — Aaron Harrison made a 3-pointer from NBA range with 2.3 seconds left Sunday to lift Kentucky and its freshmen to a 75-72 win over Michigan and a trip to the Final Four.After Harrison’s teammate, Julius Randle, inadvertently tipped in the tying shot on Michigan’s previous possession, the eighth-seeded Wildcats got the ball to the 6-foot-6 guard, whose twin brother, Andrew, is another of the five freshmen in Kentucky’s starting lineup. Standing a good three feet behind the arc, Harrison elevated over Caris LeVert and took a bit of contact on the arm from the Michigan guard as he shot. No matter. The shot rattled in, and for the second straight game in the Midwest Regional, Harrison had the go-ahead points in a tense game for the Wildcats (28-10). In this one, he scored all 12 of his points off four 3-pointers over the last 8:05. “I hit a couple before that, so coach said to get the shot we were looking for,” Harrison said. “They put it in my hands and I wanted to deliver for them out there.” Nik Stauskas missed a halfcourt heave at the buzzer for second-seeded Michigan (28-9), and moments later, Harrison was under a dog pile or make that a puppy pile. This is the first all-freshman starting lineup to make the Final Four since another well-known group, the Fab Five of Michigan, did it in 1992.“I’m gonna see everyone in Dallas this year,” coach John Calipari said, with his version of a Texas twang, as he addressed the crowd before the nets came down. The Wildcats will play Wisconsin next Saturday outside of Big D.Stauskas finished with 24 points for the Wolverines, who finished a win shy of their second straight Final Four.Randle had 16 points and 11 rebounds for his 24th double-double and was named the region’s most outstanding player.But he was just one of the freshmen stars for the Wildcats Sunday. While Harrison was being completely shut down early, it was unheralded Marcus Lee keeping the Wildcats in the game. Lee, one of the six McDonald’s All-American freshmen on Calipari’s roster, had scored a total of nine points since the beginning of January. But he got minutes that would have normally gone to the injured Willie Cauley-Stein, and finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Eight of those points came on put-back dunks that were part of Kentucky’s 18 offensive rebounds.Harrison’s first 3 gave Kentucky a 58-55 lead and was part of an 11-0 run that put the Wolverines in catch-up mode, behind 62-55 with 6:30 left. They fought back, and during a nine-possession stretch of sublime basketball that covered more than four minutes, each team scored every time they got the ball. The first stop in the sequence gave the Wolverines the ball with about a minute left, trailing 72-70. Stauskas missed a layup and a 3-pointer and Derrick Walton then missed an open 3. But the fourth attempt went in with 31 seconds left and got credited to Jordan Morgan on a scramble under the basket, though it was Randle’s hand that tipped the ball in. Calipari called a timeout. Michigan burned a foul. And the endgame started with 10 seconds left. The ball went to Harrison and it was clear he was going to take the shot. He spotted up from about 25 feet, and after he hit, he walked backward calmly before being hugged by Randle and Dakari Johnson. Moments later, Kentucky was celebrating, preparing for the program’s 16th trip to college basketball’s biggest stage.

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    Daily Herald reporter Tim Sassone spent many long days working in the Blackhawks media room before games.

    Verdi on Sassone’s legacy covering the Blackhawks
    By Bob Verdi
    In an evolving industry, Tim Sassone represented a bastion of stability. For more than a quarter century, he wrote about one team, the Blackhawks, for one newspaper, The Daily Herald. And as Blackhawks Team Historian and colleague Bob Verdi explains, if you were among the many who competed against him over the years, you were best served to take your lumps and promise to try harder. You were not going to outwork him; that was a given.

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    Michigan State’s Gary Harris and Keith Appling react in the second half of a regional final against Connecticut at the NCAA college basketball tournament on Sunday, March 30, 2014, in New York.

