Dawn Patrol: BNSF Metra line back on track; Gurnee home invasion
BNSF trains back to normal today
Trains on Metra’s BNSF line are expected to be back on their normal schedule this morning, after yesterday’s cancellation of almost all afternoon trains on the line. A construction crane fell on tracks in Westmont at about 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, halting trains until around 4:45 p.m. Delays continued throughout the evening. Officials said there was no damage to the tracks. Full story.
Schools locked down after armed home invasion in Gurnee
Four Gurnee-area school and the Gurnee village hall were locked down Wednesday morning after an armed home invasion during which shots were fired, according to police. Three of the four suspects who invaded the home remained at large as of last night, while one suspect, a 16-year-old boy, was arrested and charged. Police said the suspects targeted the home for drugs and money. Full story.
Suzi Schmidt wants to modify order of protection
State Sen. Suzi Schmidt is asking a judge for permission to help care for an elderly neighbor, which would require the judge to modify an order of protection against her. If granted, the move would allow Schmidt, of Lake Villa Township, to be within 100 feet of a neighbor, who Schmidt is accused of stalking and harassing. Full story.
Judge chastises Peterson prosecutors again
The judge at former Bolingbrook police sergeant Drew Peterson’s murder trial scolded prosecutors again yesterday after a pathologist spoke about crawling into the bathtub where Kathleen Savio was found dead. “It does not appear that any orders I have given the state pays attention to,” said Judge Edward Burmila. A pathologist testified that the death could not have been an accident. Full story.
Arlington Heights library renovation OK’d
The Arlington Heights library is set to receive its largest interior renovation in decades. Construction will begin immediately, after the library board’s approval of a $2.8 million plan Tuesday. The work should be completed by mid-April 2013, according to library officials, and will include a marketplace, more small meeting rooms, a “living room” and a new conference room. Full story.
Protesters turn out for ‘Governor’s Day’ at state fair
A mass of protesters turned out for Gov. Pat Quinn’s big day at the Illinois State Fair yesterday. Booing, chanting union protesters drowned out some of his remarks, saying his hits on wages and retirement benefits betray the Democratic Party’s tradition of supporting labor. The protesters objected to Quinn’s cancellation of raises required under union contracts and job cuts due to prison and mental health facility closings. Quinn said taxpayers support his efforts to cut labor costs and get rid of the “pension piggy bank for retired state workers.” Full story.
Weather
Strong thunderstorms and rain is working its way east this morning, so people should keep their umbrellas handy. The storms are expected to hit sometime this morning, dropping the high temperatures. The high should hit 80 degrees before the storms hit. It’s 72 degrees right now, with a low overnight temperature reaching 58 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction comtinues on IL Route 173 between Deep Lake Road and IL Route 83 in Antioch. This is a pavement patching project that will be in place until October 31st. Lane blockages and reductions are possible. Flaggers are on hand to direct traffic through. Full story.
Adam Dunn hits 34th HR
Adam Dunn hit his major league-leading 34th home run, Dayan Viciedo and Dewayne Wise also connected and the White Sox beat the Blue Jays 9-5 last night. Full story.
Cubs beat Astros 7-2
David DeJesus hit two home runs, Justin Germano breezed through six innings and the Cubs beat the Houston Astros 7-2 to win the three-game series. Starlin Castro also homered among his three hits for Chicago, which won for just the third time in 15 games. Full story.
Boisterous the favorite in Arlington Million, but ...
The way Arlington Park racing secretary Chris Polzin sees it, the 30th running of the Arlington Million is as wide open as any of the previous editions held since 1981. Boisterous, who most recently was third in the Grade III Arlington Park Handicap, was tabbed as the lukewarm 4-1 favorite among the 11 contestants for the 1¼-mile turf event. John Leusch reports.