Dawn Patrol: Strong winds, hail today; father of abandoned toddler in custody

Strong winds, hail may threaten suburbs today

Storms have already come through by now, but the National Weather Service is forecasting an elevated chance of severe weather in the suburbs, including strong winds and possible tornadoes, from midafternoon to the early evening today. While there's an increased threat of tornadoes or damaging winds in excess of 58 mph, the risk is even higher of hail larger than an inch in diameter, according to the agency's Romeoville office. Full story.

Father in custody; 3-year-old found wandering alone called 'exceptionally lucky'

The father of a 3-year-old girl found wandering alone Tuesday night near a forest preserve in Prospect Heights is in custody today as police investigate child abandonment allegations. The Cook County sheriff's office expects criminal charges to be filed against the Lake County man, said sheriff's spokeswoman Cara Smith. Full story.

Split vote gives Mt. Prospect manager $200,000 to leave

Mount Prospect will pay outgoing Village Administrator Michael Janonis his salary until mid-September, as well as an additional lump sum payment and other compensation that together could total more than $200,000, under a separation agreement the village board approved last night. The vote at village hall was close, 3-2 in favor of the separation agreement. Full story.

Aurora cousins plead not guilty to terrorism charges

Two Aurora cousins pleaded not guilty yesterday to allegations they attempted to provide support to and join Islamic State militants while plotting an attack on a Joliet military base. Hasan Edmonds, 22, and Jonas Edmonds, 29, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila M. Finnegan in federal court in downtown Chicago, where they formally denied charges that could land them 15 years in prison if convicted. Full story.

Buffalo Grove police dog Saxon dies from cancer

Buffalo Grove police canine Saxon, who retired from the force last week after being diagnosed with cancer, died Monday, the police department said yesterday. Deputy Chief Roy Bethge said a veterinarian ended Saxon's suffering Monday. The 5-year-old German shepherd underwent surgery last month to remove his spleen, where a tumor had grown and ruptured. Full story.

Glen Ellyn man who died after fall looked forward to Rome trip, dad says

Andrew Mogni was so looking forward to spending his semester studying abroad in Rome, his parents said, he took Italian language classes for more than a year so he could get the most out of the experience. The 20-year-old from Glen Ellyn died Sunday, almost three months after suffering serious injuries in a suspicious fall. Andrew's father, Ben Mogni, said police in the Trastevere district of Rome are continuing to investigate. Full story.

Naperville elects most women at once to city council

Naperville's new-look city council will have more women serving at once than at any time since the municipality was incorporated in 1857, according to historical records from Naper Settlement. Voters on Tuesday elected four women to the eight-member council - Patty Gustin, Rebecca Boyd-Obarski, Becky Anderson and Judith Brodhead. Full story.

Election results 'a disaster,' Elging conservatives say

Fiscal conservatives in Elgin took stock yesterday after their poor showing at the polls.

Chuck Keysor, chairman of the conservative group Elgin OCTAVE, said he was at a loss as to what happened. "Last night was a rout," he said. "It was a disaster." Full story.

Weather

Cloudy, rain and thunderstorms all day. Temperatures are only 47 degrees this morning, but rising to 69 degrees this afternoon. Temperatures will dip to 43 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.

Traffic

Resurfacing work will cause restrictions on Route 31 between Main Street and Elizabeth Place until June in Batavia. Full story.

Cubs relieve restroom pressure

With a Wednesday afternoon crowd announced at 26,814, there was much less pressure on the Wrigley Field restroom facilities. Even so, the Cubs said they were ready after Sunday's opening night fiasco, when fans waited in long lines after two upper-deck restrooms went down with malfunctions. Full story.

White Sox fight back but still fall to Royals

The Royals beat the White Sox last night for the second straight game to start the season, 7-5. Lorenzo Cain decided the outcome when he crushed a 2-run homer off Zach Putnam in the eighth inning. Full story.