Dawn Patrol: Huge Elk Grove TIF district vote; Cemetery damaged
Elk Grove to vote on massive TIF district today
Elk Grove trustees will vote tonight whether to create a special taxing district that could generate nearly $900 million to help pay for redevelopment projects in the village's sprawling business park. Proponents say the projects are needed to rehab the aging industrial park where property values are declining. Full story.
Drunken driver damages Batavia cemetery
For the second time in the last few years, a drunken driver has damaged Batavia's West Side Cemetery off Route 31. Algin Sanders, 29, of Batavia was charged with DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident after his car crashed into three headstones and damaged two trees, possibly planted as memorials. Full story.
5 injured in head-on crash in Aurora
A woman and three children were injured last night when a vehicle struck them head-on, injuring the other driver as well and closing the Illinois Avenue Bridge in Aurora, police said. Full story.
GOP governor hopefuls in the final push
With a week to go before the primary, the GOP candidates for governor are on the road making their final pitches to voters throughout Illinois in person as TV spots compete on the airwaves. While the election has consumed the political world, many of the average voters aren't quite as up to speed. Full story.
Wauconda police honor fallen officer
A memorial bunting was hung yesterday over the front door of the Wauconda police station in honor of officer Eric Schultz, who died Sunday after a long battle with cancer. Schultz, 30, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in November 2007. Full story.
Mount Prospect family files racial harassment lawsuit against neighbor
A Mount Prospect family says they've been repeatedly targeted for racially motivated harassment from their neighbor since moving to the neighborhood five years ago. A lawyer for Iris Howe says the family has had countless racial slurs yelled at them, in addition to aggressive actions toward them in an attempt to drive them from the neighborhood. Full story.
Bolingbrook man charged in shooting
A Bolingbrook man faces multiple weapons charges after shooting at and injuring the passenger of another moving vehicle. The shooting happened at about 9 a.m. Sunday after an altercation in the 300 block of South Schmidt. The victim was shot in the leg. Full story.
Weather
Don't check into spring just yet as winter temperatures will be back for the next two days. It should be about 39 degrees when you head out the door this morning, and temperatures will reach 43 degrees later before dropping this afternoon to 20 this evening. Snow moves in late when temperatures reach 20 degrees. Complete forecast.
Traffic
Construction continues on IL Route 58 at South New Wilke Road near Mount Prospect. Please expect delays. Full story.
Bulls' Noah comes into his own
A month is a game-changer for Bulls center Joakim Noah, who has gone from a decent player to a team leader being talked about in an MVP way. Rather than rolling over on the season, Noah has stepped up, thrived under the pressure and played better with each passing game. Full story.