Dawn Patrol: Chicago teachers strike goes on; mayor seeks injunction
Rahm Emanuel seeks legal action to end strike
Chicago teachers decided not to vote on a tentative contract offer yesterday and will continue their strike today, keeping 350,000 students out of class until at least Wednesday. Mayor Rahm Emanuel once again called the decision “a strike of choice” and instructed city attorneys to seek a court order that would force teachers back into classrooms. Teachers said they did not have enough time to review a summary of a proposed settlement to vote on Sunday. Full story.
Warrenville fire that injured man remains under investigation
Warrenville fire officials continue to investigate a weekend blaze that seriously injured a 33-year-old man and destroyed the two-story home. Officials said the investigation into what caused the fire remained under investigation last night, and investigators were having difficulty pinpointing the cause because of the amount of destruction. Full story.
Longtime Wheaton educator Mrs. Westlake made her mark
Helen Gum Westlake spent her elementary school years in a one-room country schoolhouse near Elburn, always the lone student of her class and usually left to fend for herself. By her second retirement — the first just didn’t stick — the Wheaton woman had helped shape thousands of young minds across the country. Westlake, who worked as an educator for more than 50 years, died surrounded by her family yesterday, at age 84. Full story.
Thousands celebrate Hispanic heritage at Aurora’s Fiestas Patrias
Aurora’s Fiestas Patrias, which started three years ago as a celebration of Mexican independence, concluded yesterday with a parade and a salute to Hispanic veterans. Tony Martinez, chairman of the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board, said the festival drew roughly 12,000 to 15,000 people from throughout the region. “It’s the largest Latino festival in the Western suburbs.” Full story.
Round Lake Dist. 116 health plan drawing objections
Round Lake Area Unit District 116’s plan to start a school-based health clinic is drawing opposition from an organization opposed to abortion, which says the proposal would allow students to obtain birth control pills or abortion referrals without their parents’ knowledge on school property. Proponents of the clinic say the services would be decided by district residents, and forums are planned to discuss the issues. The health center would offer services such as vaccinations and physicals based on students’ ability to pay. Full story.
Kaneland, Batavia schools must offer school choice because of scores
Because Kaneland John Stewart Elementary School didn’t meet test score requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, students will have the option of attending another school. Officials are expected to announce what schools children from Stewart may attend by the end of the month. Rotolo Middle School in Batavia also failed to meet the requirements and parents have been notified they are entitled to school choice as well. Full story.
Weather
Cool and clear to start the day with a high temperature of only 55 degrees. The rain is expected to move in at some point this afternoon, after temperatures top out at 78 degrees. The cool from will move in with the storm, dropping temperatures to 49 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Bridge replacement continues in St. Charles on Burr Road Bolcum Road and Silver Glen Road. Full story.
White Sox sweep Twins, face Tigers for last time today
The White Sox completed their sweep over the Minnesota Twins yesterday on the backs of Dayan Viciedo and Adam Dunn, extending their first-place lead over Detroit to 2 games. Dunn and Viciedo both homered in the team’s 9-2 win, which included a 6-run sixth inning. The Tigers will be in town today to play a makeup game. The matchup will be the last time the two teams meet this season. Full story.
Sunday a day of firsts for Cub’s Anthony Rizzo
First baseman Anthony Rizzo had another day of firsts Sunday in the Cubs’ come-from-behind 13-9 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. He hit a pair of homers, a 2-run blast to deep left-center in the Cubs’ 4-run fifth inning that helped them begin to erase a 6-1 deficit and make it 6-5. Then, a grand slam in the sixth was the capper of a 5-run inning as the Cubs went ahead after trailing 9-5. It was Rizzo’s first grand slam and multihomer game of his big-league career and his first 6-RBI day. Full story.