    Spartans fall; UConn going to Final Four
    Associated Press
    NEW YORK — Shabazz Napier scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half, and UConn beat Michigan State 60-54 to return to the Final Four a year after the Huskies were barred from the NCAA tournament.Napier, the East Regional’s most outstanding player, hit three huge free throws with 37.6 seconds left at Madison Square Garden to carry UConn to the Final Four just as Kemba Walker did in Napier’s freshman year.The Huskies (30-8) rallied from a nine-point second-half deficit to become the first No. 7 seed to reach the Final Four since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.Fourth-seeded Michigan State’s seniors become the first four-year players recruited by Tom Izzo to fail to reach the Final Four. Gary Harris led the Spartans (29-9) with 22 points.The undersized Huskies matched Michigan State’s physical play box-out for box-out, holding the Spartans to just six offensive rebounds and six points in the paint. UConn dared Michigan State to shoot 3-pointers, and the Spartans nearly made enough, going 11 for 29 from behind the arc.Trailing 51-49 with more than two minutes left, Michigan State had a chance to tie or take the lead. But Adreian Payne fumbled the ball away, and Napier drilled a jumper on the other end.After Payne hit a pair of free throws to pull the Spartans back within two, Keith Appling was called for a foul on Napier’s 3-point attempt. The senior extended the lead to 56-51, and after Travis Trice missed a 3, Michigan State couldn’t get to UConn to foul. Phillip Nolan slipped free for a dunk that clinched the victory and had thousands of Huskies fans in the Garden leaping up and down.UConn won its third national title in 2011, but the Huskies were ineligible for last year’s tournament because of previous low scores on the NCAA’s academic progress measure.Ryan Boatright made four steals as UConn used its quickness to force 16 turnovers. DeAndre Daniels shut down Branden Dawson, who scored 24 points in Michigan State’s Sweet 16 win over top-seeded Virginia. Dawson attempted just three field goals, making one, to finish with five points. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound Payne hit two long jumpers to put Michigan State up 32-23 less than four minutes into the second half. But Napier started driving, getting the bigger Appling in foul trouble and UConn back in the game.After hitting four straight free throws to tie the score at 32 with 12:38 left, Napier was struck in the face by Gary Harris the UConn guard was called for a foul on the play and left the court with his nose gushing blood. He was back less than minute later when Daniels completed a three-point play to give the Huskies the lead for good.Boatright hit a contested 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down to put UConn up 49-39 with less than seven minutes left. But the Spartans rallied behind their long-range shooting.

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    A bat lies on the ground as grounds crews prepare the field before and a spring exhibition baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Birmingham Barons on Friday, March 28, 2014, in Birmingham, Ala.

    Baseball best enjoyed with an optimistic view
    By Matt Spiegel
    With dreams of a 2014 title out of reach on both sides of town, Matt Spiegel provides achievable goals and predictions for some of Chicago’s most important players. He’s here to help you focus your baseball attention.

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    Portland’s Nicolas Batum, top, battles Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy and Jimmy Butler for a rebound during the second half Friday night. The Trail Blazers won 91-74.

    Bulls now looking to finish strong
    By Mike McGraw
    The best news for the Bulls on Friday wasn't that they clinched a playoff spot when New York lost at Phoenix. The better news is the Bulls are done playing Western Conference playoff contenders unless they make it to the Finals. All 10 of their remaining games are against teams with inferior records.

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    Bulls game day
    Bulls stories, notes, photos and graphics

Business

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    The Apple iPhone 4s, left, is seen next to the Samsung Galaxy S III at a store in San Francisco. Apple already has won nearly $1 billion in judgments against Samsung over patent infringements involving older-model devices. Now Apple is alleging Samsung’s newest devices, such as its Galaxy S III, also copied Apple technology. Jury selection for the case begins Monday.

    Another Apple-Samsung skirmish heads to court
    Associated Press
    The fiercest rivalry in the world of smartphones is heading back to court this week in the heart of the Silicon Valley, with Apple and Samsung accusing each other, once again, of ripping off designs and features. The trial will mark the latest round in a long-running series of lawsuits between the two tech giants that underscore a much larger concern about what is allowed to be patented.

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    A sign near a gas well drilling site is seen near a road in Pulaski, Pa. The gas drilling company Hilcorp that is working the well has asked state officials to invoke a 1961 law in the rural area and allow Utica Shale well bores under the property of four landowners who have not signed leases.

    Neighbors bicker in Pa. over forced gas drilling
    Associated Press
    An energy company is dusting off an old, unused state law that can force property owners to accept oil and gas drilling under their land, pitting neighbor against neighbor in a Pennsylvania community and raising the possibility that lawmakers will have to take sides.

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    Work Advice: A know-it-all who knows how he sounds
    By Karla L. Miller
    Karla L. Miller writes an advice column on navigating the modern workplace. Each week she will answer one or two questions from readers.

