Dawn Patrol: Kirk to skip Republican convention
Kirk to skip Republican convention
As speculation about a contested Republican convention this summer continues, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says he won't be attending. "Senator Kirk has his own re-election to win, so he will be working hard toward that goal, not going to the Republican convention in Ohio," campaign manager Kevin Artl said yesterday. Full story.
Elgin church helps Afghan refugees
An Elgin church is helping a refugee family from Afghanistan start a new life in Chicago. Associate Pastor Lois A. Bucher and other members of First Congregational United Church of Christ greeted the family - mother, father and seven children ages 2 to 15 - at O'Hare International Airport yesterday afternoon and took them to their new home, an apartment in Chicago. Full story.
ABC 7's Magers to sign off May 25
ABC 7 anchor and reporter Ron Magers is set to retire next month after more than three decades as a broadcast journalist, the TV station reports. Magers, who anchors the station's 5 p.m. newscast with Cheryl Burton and 10 p.m. newscast with Kathy Brock, will work his last day May 25. Full story.
Elgin man killed in I-90 crash
The driver killed after a fatal crash early Thursday morning on I-90 at Barrington Road has been identified as a 78-year-old Elgin man. Illinois State Police say a gold Chevrolet minivan driven by James Perfors veered off to the left and struck the end of a tow truck preparing to tow a disabled vehicle from the construction zone between Roselle and Barrington roads. Full story.
Ex-Holy Family music director raising money for legal fund
The former music director at Holy Family Catholic Community in Inverness has started an online crowdfunding campaign to help fund his legal fight to overturn his 2014 firing for getting engaged to his male partner. Colin Collette, who worked at Holy Family for 17 years, has raised just over $1,100 on the crowdfunding site www.fundedjustice.com and hopes to raise a total of $150,000 for his legal representatives at the Palatine-based Lavelle Law Ltd. Full story.
Weather
Mostly clear and 43 degrees this morning. Temperatures will rise to 60 degrees this afternoon, before falling to 48 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Roundabout construction is scheduled to cause restrictions on Route 47 at Burlington Road in Campton Hills until the fall. Full traffic.
Cubs rolling with 8-1 record
It's fun coming to the ballpark every day just to see how Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon puts together his lineup, beat writer Bruce Miles says. For Thursday night's 8-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field, Maddon moved Kris Bryant from third base to left field, allowing Tommy La Stella to get a start at third. Full column.
Keith to return for Game 2 tonight
Defenseman Duncan Keith will return to the Blackhawks tonight for the first time since he cracked Minnesota's Charlie Coyle in the face with his stick on March 29. The Blackhawks trail the Blues 0-1 in their opening-round playoff series. Read beat writer John Dietz's take here.