Dawn Patrol: Biggert-Foster race to get big; Kentucky wins
Biggert-Foster race to see national spotlight
Illinois’ new 11th Congressional District will pit two people with experience in Congress against each other and is expected to bring in big money from the national parties. The Democratic National Campaign Committee selected Bill Foster as one of five Illinois candidates for its “Red-to-Blue” program, in an effort to win the district, which is considered crucial in the party’s hopes to regain the House. Judy Biggert’s campaign is already accusing Foster of echoing the national party’s talking points, in what is set to be a prominent national race. Full story.
Kentucky wins 8th national championship
The Kentucky Wildcats held off a late run by the Kansas Jayhawks to win its eighth national championship last night. The Wildcats finished the season 38-2 and led by as many as 18 points in the first half. Chicago native and national player of the year Anthony David had 6 points on 1-of-10 shooting but finished with 16 rebounds and had six blocks. The freshman tied the championship-game record for blocks. Full story.
Simon pushes for strip club tax
Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon was in Arlington Heights yesterday advocating for a bill that would tax strip club goers $5, which would fund services for sexual assault victims. The bill will be debated after Easter break. Simon said the main reason for the tax is to fund agencies that provide rape counseling but often see their budgets cut. The proposal is modeled on a Texas law that went to the state supreme court and was deemed constitutional. Full story.
Arlington Heights house fire kills dog
Investigators continue to probe the cause of an Arlington Heights house fire that killed a family’s dog last night. The blaze, which started in the kitchen of a house on the 700 block of N. Stratford Road, caused about $50,000 in damages and left the home uninhabitable. No one was home when the fire broke out, and a neighbor knocking on the front door of the home after seeing smoke called 911. Full story.
2 Elgin golf courses rise in top 10 rankings
Two of Elgin’s newest golf courses are now ranked in the top 10 public courses in Illinois, according to Golfweek magazine. The Highlands of Elgin rose to the 2nd spot, up from No. 4 in 2011, and Bowes Creek Country Club moved up one position to eighth best in the state out of more than 700 courses. The Highlands of Elgin, when opened after a redesign in 2010, was beat out by Cog Hill in Lemont for the No. 1 spot.
Veterans set for Honor Flight to D.C.
Ninety-five Chicago-area World War II veterans are preparing for a trip this week to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., thanks to Honor Flight Chicago, a group that has flown more than 80,000 veterans to the memorial since 2005. The free trip will include the Chicago chapter’s 3,000th veteran. “On this day, they’re the rock stars, they’re the heroes,” said Honor Flight Chicago President Mary Pettinato. Full story.
Local ‘Jeopardy!’ contestant wins on final question
An Elgin resident was in second place heading into yesterday’s Final Jeopardy and bet $11,000 of her $13,000. She will play again today, thanks to her correct question to the answer, “This Robert DeNiro film is known as ‘Il Cacciatore.’” The question? “What is ‘the Deer Hunter?’” Elisabeth Carrel, a former Daily Herald copy editor, will return at 3:30 p.m. today on ABC 7. Full story.
Weather
It’ll start out decent, but then a late cold snap and thunderstorm will cool things off quickly. Accuweather predicts it’ll be about 50 degrees when people step out the door this morning, then temps will rise to the mid-70s around noon, before thunderstorms and a cold wave moves in and temperatures plummet to about 40 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
There are no delays to report on the area roadways early this morning. However, the CTA has a delay on the Blue Line between Rosemont and O’Hare and are using shuttle buses to alleviate problems. There are also bridge installation delays in St. Charles over the Fox River on Red Gate Road between Route 31 and Route 25. The delay will last until June. Full story.
Bulls fall for second straight game, first time since February 2011
The Bulls’ 99-93 loss to the Houston Rockets last night was their third in the last six at the United Center, and second in two nights after a Sunday beating laid on the team by Oklahoma City. The Bulls hadn’t lost two in a row since Feb. 5 and 7 of last season, after a streak of 86 games. The Rockets, while missing their top scorers, pulled off a 41-14 run in the third quarter through the fourth, which turned around a 13-point deficit. Full story.