Dawn Patrol: Hawks blown out; Madigan doesn't have income tax votes

Kings blow out Hawks 6-2

For nearly two full periods last night, you couldn't blame the Kings if they were thinking to themselves, "Well, here we go again." After all, they were trailing 2-0 to the defending champs, in a building in which no other team has won this postseason and a building where the Kings seemingly haven't won in forever. But a funny thing happened over the final minutes of that second period: the Blackhawks suddenly didn't seem so invincible. Full story.

Madigan says votes aren't there to keep 5 percent tax rate

With his count of only 34 out of 71 Democrats in the state House supporting an extension of the 2011 income tax hike, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan told lawmakers to start drawing up a pared-back budget that doesn't figure on the 5 percent income tax rate in 2015. Suburban Democrats aren't helping Madigan so far. Full story.

Arrests of protesters at McDonald's headquarters climbs

Another protest is planned today after nearly 140 people were arrested yesterday at the McDonald's Corp. headquarters in Oak Brook. As many as 1,500 people gathered there to protest for a $15-an-hour wage and the ability to form a union without retaliation, but they faced Oak Brook police in riot gear. The company's annual shareholders meeting is today. Full story.

Tollway tells Lake County to ante up for Route 53

A tollway advisory group discussing a $2.87 billion extension of Route 53 north to Route 120 into Lake County said Lake County will need to pay its "fair share" for all that it wants in the extension, but the group didn't project what that might be. Plans call for a four-lane, 45-mph parkway. Full story.

Elgin resident's call leads to burglary arrest

An alert Elgin resident who noticed a stranger in a friend's car called police, and that led to multiple burglary charges. The resident called police and gave a detailed description of the suspect just before midnight Tuesday. Police stopped the suspect a short time later and made the arrest. Full story.

Aurora boy seriously injured after being struck by car

An Aurora boy was seriously injured Wednesday morning when he was hit by a vehicle while riding his bicycle, police said. The 12-year-old boy was riding near the intersection of Frost Drive and South Eola Road at about 6:35 a.m. when he was struck by a 2009 Hyundai Accent. He was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Full story.

Weather

Mostly sunny with high temperatures reaching 69 degrees today. Temperatures will be about 59 degrees when you head out the door this morning. Full story.

Traffic

Construction continues on Route 31 and Rakow Road in Crystal Lake. People should expect heavy delays in that area and may want to seek alternate routes. Full traffic.

Two-car crash in Lincolnshire sends 4 to hospital

A two-vehicle crash in Lincolnshire Wednesday night sent four people to the hospital, fire officials said. The crash happened at about 7 p.m. at the intersection of Half Day Road and Barclay Boulevard, and it caused one vehicle to flip on its side. Full story.

St. Edward, Rosary graduations

East Leyden and Batavia high schools last night joined our collection of graduation picture galleries. Take a look, order reprints.