DuPage County in 60 seconds
Dugan lawyers probe DNA
DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis will rule Aug. 4 whether the two forensic science labs that analyzed the DNA evidence in the prosecution of Brian J. Dugan must turn over more internal reports to the defense. The 51-year-old former Aurora man may face the death penalty if he is convicted of killing 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville on Feb. 25, 1983. His trial is set for Jan. 20. Prosecutors allege they have DNA evidence - semen and a hair - linking Dugan to the crime. Prosecutors said they turned over 5,000 pages of related lab materials to the defense. But, in a Thursday pretrial hearing, Dugan's attorneys said they also want to review validation studies, audit reports and any error logs that may exist from the out-of-state labs as they prepare for possible challenges to try to keep the DNA evidence out of trial. Dugan is serving life prison terms for two other murders.
Bridge work set in Naperville
Work to replace the Ogden Avenue bridge over the west branch of the DuPage River in Naperville is scheduled to begin Monday, officials said. The project had been slated to start this week, but was stalled by a delay in the delivery of beams being fabricated for the work. Ogden will remain open during the project but will be reduced at the bridge to one lane in each direction. Drivers should expect delays and are being urged to consider alternate routes, city officials said. The Illinois Department of Transportation determined the existing bridge needs to be replaced to address structural deficiencies. For details, visit the city's Web site at www.naperville.il.us/ogdenbridge.aspx.
Meth lab plea
The co-defendant of a Bensenville man accused of operating a methamphetamine operation in his home received two years' probation Thursday after he pleaded guilty to felony drug possession charges. Eric Oliver, 23, who did not have a prior criminal history, must undergo drug counseling during his probation period. Similar charges against the other man, Lawrence Schoenbeck, 60, still are pending. Police arrested the men in January after investigating a tip of illegal drug activity in Schoenbeck's house in the 4N400 block of Ridgeland in Bensenville. The operation allegedly took raw methamphetamine, a powdery substance, and refined it into crystal meth, a form of the drug that is in higher demand. Police seized more than 200 grams of the substance, worth about $40,000 on the street, as well as a car, cash and drug paraphernalia. DuPage Circuit Judge Perry Thompson presided over Thursday's plea deal in Wheaton.
Road resurfacing begins
Resurfacing of Plainfield-Naperville Road from 75th to 87th streets in Naperville is scheduled to begin Monday and be completed in August, city officials said Thursday. The road will remain open throughout the project but will be reduced to one lane in each direction from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Motorists should expect delays. The project is being overseen by the DuPage County Division of Highways. For details, visit the city's Web site at www.naperville.il.us/pnroadresurface.aspx.
Judge elevated to circuit
The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed DuPage County Judge Thomas J. Riggs to the circuit bench, effective earlier this week, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert K. Kilander, the county's former chief judge and a longtime prosecutor. Any lawyer who lives in DuPage County interested in applying for Riggs' vacant associate judge seat has until Aug. 8 to submit an application. Applications may be obtained at the chief judge's office in the Wheaton courthouse or the ISC website at www.state.il.us/court.