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    Career Coach: Are you an ethical leader?
    By Joyce E.A. Russell
    Decades of leadership and business scandals have led many to be skeptical that anyone can be an ethical leader. Indeed, some suspect the main objective of leaders is to simply increase production and profits — sometimes using any tactics.But this view has been changing. Research has shown that the ethics of a workplace can be directly linked to bottom-line company performance. As a result, more and more people are taking it upon themselves to ensure standards of moral and ethical conduct in their offices, starting with themselves.What does it mean to be an ethical leader?• Be a role model of integrity. Integrity has been seen as the single most important leadership attribute across many cultures and countries. This means being credible and doing what you say you will do.An effective leader honors commitments and expects subordinates and business partners to do so as well. He or she maintains loyalty, apologizes when necessary, and takes responsibility. Ethical leaders make the right choices for the long-term benefit. They understand that it all starts with them, and that if they don’t project the values they wish to promote in others, employees will see them as a hypocrite and possibly ignore their ethical guidelines.As Albert Schweitzer noted, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” And as Warren Buffett once said, “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And, if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”• Set ethical standards for the company. This is a critical first step in creating an ethical organization. These standards must be clear so that all employees understand what is meant. Employees must know how they should behave toward one another, customers and business partners. They also need to know what is unacceptable in the workplace.• Provide training. Managers and employees should be provided with training on the types of ethical dilemmas they may face, such as with customers or employees. This can enable them to practice how to respond to these possible issues in a way that supports the company’s ethical codes. In addition, training on how to interpret the firm’s standards is a good idea to avoid later confusion over interpretations.• Inspire trust. As expert and author Patrick Lencioni noted in his best-seller, “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” the fundamental base of an organization is trust.When people trust each other, they can focus on getting the work done, asking for help when they need it, and solving business problems. They do not need to spend energy manipulating others, worrying about being mistreated, dealing with harassing employees, etc. This trust starts at the top — when an organization’s leader is reliable, is willing to admit mistakes and is trustworthy, subordinates have confidence in leadership. Ethical leaders recognize that by leading by example this creates an environment that fosters productivity.• Enhance workplace relationships. Ethical leaders understand that all employees must be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their rank in the organization or their demographics.They know that their work environment must be safe and free of harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and bullying of any kind. They further know that there should be fair and equal opportunities for promotion, and that they should encourage employees to pursue training and development opportunities to advance in their careers. They also know that employees are more than just workers — they have lives outside of work that need to be considered in order to keep them healthy.

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    A key reason to hold on to your past tax returns and supporting documentation is so you can address any issues should the Internal Revenue Service question any entries on a previous tax return.

    5 tips on how to tackle financial records clutter
    Associated Press
    Tax season offers an opportunity to finally dig through that shoe box or file cabinet where you’ve amassed a trove of old receipts, bank statements, pay stubs and other personal financial information.Here are some tips on how to thin out that clutter of financial records you may have accumulated over the years.

  •  
    Attorney General Eric Holder, right, listens as U.S. Attorney for the Second District Preet Bharara talks about the $1.2 billion settlement with Toyota over its disclosure of safety problems during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington.

    Toyota case shows it’s hard to prosecute execs
    Associated Press
    The Justice Department socked Toyota with a $1.2 billion penalty last week for concealing dangerous defects in some cars. Yet it’s unlikely anyone will go to jail. Prosecutors say they had little choice but to accept that outcome because of constraints with evidence and the challenge of gathering testimony and information from witnesses abroad.

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    David Pietig, operations manager for Arlington Plastics Machinery, in Elk Grove Village poses. His company exports used plastic processing equipment, and the North American Free Trade Agreement has made it easier for the company to export, so much so that it has been able to hire two workers and may hire more.

    Trade pacts in the works may boost small business
    Associated Press
    Just 1 percent of U.S. companies export. Overseas markets represent a huge opportunity for small businesses that want to increase their revenue, but expensive tariffs, burdensome paperwork and delays in customs makes doing business with some countries more trouble than it’s worth. The Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership could change that.

  •  
    People line up at the food pantry at Sacred Heart Community Service on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in San Jose, Calif. Silicon Valley is entering its fifth year of unfettered growth, with among the highest incomes in the U.S. and the largest share of high-growth, high-wage jobs. Those gains have doubled housing costs in the past five years while wages for low and middle skilled workers are stagnant. Homelessness and racial disparities are on the rise.

