Dawn Patrol: Obama vs. Romney round 2, ID for I-90 crash victim
Breaking News
North Shore Elementary District 112 officials have tweeted “good news” after a 17 hour negotiation session. The teachers union said details would come, but early speculation is that a new teachers contract has been agreed too this morning, thus ending the strike. More to come.
Recapping Obama vs. Romney round two
With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, the presidential candidates met again to debate the issues — this time, in a town hall style debate. President Barack Obama ripped into Mitt Romney’s economic proposals, accusing his rival of favoring a “one-point plan” to help the rich at the expense of the middle class. The Republican protested the charge was way off the mark. The candidates often interrupted one another, speaking over each other to the point that neither could be understood. Full story.
Duckworth tries to tie Walsh to SuperPAC; Walsh files FEC complaint against Duckworth
In the latest election news from the hotly contested 8th Congressional District race, Democrat Tammy Duckworth this week has been attempting to tie her opponent, Republican Joe Walsh, to a SuperPAC that’s supporting his re-election bid. Meanwhile, Walsh is attacking Duckworth for being several hours late in filing her complete third-quarter campaign finance report, and he’s filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission. Full story.
Interstate 90 crash victim identified as Long Grove man
Authorities late Tuesday identified the victim who died in a multi-vehcile crash on Interstate 90 earlier in the day. Michael Raymond, 60, of Long Grove, was traveling east on the expressway Tuesday morning when his car was struck from behind by a box truck. Raymond was pronounced dead soon after at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village. Full story.
Catalytic converter thefts on the rise
Police in the Northwest suburbs are reporting an increase in the number of thefts of catalytic converters from cars — a crime that’s especially prevalent in parking garages. The catalytic converters contain small amounts of precious metals that can be sold to a recycler for up to $250, and a thief can cut off or unbolt a converter in less than two minutes, police said. “This is a trend going on nationwide and we’re experiencing it here as well,” said Arlington Heights Police Commander Mike Hernandez. Full story.
Strike could be coming in Grayslake Elementary District 46
Another teachers strike in the Chicago area could happen soon, following yesterday’s vote by teachers in Grayslake Elementary District 46 authorizing union leaders to call a strike as a result of stalled contract negotiations. The vote to strike was 317-3, though a union official said they still intend to negotiate and not strike. Notice of the teachers’ vote must be served to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, after which the instructors will have to wait 10 calendar days to walk out. Full story.
Carol Stream taxpayers paying twice for the same rec center?
Some members of the Glenbard High School District 87 board are questioning whether some taxpayers in Carol Stream would effectively be paying for the park district’s new recreation center twice. That’s if the school board decides to approve an agreement with the park district, giving the district $350,000 in exchange for use of the facility’s new eight-lane, 25-yard swimming pool by Glenbard North physical education swimming classes and the Glenbard North/East swimming team. “It feels like they’re getting frosting on the cake from the bond issue,” said school board member Mary Ozog. “If they’re looking for another $350,000 from us on top of what they already issued ... it’s already tax dollars paying for the project.” Full story.
McHenry County voters could appoint so-called ‘czar’
Voters in McHenry County will soon be deciding whether they want a county executive form of government, in which the person in that elected position would run the day-to-day operations of the county, have the authority to hire and fire staff, and the power to veto decisions by the county board. McHenry County Board members, though, have been vocal in their opposition to such a position. “The powers that the county executives have under the state of Illinois, it’s a ton of power. The word ‘czar’ has been used (to describe it). You would be putting one person in charge for four years,” said County Board Chairman Ken Koehler. If voters endorse the idea on Nov. 6, they would get to elect a county executive beginning with the 2014 primaries. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy but warm with a high of 63 degrees this morning. Rain will roll in this afternoon after temperatures reach 71 degrees. Temperatures will dial back to 54 degrees tonight with rain. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues in Warrenville at Batavia Road north of Butterfield Road. The roadway has been closed for widening through Nov. 2. Traffic is detoured on Illinois Route 59. Full story.
Detroit one win away from pennant
The Detroit Tigers are looking for a sweep of the New York Yankees tonight that would earn them a trip to the World Series, after taking a 3-0 lead in the AL championship series Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory. Justin Verlander took a shutout into the ninth inning, allowing only a pair of singles by Ichiro Suzuki and a leadoff homer by Eduardo Nunez in the ninth. Max Scherzer starts on the mound for Detroit Wednesday against Yankees ace CC Sabathia. Full story.