Dawn Patrol: Layoffs surprise U-46 union; Wauconda OKs 9/11 beam
U-46 teachers union president 'surprised' by high layoff numbers
The mood was somber yesterday as hundreds of Elgin Area School District U-46 teachers and employees were notified of their impending dismissal at the end of the school year. "I was surprised and disappointed by the large number," said Kathy Castle, president of the Elgin Teachers Association comprising nearly 2,500 members. It's unclear how many will be recalled starting April 24. Full story.
Wauconda allows World Trade Center beam in Sept. 11 memorial
A plan in to build a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks cleared a major hurdle last night in Wauconda. After a lengthy presentation and discussion, village trustees unanimously approved an agreement to display a 20-foot-long beam from one of the fallen World Trade Center buildings as the centerpiece of a circular memorial. About 50 showed up in the audience for the discussion. Full story.
Suburban mayors protest Rauner cuts, learn they might lose funding sooner
Suburban municipal leaders upset with Gov. Bruce Rauner's plan to cut their share of state income taxes now fear they'll lose the money even sooner, after about a dozen mayors and trustees met with Rauner yesterday in Springfield to explain their opposition to slashing their share of Local Government Distributive Funds in half. Full story.
Des Plaines aldermen postpone vote on funding Sayad's defense
Des Plaines aldermen have agreed to postpone a decision on whether the city should pay for Alderman Dick Sayad's defense in his criminal trespassing case. A "consideration of authorization to provide for the defense and indemnification" of Sayad, the city's 4th Ward alderman, was the last item on a lengthy city council agenda Monday night, but after some 4½ hours of debate and discussion on other topics, the aldermen agreed to table the matter. Full story.
Des Plaines zoning change could allow $1 billion development
Zoning changes that could allow a $1 billion development of offices, hotels, residential towers and retail spaces that some say could rival neighboring Rosemont have been approved for a 52-acre site in Des Plaines. Robert Kozonis' bold plans for his O'Hare Lake office complex at 2200 E. Devon Ave. calls for as many as four 10-story office towers, five 11-story residential towers around Lake Peterson, two 9-story hotel towers facing Devon Avenue, and four levels of retail below the hotels. Full story.
Woodridge man charged with hijacking, kidnapping woman and 2 kids
A Woodridge man in prison on an unrelated armed robbery charge has been charged with hijacking and kidnapping a woman and her two young children in April 2014. John A. Smith, 18, formerly of Woodridge, is charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular hijacking, one count of aggravated kidnapping and one count of armed robbery. Full story.
Lombard man gets 10 years for shooting ex-girlfriend's mother
A Lombard man was sentenced to 10 years in prison yesterday after pleading guilty to shooting his ex-girlfriend's mother in a 2013 argument about a debit card. Markeith Williams, 21, pleaded guilty to aggravated discharge of a firearm in exchange for prosecutors dropping several charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated discharge of a firearm. Full story.
Buffalo Grove park upgrades on hold after state suspends grants
Construction on a Buffalo Grove park renovation project scheduled to wrap up by May has been halted with the suspension of a state park grant that was earmarked for the project. The redevelopment of Willow Stream Park is one of 72 projects statewide that was awarded money from the Department of Natural Resources Managed Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program as recently as January. Full story.
Geneva may not use paintballs on coyotes after all
You won't find the word "paintball" any more in Geneva's new plan for dealing with coyotes. Language suggesting police or trained volunteers could shoot paintballs and copper balls to chase away the furry canids was removed from the final version of the coyote management plan the city council adopted. Full story.
Weather
Mostly clear and 31 degrees this morning. Temperatures will climb to 47 degrees this afternoon before dipping to 35 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Intersection work will cause restrictions in all directions at Bode and Barrington roads in Hoffman Estates until July. Full story.
Encouraging news on Bulls' injury front
The Bulls went back to selling hope yesterday. Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson participated in the full practice at the Advocate Center, according to coach Tom Thibodeau. Derrick Rose is making good progress in his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery. Full story.