    Silicon Valley boom eludes many, drives income gap
    Associated Press
    Silicon Valley is entering itís fifth year of unfettered growth, with among the highest incomes in the U.S. and the largest share of high-growth, high-wage jobs. Those gains have doubled housing costs in the past five years while wages for low and middle skilled workers are stagnant. Homelessness and racial disparities are on the rise.

  •  
    Fashion designer Sam Leutton originally from Stockport northern England, poses for a portrait at her booth in Somerset House, the main centre for London Fashion Week, where she is showing her designs in London. While politicians trumpet London’s recovery from the financial crisis and its status as the world’s fastest growing developed economy, the figures point to a growing divide, one that pits Londonís growing boom against the malaise in once-affluent cities such as Manchester that are struggling to remain vibrant in the 21st century.

    London ‘draining life’ from rest of UK economy
    Associated Press
    There’s London. And then there’s the rest of the country. While the government trumpets the country’s recovery from the financial crisis and its status as the world’s fastest-growing developed economy, the rhetoric hides an increasing divide: One that pits London’s boom against the malaise in cities such as Manchester and Birmingham that are struggling to remain vibrant in the 21st century.

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    Study: Borrowers paying mortgages ahead of cards
    Associated Press
    When it comes to paying the bills, the mortgage is once again more of a priority for many U.S. homeowners than their credit cards. That’s the conclusion of a study released by credit reporting agency TransUnion, which examined about a decade’s worth of U.S. consumers’ payment data.

  •  
    General Mills is offering a new Nibblr snack delivery service that execs liken to the music subscription service Pandora, which offers personalized radio stations based on music people like. He called it the attraction of the “controlled surprise.”

    Smart Spending: Snack delivery services
    Associated Press
    Americans really love their snacks, but will they pay to have them delivered to their mailboxes? That’s the bet behind new snack delivery services that want to inject an element of surprise into the snacking ritual. Rather than letting people pick what they want, the companies usually assemble packages based on the customer’s general preferences.

Life & Entertainment

  •  
    Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the LA Premiere of “Sabotage,” in Los Angeles.

    Arnold Schwarzenegger praises Jerry Brown
    By Ryan Pearson
    Arnold Schwarzenegger may be back to gunning down bad guys in action movies, but he’s playing nice when it comes to politics. Three years after returning to acting, the Republican and two-term California governor has plenty of praise for his Democratic successor, Jerry Brown.

  •  
    Actress Kate O’Mara, best known for her role in the 1980s soap opera “Dynasty,” has died at the age of 74. Her agent Phil Belfield said O’Mara died Sunday in a nursing home in southern England after a short illness. The actress, who began her television career in the 1960s, became a household name for playing Alexis Colby’s scheming sister Cassandra “Caress” Morrell in “Dynasty.”

    Former ‘Dynasty’ star Kate O’Mara dies at age 74
    Associated Press
    British actress Kate O’Mara, best known for her role in the 1980s soap opera “Dynasty,” died Sunday at the age of 74, her agent said. The actress, who began her television career in the 1960s, became a household name for playing Cassandra “Caress” Morrell, sister to Joan Collins’ Alexis Colby, in “Dynasty.”

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    Visitors to the Museum of Science and Industry’s “National Geographic Presents: Earth Explorers” exhibit come face to face with an 11-foot-long sculpted shark.

    ‘You can be an explorer’ at MSI's new exhibit
    By Samantha Nelson
    National Geographic’s photographers have been journeying to the world’s most remote regions for more than a century to bring back incredible and inspiring pictures. Now you can learn about what goes into taking those photos at the traveling exhibit “National Geographic Presents: Earth Explorers,” which runs at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry through Sept. 1.

  •  
    Comedian Orny Adams performs at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg.

    Sunday picks: Last chance at laughs with Orny Adams
    By Scott C. Morgan and Laura Milbrath Stewart
    See why Orny Adams was prominently featured in Jerry Seinfeld's documentary “Comedian” when he continues performances this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase. See the popular children's book character Lyle the crocodile come to life onstage in the musical “Lyle Finds His Mother” at Lifeline Theatre in Chicago. This year's International Vintage Poster Fair carries the theme of Ideas and Innovation: A Century of Vintage Posters this weekend at the Chicago Cultural Center.

  •  
    Edward Arroyo lives in Ray Graham-sponsored housing, where he has learned basic skills and how to live with others.

