Dawn Patrol: NIU student shot, state seeks No Child waiver
Breaking news
A senior student at Northern Illinois University from Park Forest was shot and killed after being gunned down at an early morning off-campus party, authorities said. DeKalb Police Chief Feithen said authorities were summoned at 2:10 a.m. Wednesday to an apartment in the 800 block of Edgebrook Court in DeKalb for a report of shots fired. A 22-year-old student identified as Steven R. Agee II was shot in the chest and taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital, Feithen said. The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital, he said. The shooter fled the scene after the shooting and remains on the run. Full story.
Accident shuts down Mannheim near Touhy
The morning rush hour is becoming more congested throughout the system on what is routinely the busiest travel day of the year. People should avoid a bad accident on Mannheim Road, which is closed down between Howard Avenue and W. Touhy Avenue. At least one person was injured after a car was crushed under a semi. Police are also on the scenes of crashes at Route 59 and Hudson Court in Bartlett and eastbound Higgins Road near Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates. The Illinois Department of Transportation says it will scale back road work this weekend to make it easier on drivers traveling for Thanksgiving. Starting at 3 p.m. Wednesday, IDOT plans to suspend all nonemergency road work on highways and state roads. That work won't resume until midnight Sunday. Many roads will still have a few lanes closed, though, and IDOT officials says work zone speed limits are still in effect. A full list of lane closures is available on the department's website. Full traffic.
Illinois seeks No Child Left Behind waiver
The State Board of Education announced it will apply for a waiver from certain No Child Left Behind provisions, after an announcement by President Obama that states will be allowed to opt out for the first time next year if they meet certain conditions. More than 80 percent of schools in Illinois, including every high school in the Northwest suburbs, failed to meet the NCLB standards last year. Full story.
Semi crash on Route 53 shuts down two lanes
A three-vehicle crash involving a semi-trailer truck on Route 53 in Schaumburg shut down two northbound lanes for more than two hours while crews worked to pull tow the semi out of a muddy ditch, according to fire officials. Full story.
Lake Zurich trustees, mayor violated meetings law
Following a pair of investigations, Lake Zurich trustees and the town's mayor will undergo mandatory training about the state's Open Meetings Act, prosecutors said. The session was prompted by separate complaints to the Lake County state's attorney's office about how the board and administrators conduct business, Assistant State's Attorney Janelle Christensen said. One investigation revealed a majority of board members twice broke the law last year by privately debating public business via email, the state's attorney's office said. Full story.
Elgin councilman says most dogs shot are pit bulls
Fifteen dogs have been shot by police in Elgin since Feb. 2010 and 14 of them were pit bulls, according to statistics John Prigge recently received from police. Officers have also used Tasers, fight sticks, pepper spray and tranquilizer guns. “Unfortunately, if a dog is charging, we're going to protect people first,” police spokeswoman Sue Olafson said. Full story.
Man charged with impersonating U.S. marshal as neighbor's door
A 47-year-old Lake in the Hills man has been charged with impersonating a U.S. marshal after banging on his neighbor's door and showing a badge and Marshals' shirt while yelling “U.S. Marshals, U.S. Marshals! Open the door!” authorities said. The homeowner pushed Anthony Wnek out of the doorway and yelled for his wife to get his gun. Wnek hopped into his vehicle and led Lake in the Hills police on a chase before he pulled into the Lake in the Hills police station and was arrested, police said. Full story.
Mundelein man sentenced to 80 years in fatal firebombing
A 19-year-old Mundelein man who firebombed Round Lake home targeting a 19-year-old who had been fighting with the Mundelein man's gang, has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for instead killing the target's 12-year-old brother and paralyzing his mother. Edwin Hernandez, then 17, threw a beer bottle full of gasoline into a Mundelein home, which trapped Jorge Juarez, 12, inside and forced Virgina Estrada, 44, to jump from a window causing the paralysis. Full story.
Burglar helps himself to Kenny Williams' lobster
Scrambling to put a roster together with a reduced payroll and preparing to lose free-agent starting pitcher Mark Buehrle, Kenny Williams returned to his townhouse in downtown Chicago on Monday night and realized he was a burglary victim. On Tuesday, a Cook County judge ordered 51-year-old Wayne Field III held in lieu of $100,000 bail on a felony charge of residential burglary. According to police reports, Field helped himself to beer, made a pizza and was defrosting a lobster before leaving wearing Williams' clothes and his 2005 World Series ring. Full story.
Feds say downstate water system wasn't hacked
Federal authorities say reports that a water pump failure in Springfield was the result of hacking aren't true. Department of Homeland Security spokesman Chris Ortman says initial reports were based on raw and unconfirmed data. In a statement Tuesday, he says detailed analysis by DHS and the FBI found no evidence of a cyber intrusion or that there was any malicious activity. Full story.
GOP presidential hopefuls come to defense of Defense
Republican presidential hopefuls warned in near unanimity last night against deep cuts in the nation's defense budget Tuesday night, criticizing President Barack Obama in their 11th campaign debate but disagreeing over the extent of reductions the Pentagon should absorb to reduce deficits and repair the frail economy. Rick Perry decried the extent of potential cuts, while Newt Gingrich said some Defense Department spending could be less expensive. Full story.
Weather
A nice fall day is on tap today, with temperatures clear and about 50 degrees by this afternoon. It'll be about 35 degrees as you walk out the door this morning. Full weather.
Traffic
So far, the morning rush hour seems to be moving along well, however, that could change on what is routinely the busiest travel day of the year. An accident is blocking two right lanes on I-88 at IL Route 59. The Illinois Department of Transportation says it will scale back road work this weekend to make it easier on drivers traveling for Thanksgiving. Starting at 3 p.m. Wednesday, IDOT plans to suspend all non-emergency road work on highways and state roads. That work won't resume until midnight Sunday. Many roads will still have a few lanes closed, though, and IDOT officials says work zone speed limits are still in effect. A full list of lane closures is available on the department's website. Full traffic.
Bears to face 3 weak QB matchups in final 6 games
The Bears final six games — presumably played without quarterback Jay Cutler — feature at least three matchups whose teams quarterback situations look no better than the Bears'. Victories in those three games would give the Bears 10 wins with two left vs. the Packers and Vikings. The Chiefs' have scored a total of 16 points in their last three games with backup QB Tyler Palko, the Broncos Tim Tebow is a running threat, but can't throw the ball downfield with accuracy, and the Seahawks Tavaris Jackson has been a bust his entire career. Full story.
Sassone looks back at first quarter of the Hawks' season
With the first quarter of the season done, Hawks beat writer Tim Sassone takes a look back at the good and the bad of the 12-6-3 start to the season, including the past two beat-downs at the expense of Calgary and Edmonton. Three games remain on the circus road trip, beginning tonight against the San Jose Sharks. Pluses to start the year: Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and Nick Leddy. Negatives: Lack of physical play, a sluggish power play. Full story.