Dawn Patrol: Schaumburg police fallout; no school in Grayslake area
Schaumburg leaders says officers’ arrests shouldn’t taint entire force
What impact Wednesday’s arrest of three officers on multiple drug conspiracy charges, along with well-publicized stalking claims against Police Chief Brian Howerton, will have on the Schaumburg Police Department’s reputation remains to be seen. Howerton said he doesn’t believe the accusations against officers John Cichy, Terrance O’Brien and Matthew Hudak should reflect upon the good work being done by other members of the department. Full story.
Grayslake District 46 strike continues; talks resuming Sunday
Grayslake Elementary District 46 teachers will be on strike for a third day today in a contract dispute, with the next bargaining session set for Sunday. District 46 board members and Lake County Federation of Teachers union representatives, with assistance from a federal mediator, met for about five hours before the mediator ended the meeting. The Grayslake Park District is offering a “strike camp” with crafts, movies, games and more from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, and the Round Lake Area Park District made extra space available in its full-day child care program. Full story.
Judge admits girl’s dying words in murder
Jurors will hear the dying declaration of 18-year-old Conant High School senior Laura Engelhardt when the man charged with her murder goes on trial, a Cook County judge ruled yesterday. Defense attorneys for D’Andre Howard, charged with the 2009 slayings of Laura, her father Alan Engelhardt, 57, and her maternal grandmother Marlene Gacek, 73, argued Judge Ellen Mandletort should not allow a jury to hear statements Laura made to police officers who responded to an early-morning 911 call from the family’s Hoffman Estates home on April 17, 2009. Full story.
Metra gives 299 workers raises of up to 33 percent
Nearly a year after steep fare hikes took effect and a few weeks before additional ones are imposed, Metra leaders approved giving 299 employees raises from minimal amounts up to 33 percent, saying the move was long overdue.
The decision will cost the agency $1.4 million over three years, officials said at a meeting yesterday. Full story.
Developers scale back Naperville Water Street plans
The Water Street development proposed for downtown Naperville has shrunk again. At an open house last night, Naperville-based developer Marquette Cos. presented updated plans that call for shorter buildings and fewer parking spaces as part of the development, which is slated to include a hotel and a mix of retail, restaurant and office spaces. Not all residents were happy. Full story.
Serious crime in Elgin declines; car burglaries the next focus
Crime in Elgin is at a 40-year low for serious crimes, according to 2012 crime data released Thursday by the Elgin Police Department. Last year, there were only two homicides, compared to five in 2011, along with a 36 percent decrease in burglaries and a 24 percent decrease in rape and criminal sexual assault, Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said. This year, the department plans to focus on preventing theft and burglaries to vehicles, the two categories that had an increase last year. Full story.
Gresk: Wheaton moving toward long-term vision for downtown
Wheaton officials are working on a long-term vision for downtown even as some long-sought developments begin to change the face of the area, Mayor Michael Gresk said yesterday. Gresk touted the benefits of two projects that are expected to be completed in the fall during his annual State of the City address to the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce. Full story.
Weather
It will be about 20 degrees when you head out the door this morning, but high temperatures will climb to 40 degrees this afternoon before dipping back to the freezing mark tonight. Temperatures will skyrocket to 45 degrees tomorrow, so enjoy it. Full story.
Armstrong to Oprah: ‘I’m a flawed character’
He was light on the details and didn’t name names. He mused that he might not have been caught if not for his comeback in 2009. And he was certain his “fate was sealed” when longtime friend, training partner and trusted lieutenant George Hincapie was forced to give him up to anti-doping authorities. But right from the start, Lance Armstrong admitted he doped and was “flawed.” Full story.
Trestman says his players must really love football
New Bears head coach Marc Trestman inherits a roster of players, most of whom have played their entire professional careers for Lovie Smith. The defensive players have played in only one system — Smith’s Cover-2. So Trestman’s first job will be getting players to buy into his system and, more importantly, getting them to buy into him as their head coach. Full story.