    DuPage group helps those with special needs transform their lives
    By Thomas Mitchinson
    “Empowering people with disabilities” has been the mission of the Ray Graham Association since 1950. Serving nearly 2,000 children and adults in DuPage County, Ray Graham helps individuals in differing ways: residential, family support, employment and life skills.

  •  
    Mark Harris recently released “Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War.”

    ‘Five Came Back’ recalls day Hollywood went to war
    By Douglass K. Daniel, Associated Press
    In his engaging book “Five Came Back,” author Mark Harris follows the wartime experiences of a handful of movie directors to explore this unique intersection of entertainment and war. His compelling narrative is first-rate in all respects, a war story for film fans and a miniseries-like treatment of American history for those interested in World War II.

  •  
    Actress Eva Marie Saint attends the world premiere of “Winter’s Tale” in New York. The Oscar-winning actress of “On the Waterfront” and “North by Northwest” fame talks about her career in the TCM special airing Monday.

    Eva Marie Saint dishes on Hollywood in TCM special
    By Lynn Elber
    Eva Marie Saint has a perfect right to act like Hollywood royalty. She won an Oscar for her film debut in “On the Waterfront,” holding her ground against Marlon Brando in his prime. She was Cary Grant’s dangerously sexy squeeze in “North by Northwest,” conquered Paul Newman in “Exodus” and counts greats Alfred Hitchcock and Elia Kazan among her directors.

  •  
    Getting outside to run is great exercise.

    Consider running and all its benefits
    By Lenny Bernstein
    Want to lose weight, help your heart and even lower your risk of cancer? Consider running. But keep in mind that there are some nonnegotiables when you first hit the road: Start slow and finish strong, never run through pain, and invest in running shoes and replace them before they wear out.

  •  
    Lauren Cohan, left, plays Maggie Greene in AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” Cohan says being on the series for three seasons has changed her temperament after being immersed in dark material.

    Cohan says ‘Walking Dead’ changed her temperament
    By Lauri Neff, Associated Press
    Spending your days killing zombies apparently takes its toll. Actress Lauren Cohan said being on AMC’s “The Walking Dead” for three seasons has had an effect on her. “My temperament has changed since I’ve been on the show because of being immersed in this dark material all the time,” Cohan said. The show's season finale airs at 8 p.m. Sunday.

  •  
    The Loreto Bay National Marine Park in Loreto, Mexico, is a UNESCO World Heritage site made up of five islands accessible only by boat.

    Loreto: Quiet gem on Mexico's Baja Peninsula
    By Karen Schwartz, Associated Press
    Efforts to turn the seaside village of Loreto, Mexico, into a major destination have been going on for years. So far, though, the results have been limited, and that in itself makes it worth visiting. Loreto is already a gem — a historic town nestled between gold-hued mountains and the blue Sea of Cortez. It's known mainly to whale watchers (late winter), sport fishermen (year-round) and snowbirds who drive down from British Columbia, Canada. Two years ago, Mexico's tourism agency gave Loreto its “Magic Town” moniker, a label to promote places notable for natural beauty, cultural riches or historical relevance.

  •  

    What will be the next big trends in house building?
    By Katherine Salant
    Is America’s love affair with big houses finally over? Yes and no. In 2013, fewer big houses were built, but the average size for new homes continued to increase.

Discuss

  •  
    Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura (23) talks to relief pitcher Deunte Heath (54) in a spring exhibition baseball game against the Oakland Athletics earlier this month in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

    Editorial: Baseball and its glorious season of renewal
    The Daily Herald Editorial Board
    A Daily Herald editorial predicts a Cubs-White Sox World Series! Well, OK, not this year, but maybe at some point in our lifetimes. OK, maybe not. But at least baseball is here again. And with it, spring, the promise of sunshine and above all, the spirit of hope and optimism.

  •  

    Political skills for divine purposes
    By Michael Gerson
    Columnist Michael Gerson: When a pope meets a president — and the Vicar of Christ gets pulled into political coverage — trivialization ensues. As a reporter, I covered the St. Louis meeting between Pope John Paul II and President Bill Clinton in January 1999, not long after Clinton admitted to “inappropriate, intimate contact” with Monica Lewinsky. There was a frenzy of speculation that, well, what? That the pope would force Clinton to kneel in penance for three days in the snow, like Henry IV? That if they touched hands, it would cause spontaneous spiritual combustion?

