Dawn Patrol: Dist. 62 says board knew of five accusers
District 62 says board knew of five accusers
Des Plaines Elementary District 62 confirmed Thursday at least five female employees reported inappropriate interactions with ousted Superintendent Floyd Williams Jr., with some of the allegations coming within months of his starting the job last year. In a statement, board President Stephanie Duckmann said the school board spoke to Williams with the hope he would correct his behavior. Full story.
Assessors claim Lake County is unfairly taxing thousands
A lawsuit filed Thursday claims policies enacted by Lake County's appointed assessment supervisor are unfairly inflating property tax bills for thousands of residents. The suit filed by the Lake County Assessors Association and several residents argues Lake County Chief Assessment Officer Marty Paulson is ignoring annual revaluations by some township assessors and instead applying a blanket increase on all properties in a township. Full story.
Algonquin Twp. road bosses square off on spending, record destruction
Allegations of misused government funds and the potential destruction of public records are at the center of a bitter legal battle between current and former Algonquin Township Highway Department officials. Disneyland tickets, purses and women's clothing are among the personal items Highway Commissioner Andrew Gasser claims in a lawsuit were charged to the road district during the tenure of his predecessor, Bob Miller. Full story.
Dentist teaches cops basics of oral care for police dogs
Most cops clean their guns. These cops clean their gums. Their police dog's gums, that is. Roughly 30 area officers learned the basics of oral care for their working police dogs Thursday from veterinary dentist Stephen Juriga, who spoke to the group at the Aurora police headquarters. Full story and video.
Police to step up presence after another threat in Dist. 158
There will be an increased police presence at all Huntley Community School District 158 schools Friday after police discovered Thursday that a district student threatened to harm students at Marlowe Middle School in Lake in the Hills on Friday, officials said. Superintendent John Burkey wrote a letter to district parents Thursday saying police have discovered no evidence the threat is valid, and the extra police were requested out of an abundance of caution. Full story.
Illinois attorney general sues Downers Grove home improvement business
Attorney General Lisa Madigan is suing a Downers Grove-based home improvement business for misleading hundreds of residents into paying for home repair work they did not realize they had agreed to and may not have wanted. Residents of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and five other counties were affected by American dream Home Improvement Inc.'s scheme, according to a news release issued by Madigan's office Thursday. Full story.
Police seek suspect they say offered rides to kids near Des Plaines
Cook County sheriff's police said they are looking for a man who approached students at two bus stops and offered them rides in an unincorporated area near Des Plaines on Wednesday. A man riding a black bicycle approached a 13-year-old boy waiting at the school bus stop near Church Street and Bay Colony Drive at around 7:30 a.m., according to a Thursday evening news release from the sheriff's office. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and 36 degrees this morning. Highs in the upper 40s today, with showers possible starting this afternoon. Lows tonight around 43. Full weather.
Traffic
No major delays to report on the highways early. Work on the bridge over I-355 is scheduled to cause restrictions on Maple Avenue between Walnut Avenue and Elm Street. Full traffic.
White Sox acquire Vieira from Mariners to bolster bullpen
The Chicago White Sox on Thursday acquired minor league pitcher Thyago Vieira from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for international signing bonus pool money. A hard-throwing reliever, Vieira appeared in 1 game for the Mariners last season, pitching a perfect inning of relief in his major-league debut. The 24-year-old Brazil native combined to go 2-4 with a 4.00 ERA and 4 saves in 41 minor league appearances with Class AA Arkansas and AAA Tacoma. The right-hander had 46 strikeouts in 54 innings. Full story.