Dawn Patrol: Quick hits as you head out the door
<h3 class="briefHead">Day care worker guilty of first-degree murder</h3>
Melissa Calusinski, 25, of Carpentersville faces up to life in prison after a Lake County jury found her guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated battery to a child last night to end the two-week trial involving the death of 16-month-old Benjamin Kingan of Deerfield. The boy died on Jan. 14, 2009, after Calusinski, an employee at a Lincolnshire day care center, threw him to the ground, causing a major head injury, according to prosecutors. Jurors deliberated for about seven hours before coming back with the guilty verdict. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Lake Zurich school board expected to vote down drug testing</h3>
A controversial random drug testing proposal for Lake Zurich High School students is expected to be voted down today, after a yearlong debate over the plan. The majority of the school board publicly acknowledged they would reject the plan two weeks ago. A recent survey of District 95 parents showed 76 percent opposed the plan. "It's our job to educate," said board member Michael Finn. "It's the police's job to police. It's the parents' job to parent." Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Bartlett president resigns after reported tax delinquency</h3>
Bartlett President Michael Kelly resigned yesterday after the Daily Herald reported Sunday he had been delinquent on his taxes for the past three years, including $25,983 in 2010 taxes for his home and law offices that he paid just hours after being questioned. The Bartlett village board voiced anger over the matter this week and voted to hire a special counsel to explore any legal obligations. Kelly said he stepped down to save taxpayers the expense of the lawyer fees. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Prosecutors: Prisoner tried to hire hitman for judge, attorney, ex-wife</h3>
A Wheaton man already behind bars for his 10th DUI charge appeared in court yesterday on new charges that he attempted to hire a hitman to kill the judge and prosecutor in the case that imprisoned him along with his ex-wife and an acquaintance. Gordon Vanderark offered $70,000 in exchange for the four killings, according to prosecutors, and told a fellow inmate, "I want to see them suffer." Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Chicken care returns to Naperville board's plate</h3>
A Naperville city councilman who was absent during a vote that declined to tighten restrictions on backyard chickens and fowl now wants to reexamine the policy. City officials initially voted down proposals to charge a permit fee, require screens or landscaping to hide chicken coops, and a requirement that the coops be clean at all times. "... I have to respect property values of these neighbors. There needs to be some things in place so it doesn't get out of hand," said councilman Paul Hinterlong. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Mount Prospect woman charged with throwing baby</h3>
A Mount Prospect woman has been charged after police say she threw her 6-week-old baby to the floor and fractured his femur. Veronica Perez, 33, has been charged with aggravated battery to a child, a sentence that carries between six and 30 years in prison, and is being held on $30,000 bail. Perez told police she "snapped" and threw the baby at about 4:30 a.m. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Sveum appears to be Cubs' pick for manager</h3>
All signs point to Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum as the Cubs' choice for manager, amid reports that the team made him an offer. The Cubs and Boston Red Sox were vying heavily for Sveum, but Red Sox officials acknowledged they will widen their search for a manager. Cubs management conducted a second discussion with Sveum Tuesday night and would not confirm reports of the offer last night. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Reports: 13 teams pursuing Sox' Buehrle</h3>
The White Sox are hopeful to lure pitcher Mark Buehrle back to the South Side, but reports indicate 13 teams are pursuing the starter. It is doubtful the Sox will be able to match the likely $50 million-plus, four-year contract Buehrle is likely to receive, but the Cubs are also on the list of suitors, according to Fox Sports. Both teams likely can't afford the starter who has started 30 games, pitched 200 innings and won at least 10 wins in each of his past 11 years. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Weather</h3>
Mostly sunny but brisk this morning when you walk out the door. Temperatures will only reach about 42 degrees today, but expect about 35 degrees when you leave for work. Full weather.
<h3 class="briefHead">Traffic</h3>
A Union Pacific Northwest Line Metra train 708 heading into Chicago was stopped in McHenry and running about 45 minutes behind schedule because of mechanical problems. The delay could cause other inbound trains to be late, so commuters are asked to check their train schedule before they leave. In addition, two lanes of the Tri-State Tollway northbound have been shut down at Golf and Willow roads due to an accident. People should also avoid road construction on Milwaukee Avenue in both directions between Peterson and Route 120 in Libertyville. Full traffic <http://www.traffic.com/Chicago-Traffic/Chicago-Traffic-Reports.html%20%3Chttps://webmail.dailyherald.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=https://webmail.dailyherald.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.traffic.com/Chicago-Traffic/Chicago-Traffic-Reports.html%3E