Dawn Patrol: Cook of the Week Challenge winner crowned; Dist. 211 policy ruled 'discriminatory'
Carpentersville man wins Cook of the Week Challenge
Bill Hicks, who joked that his goal was "to incorporate butter, cream and bacon" into his dish, won the Daily Herald's fifth annual Cook of the Week Challenge Monday night at the Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca. "I knew the taste was good, but I wasn't confident about the presentation. I think taste is what matters most," said Hicks, 70, of Carpentersville, who beat three other finalists and took home prizes that included a new Bosch dishwasher and dinner for six. Full story.
Feds find Dist. 211 transgender policy discriminatory
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has found Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 to be in violation of the anti-discriminatory Title IX law by denying a transgender student who identifies as female unrestricted access to a girls' locker room. Full story.
Hoffman Estates man convicted of sex assault
A Hoffman Estates man was convicted Monday of sexually assaulting a woman earlier this year. Ronald F. Smith, 40, served as his own attorney during the trial, which concluded with a guilty verdict after two days of jury deliberations. Smith was convicted of two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Full story.
5th DUI charge for Pingree Grove man
A Pingree Grove man faces his fifth charge of DUI after he harassed three girls and bumped into at least two cars, police said. Brodie J. Murch, 39, of the 700 block of Bristol Street, has been charged with felony DUI, aggravated DUI, driving while license revoked, DUI and resisting arrest, according to police and Kane County court records. Full story.
Burglars target Roselle-area woman with ruse
The Cook County sheriff's office on Monday warned residents to be alert after a ruse burglary occurred in the Roselle area. A man posing as a landscaper led a resident into her backyard, and when she went back into the house, she discovered a safe and other items had been stolen. Full story.
Rail crossing in Antioch closed for repairs
Drivers who travel on North Avenue in Antioch are being asked to use an alternative route this week, as the railroad crossing near Main Street is closed for emergency repairs. Full story.
No injuries in blaze at Wheeling laundry
Firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire that started in a Wheeling health care laundry business Monday evening. Crews responded around 6:50 p.m. to a report of a fire at 45 W. Hintz Road. Full story.
Unattended stove causes kitchen fire
An unattended stove caused a small kitchen fire Monday night in an unincorporated area near Arlington Heights, officials said. "It was unattended cooking," said Deputy Fire Chief Marc Small of the Long Grove Fire Protection District. "They were cooking something, they forgot to turn the stove off and then they left the apartment." Full story.
Weather
Sunny with a high of 69 degrees this afternoon. Temperatures will be about 50 degrees when you head out this morning. Lows tonight should be in the mid 50s. Full weather.
Traffic
Resurfacing work will cause restrictions on Hintz Road between Milwaukee Avenue and Elmhurst Road from Prospect Heights to Wheeling. Full story.
Blackhawks get a much-needed win
The Blackhawks, who defeated the Kings 4-2 at the United Center on Monday, are off to a 7-5-0 start and sitting in sixth place in the Central Division. Patrick Kane rescued the Hawks when he sniped a shot past Kings goalie Jonathan Quick 82 seconds into the third period to tie the game at 2-2, then fed Teuvo Teravainen with 10:58 to go for the game-winner. Read beat writer John Dietz's take here.