Dawn Patrol: Top GOP donor retracts comments on Kirk; Lake County Fair opens today
Top GOP donor backs off comments asking Kirk to leave Senate race
After saying that U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk should resign from his re-election bid, a top GOP donor retracted his statement. Ron Gidwitz said Kirk, with his verbal slip-ups, could "cause collateral damage" for other GOP candidates but later took back his comment, Crain's Chicago Business reported Tuesday. National Republicans say they'll stand behind Kirk. Full story.
Lake County Fair set to open today
With a theme of Summer's Best Fest, the Lake County Fair opens today and runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Grayslake. The fair will highlight everything residents love about summer with two rodeos, carnival rides and musical entertainment among other attractions. Full story.
Wheaton College to stop student health coverage
After Friday, students at Wheaton College will no longer have the option of receiving health care coverage through the school. The college announced earlier this month that they would put an end to student insurance plans to avoid providing contraception options for those covered under their plan. Wheaton College says methods of contraception consist of "morally objectionable products." Full story.
Communications manager keeps job in Pingree Grove
The communications manager in Pingree Grove held onto her job after the village board - which was poised to fire her - decided instead to implement a performance plan for her. Full story.
Jail releases more footage of Sandra Bland
Video footage of Sandra Bland during her three days in a Texas jail were released by Texas authorities Tuesday. The footage was released to dispel myths that the Naperville woman was dead when she arrived at the Waller County jail, Texas authorities said. The videos, which have no audio, show Bland arriving at the jail, being questioned and making phone calls, among other things. Bland was found dead in the jail July 13. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and 76 degrees to start the day. A morning thunderstorm is possible as temperatures climb to 86 degrees. temperatures will drop to 67 overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Resurfacing work on Hintz Road between Milwaukee Avenue and Elmhurst Road is causing delays from Prospect Heights to Wheeling. People should seek alternate routes. Full traffic.
Cubs calmly wait out trade talk
The nonwaiver trading deadline is fast upon us - it officially arrives at 3 p.m. Friday - and the Cubs are looking for all the pitching help they can find, as well as a bat. As for the players being bothered or distracted by trade rumors, veteran catcher David Ross said it goes with the territory this time of year. Read more from Cubs beat writer Bruce Miles here.
Patience finally paying off for Sox
After pounding the Red Sox on Tuesday night while moving past the Detroit Tigers into sole possession of third place in the AL Central, the White Sox have won six in a row and are the hottest team in the league. Read more from Sox beat writer Scot Gregor here.