Dawn Patrol: Gay marriage voting; trial starts in 2001 drowning
Gay marriage approved: How it happened
One lawmaker's heart-to-heart talk with his father, a retired minister. Another's reflections on his own mixed-race marriage, which once would have been illegal. Another's support for his mother-in-law, who is gay. Those factors swayed some suburban legislators to vote in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage yesterday, helping it gain approval in both the state House and Senate. Full story.
Opponents pledge to keep fighting same-sex marriage
Opponents warn of political and societal fallout from yesterday's votes backing same-sex in Illinois, but say it's unlikely lawsuits will be filed to try and overturn the measure once it becomes law. “There are definitely going to be ramifications. There are going to be (election) primaries because of this,” said Kathy Valente, director of operations at the Carol Stream-based Illinois Family Institute. “We're going to give the guys that voted in favor of it a pink slip. Send them home. They're not representing their districts.” Full story.
Trial begins in 2001 drowning of Hanover Park man
Testimony resumes today in the drowning of 28-year-old Flavio Venâncio of Hanover Park, whose death prosecutors say Jose Camacho, 45, caused after a car crash near the Schaumburg Metra station on May 24, 2001. Prosecutors said yesterday Camacho attacked Venâncio, stabbing him in the face and head with a pen and strangling him, and then dragged him to a nearby retention pond. The defense contends it will prove Camacho is innocent. Full story.
Grisly details of Antioch double murder
A 54-year-old man was ordered held without bail yesterday after Lake County prosecutors detailed the grisly slayings of his wife and mother in their Antioch apartment late last month. Judge Raymond Collins declared Billy Varner “a real and present threat to the people of Illinois.” Varner faces four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the killings, which authorities say began Oct. 26 when he slammed a machete into the side of his wife's head, then stabbed her repeatedly. Full story.
Long Grove man charged in fatal September DUI crash
A Long Grove man is being held on $500,000 bail on charges resulting from a September drunken driving crash that killed one woman and seriously injured another. Stephen E. Tomczyk, 22 of Long Grove, was charged on Monday with reckless homicide, two counts of aggravated DUI resulting in death and two counts of aggravated DUI resulting in great bodily harm, according to a release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Full story.
Weather
A soggy day as rain is expected to fall through the afternoon and into the evening. Temperatures will top out at 55 degrees this morning, before plunging throughout the day to a low of 31 degrees overnight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues on Rollins Road near IL Route 45 in Round Lake Beach. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction and people should prepare for delays. More traffic.
Imrem: A tale of two quarterbacks
An odd sensation is circulating through our town now that the Bears have two competent quarterbacks, Mike Imrem writes. McCutler has a melodic ring to it, doesn't it? There is injured starter Jay Cutler and revelation Josh McCown. At the risk of embarking on taboo territory, Mike's going to wonder out loud whether Cutler or McCown gives the Bears a better chance to beat Detroit on Sunday in a game for first place in the NFC North. Full story.
Cutler downplays reports he'll play Sunday
Jay Cutler dialed down optimistic reports that he would be back at quarterback for the Bears on Sunday against the Lions. Appearing on the “Waddle and Silvy Show” on ESPN Radio Tuesday, Cutler said: “I don't think we can say I'll be out there for the Detroit game.” Cutler implied that it would be foolish to rush back from the torn groin injury given how well Josh McCown has played as his replacement, leading a 27-20 Monday night victory over the Packers in Green Bay. Full story.