Dawn Patrol: How Gliniewicz's lie was exposed; search on for Elgin bank robber
How investigators determined Gliniewicz killed himself
In the beginning, it was the unthinkable. So implausible, in fact, that it would be weeks before the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force even began seriously considering the possibility that respected Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz - whom everyone called "G.I. Joe" - had taken his own life. Full story.
The text, Facebook messages police say implicate Gliniewicz
Authorities say Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz wrote text messages and Facebook messages implicating himself and others. The messages, which police said were deleted by Gliniewicz and recovered by the FBI, were released by authorities Wednesday with some recipients listed only as Individual #1 and Individual #2. George Filenko, commander of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, said Wednesday the evidence "strongly indicates criminal activity on the part of at least two other individuals." Full story and transcript.
Report: Gliniewicz's wife, son under investigation
ABC 7 Chicago reported that Lt. Joe Gliniewicz's wife, Melodie, and son D.J. are under investigation in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Fox Lake Police Explorer Program. Lake County investigators have not confirmed the information. Full story.
Motorola reward going to Explorers
Officials at Motorola Solutions, which pledged $50,000 in reward money to help solve the murder of Fox Lake police Lt. Joseph Gliniewicz, said Wednesday money will be given instead to Fox Lake Police Explorer Post 300. At the same time, the 100 Club of Chicago is asking for the Gliniewicz family to return $15,000 the club gave them within a day of his death. Full story.
Search on for Elgin bank robber
Elgin police are working with the FBI to track down a man who robbed an Elgin bank Wednesday afternoon before fleeing on foot. Cmdr. Dan O'Shea said no one was injured in the robbery, which happened about 3:40 p.m. at the Fifth Third bank at 525 Waverly Dr. in the Cobblers Crossing Shopping Center. Full story.
Study cites continued discrimination in tollway contracts
Since raising tolls in 2012 to fund a $12 billion capital program, the Illinois tollway has touted its job-creating prowess and inclusion of minorities in the resulting road building contracts. But a study commissioned by the agency finds "extensive evidence that discrimination on the basis of race and gender continues to operate in the tollway's construction and construction-related markets."
Leaders call for more action on Heroin Abuse Awareness Day
You don't take heroin. Heroin takes you. It's just one of many messages officials familiar with the drug said they wanted to convey to the public during a news conference Wednesday at the Robert Crown Center for Health Education in Hinsdale to mark the state's first Heroin Abuse Awareness Day. Full story.
Carrie Underwood ticket presale opens this morning
Carrie Underwood fans, take note: Ticketmaster is holding a ticket presale from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today for the seven-time Grammy winner's May 17 concert at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. The May performance will be Underwood's first Chicago-area stop on her new tour. Click here for the link and the password to the pre-sale.
Weather
Cloudy and 59 degrees to start the morning. Temperatures will climb to 70 degrees this afternoon before dipping back to 50 degrees tonight. Rain is expected to roll in this evening. Full story.
Traffic
Work is scheduled to close Grand Avenue between Fairfield Road and Route 59 in Lake Villa until Friday, May 13th. Full story.
5 early goals not enough for Blackhawks
Five Blackhawks goals in under 16 minutes. That's what 21,676 fans at the United Center were treated to in the first period Wednesday night against St. Louis. The Hawks had "Chelsea Dagger" on repeat and kept a sea of red-clad fans on their feet, stomping and shouting with joy. Those who thought they were seeing an easy victory, though, were sadly mistaken as St. Louis answered with 3 second-period goals to tie things up at 5-5 before winning it in overtime. Read beat writer John Dietz's take here.