Dawn Patrol: St. Charles district headed for a referendum
St. Charles schools headed for fall tax referendum
A debate that proposed closing schools in St. Charles Unit District 303 to cut costs switched tracks Monday night in favor of a tax increase to keep schools open. School board members voted unanimously to table all discussion of school closures for now. Full story.
Ingleside-area death under investigation
Lake County authorities continue to investigate the death of a woman found in her home Monday afternoon in an unincorporated area near Ingleside. Officers responded to the home on West Wooster Lake Drive bout noon, said Christopher Covelli, the Lake County sheriff's public information officer. Full story.
Beach Park father and son charged after Schaumburg man's overdose
Two Beach Park men have been charged after they dumped off the body of a friend who overdosed Sunday, authorities said Monday. Lake County officers were called at 7:10 a.m. Sunday for a report of a person slumped over in a vehicle at North Wilson Avenue and West Edgewood Road in Beach Park, police said. Full story.
Drivers injured in Winchester Road crashes
Two people, including a Lake County sheriff's deputy, were injured Monday morning in two separate serious crashes on Winchester Road in Lake County. The first crash happened about 9 a.m. at the intersection of Route 83 and Winchester and involved a car and a semi, Grayslake Fire Batallion Chief Mike Rutkowski said. Full story.
Fire severely damages Macaroni Grill in Wheaton
A fire at Macaroni Grill in Wheaton Monday afternoon caused severe damage and one firefighter was injured after slipping on ice caused by water used to put the fire out, fire officials said. Full story.
Gas leak forces evacuation of Vernon Hills strip mall
Unsafe levels of natural gas caused a Vernon Hills strip mall to be evacuated Monday morning, firefighters said. Countryside Fire Protection District firefighters responded at 9:30 a.m. to a strip mall on the 200 block of Evergreen Drive for a natural gas leak, fire officials said. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and 14 degrees to start this morning. Temperatures will dip this afternoon to 13 degrees before reaching a low of 3 degrees over night tonight. Full weather.
Traffic
Road construction has closed Route 132 in both directions between Fairfield Road and Route 59 in Lake Villa until May 13th. Monaville road should be the detour. Full traffic.
Banged-up Wizards cruise past Bulls for 114-100 win
Despite the return of Joakim Noah, the Bulls were dominated from start to finish by a short-handed Washington Wizards squad 114-100 at the United Center. Read beat writer Mike McGraw's take here.
Alabama beats Clemson in national title game
No. 2 Alabama won its fourth national title in the last seven seasons, outlasting the dynamic play of Deshaun Watson and No. 1 Clemson in a 45-40 victory Monday night in the College Football Playoff championship game. Full story.