Teen sent to boot camp for stabbing

A teen who pleaded guilty to aggravated battery was sentenced Wednesday to a four-month boot camp program through the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Michal Blonski, 18, stabbed Artur Kulik four to six times with a pocketknife after the two argued June 30 at a condo complex on the 1200 block of South New Wilke Road in Arlington Heights, authorities said.

The two had been drinking alcohol at a party before the fight, which broke out after Kulik made fun of Blonski's parents, authorities say.

Kulik spent four days in the hospital from injuries that included a liver laceration and a punctured lung. He's been unable to work while recuperating, said Assistant State's Attorney Michael Gerber, who recommended Blonski receive two years in prison.

Defense attorney Larry Dohman asked for probation, saying Blonski, of Franklin Park, had a clean record and that both youths were highly intoxicated at the time.

"This is a violent crime, and it's not an excuse to say you were drunk," Cook County Judge Thomas Fecarotta said.

Blonski entered into a blind plea, meaning he didn't know what punishment the judge would impose.

Fecarotta said he believed Blonski is truly sorry for his actions and doesn't think prison time is appropriate because of his age.

The boot camp program, which provides military-style discipline, physical and educational training, is highly regarded by judges, especially for youthful offenders.

Gerber said Blonski's time in boot camp will be followed by one year of "intensive parole."