  •  

    Your children’s eyes are on you, drivers
    An Elk Grove Village letter to the editor: I find it quite disappointing to see so many parents defying driving and parking laws when their children accompany them. Being a parent requires continually setting good examples for your children so they can distinguish right from wrong.

  •  

    Spring is time to renew good eating habits
    An Arlington Heights letter to the editor: After several months of crippling snowstorms, I really look forward to spring weather, green grass and flowers in bloom. The advent of spring is also a great opportunity to turn over a new leaf on our dietary and exercise habits.

  •  

    Training for college trustees essential
    A letter to the editor: It seems appropriate that trustees who devote 100 to 200 hours per year serving their community colleges should be reimbursed for appropriate expenses. Higher education in Illinois has more pressing challenges than trustee expenses if we are to continue to prepare increasing numbers of our citizens for successful careers.

  •  

    Earned retirement they were promised
    The Illinois General Assembly is currently considering a bill which would eliminate the “13th payment” from the IMRF retirement plan. Besides being in violation of the Illinois Constitution, this proposal is simply not right.The 13th payment is not a “bonus” as some, including the Daily Herald, have characterized it. The 13th payment is a cost-of-living adjustment that IMRF retirees receive instead of compounding COLAs like other retirement systems (even the disastrous state pensions) receive.This cost-of-living payment was negotiated between employer and employee groups and approved by the General Assembly in 1992. At that time, a compounding COLA was estimated to cost 1.1 percent of payroll. The 13th payment — only 0.62 percent.The workers/retirees in IMRF have already compromised and saved Illinois taxpayers almost 50 percent versus a compounding COLA. (Perhaps that is one reason IMRF is currently 96 percent funded.) Having been guaranteed certain benefits, by the employers and by the constitution, these retirees worked weekends, holidays, overnights, birthdays, and anniversaries. These are people like sheriff’s deputies, 911 operators, police evidence technicians and records clerks, snowplow drivers, highway workers. They did the job and earned the retirement they were promised. Now it is time for us to keep that promise.Tyler BenjaminWest Chicago

  •  

    (No heading)
    Training for college trustees essentialThank you for the opportunity to provide another perspective to your series of articles and the editorial concerning community college trustees’ expenses that have been reimbursed by their colleges. The seven trustees of each of 38 community college districts in Illinois are elected by the residents of their district to serve 6-year terms. Community colleges teach classes for almost 1 million people every year, 64 percent of our state’s higher education students. Effective post-high school education is increasingly essential for our citizens to qualify for good jobs; community colleges meet that need. Many, if not most, trustees do not come from higher education but have diverse backgrounds and careers. Learning how to become effective trustees is of paramount importance. The Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) and the American Community College Trustees Association (ACCT) provide conferences for trustees to learn how to more effectively guide their respective colleges. The Illinois Public Community College Act states: “Members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in connection with their service as members.” It seems appropriate that trustees who devote 100 to 200 hours per year serving their colleges should be reimbursed for appropriate expenses. Higher education in Illinois has more pressing challenges than trustee expenses if we are to continue to prepare increasing numbers of our citizens for successful careers. I have been a trustee at Kishwaukee College in Malta, just west of DeKalb, for nine years. I encourage other Illinois trustees to take advantage of all opportunities to learn how to better serve their students and communities. Bob JohnsonPresident ICCTARetirement benefits were earnedThe Illinois General Assembly is currently considering a bill which would eliminate the “13th payment” from the IMRF retirement plan. Besides being in violation of the Illinois Constitution, this proposal is simply not right.The 13th payment is not a “bonus” as some, including the Daily Herald, have characterized it. The 13th payment is a cost-of-living adjustment that IMRF retirees receive instead of compounding COLAs like other retirement systems (even the disastrous state pensions) receive.This cost-of-living payment was negotiated between employer and employee groups and approved by the General Assembly in 1992. At that time, a compounding COLA was estimated to cost 1.1 percent of payroll. The 13th payment — only 0.62 percent.The workers/retirees in IMRF have already compromised and saved Illinois taxpayers almost 50 percent versus a compounding COLA. (Perhaps that is one reason IMRF is currently 96 percent funded.) Having been guaranteed certain benefits, by the employers and by the constitution, these retirees worked weekends, holidays, overnights, birthdays, and anniversaries. These are people like sheriff’s deputies, 911 operators, police evidence technicians and records clerks, snowplow drivers, highway workers. They did the job and earned the retirement they were promised. Now it is time for us to keep that promise.Tyler BenjaminWest Chicago

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