Dawn Patrol: 5 suburbanites among 12 patients in chain of kidney transplants
Suburban residents benefit from 'kidney chain'
Palatine resident Steven Zachar says he was "in the right place at the right time" to be one of six people who received kidney donations from six healthy donors in a remarkable sequence of surgeries. The 12 procedures were performed late last week at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago - four a day for three days, starting Feb. 21. Full story
One killed in 7-vehicle crash on I-290
A seven-vehicle crash that killed one person on inbound I-290 near Elmhurst yesterday had all eastbound lanes of the busy Eisenhower Expressway closed all night at St. Charles Road. Video shows the crash centered around two semitrailer trucks. The cab of one was on fire. Full story
Dist. 34 bus driver's fate still in limbo
The fate of a bus driver for Antioch Elementary District 34 will remain in limbo a little longer after district officials did not make a final decision on whether to fire him following an incident involving a student who had a replica grenade on his bus. Officials debated whether to fire Kevin Garfinkle at a closed-door meeting that lasted more than three hours. Full story
Palatine Township shutdown averted as budget passes
A threatened shutdown of most Palatine Township operations was averted last night when board members passed a 2018-19 budget. Services including senior and disabled bus transportation had been at risk. Full story
3 kidnapping, torture suspects plead guilty
Three of five people charged in the kidnapping and cigarette torture of a teen in Elgin in February 2016 have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty in Kane County court. Full story
Garage fire in North Barrington causes $100,000 in damage
Firefighters from Lake Zurich first responded to the 400 block of Brook Forest Lane in North Barrington around 3:15 p.m. after a resident had returned home to find a fire in the garage. No injuries were reported. Full story
Weather
Cloudy and 31 degrees this morning. Temperatures will reach a high of 43 degrees this afternoon, before falling to 31 degrees overnight. Full story.
Traffic
No major delays to report early. Due to its deterioration, the Rockland Road bridge over the Des Plaines River near Libertyville remains closed until further notice. Emergency repairs are planned, and traffic is detoured via Route 176. Full story.
Bill limiting tackle football moves to Illinois House
Illinois children could not play tackle football until age 12 under a plan a House committee endorsed Thursday after hearing personal tales of head trauma and its link to the brain disease known as CTE. Full story
Leaner Schwarber weighs in on his focus to produce for Cubs
There's a certain charm, even a naiveté, to Kyle Schwarber that's hard to resist. Around Cubs spring-training camp in the early going, Schwarber has looked to be the most eager to get going. Full story