Dawn Patrol: Elgin man dead in torched apartment; Kim Jong Il dead
Woman charged after Elgin man found murdered in torched apartment
A 28-year-old Elgin woman has been charged with the murder of James S. Granger of Elgin, who was found dead inside a burning apartment Saturday morning. Jessica Leach is due in bond court this morning, while a second suspect in the murder remains in police custody. Police have released few details because charges against the second suspect are pending. Police said the two suspects had planned to rob the man. Full story.
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il dead at 69
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has died of heart failure at the age of 69 and will likely be succeeded by his twenty-something son Kim Jong Un. North Korean state media reported the communist leader's death in a “special broadcast” last night. South Korea put its military on “high alert” after the news of Kim's death. Kim, whose life details were shrouded in secrecy, is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008. Full story.
Recovered addicts have trouble finding work in the suburbs
If a heroin addict can get clean -- and that's a big "if" -- then there are so many obstacles in front of them that prevent them from succeeding. "No one wants to hire an addict," as recovering heroin addict Justin Pearlman of St. Charles put it. He's had to prove himself at minimum wage jobs until his father agreed to hire him at his company, and he feels he's lucky to have the opportunity that most addicts don't get. Full story.
Rosemont read to add entertainment venues
It's going to be an exciting spring for Rosemont, according to its mayor, Bradley Stephens. That's when much of The Park at Rosemont - a 200,000-square -foot entertainment district - is expected to open west of River Road between Bryn Mawr Avenue and the newly-opened Balmoral Avenue off-ramp from the northbound Tri-State Tollway. Full story.
Rolling Meadows house fire causes $125,000 in damages
A Rolling Meadows resident has been forced from his home after a fire severely damaged the ranch-style house last night. “We couldn't see a whole lot,” said Batallion Chief Pete Till. “The whole house was filled with heavy black smoke. There was a lot of heat when we first opened the doors.” The cause of the blaze remained under investigation, but officials estimated the damage at $125,000. Full story.
Baseball Hall of Famer Mabel Holle inspired famed film ‘A League of Their Own'
Mabel Holle, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, died at 91 at her home in Lake Forest. Holle played 90 games in 1943 and 1944 for the Kenosha Comets and South Bend Blue Sox in the league that inspired the 1992 movie “A League of Their Own.” Full story.
Weather
Mostly cloudy but mild today with highs of about 45 degrees this morning A slight cold front will move through the area later this morning, forcing temperatures to remain in the mid 40s rather than rise. A mix of rain and snow will begin to fall overnight tonight. Full weather.
Traffic
Quiet morning so far on the area roadways with only minor fender benders to report throughout the system. Construction and widening of Walkup Road in Crystal Lake continues from just south of Route 176 to Burning Bush Trail. This will continue through November of 2012, officials report. Full traffic.
Bears' playoff hopes disintegrating, Knox out for season
Things went from bad to worse at Soldier Field Sunday as the Jay Cutler-less Bears extended their losing streak to four games and lost leading receiver Johnny Knox to a back injury. Caleb Hanie threw three interceptions in the 38-14 loss to a mediocre Seattle Seahawks team. “This is not our team,” linebacker Brian Urlacher said. “This is not how we're supposed to play. This is not how we should play.” The Bears had a lead at the half, but were outscored 31-0 in the second half. Full story.
Joel Quenneville wins 600th career game
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville became just the 10th coach in NHL history to reach 600 career victories last night as the Hawks continued their hot streak with a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames. Quenneville got to 600 wins in 1,114 games, the second fastest ever behind Scotty Bowman, now the Hawks' senior adviser. “There have been some good teams in some great organizations and some great players and coaches to be around,” Quenneville said. “I've been fortunate in a lot of ways and I'm in a great spot right here.” Full story.
Seabrook suffers head injury in Hawks victory
Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook left Sunday's game after a blow to the head when he was driven into the glass from behind by former Blackhawk Rene Bourque. The team did not say whether Seabrook suffered a concussion, but he has had three in his career. Coach Joel Quenneville was optimistic about the injury, saying he hopes Seabrook will make the trip to Pittsburgh for Tuesday's game against the Penguins. Full story.