Dawn Patrol: Lake County stadium deal? Dead heat in Iowa
Stadium deal for Lake County Fielders? Nobody talks
Another peculiar chapter was added last night to the history of the 2-year-old Lake County Fielders. Fielders publicist Bernie DiMeo had claimed an investor would appear at the Zion city council meeting to pitch a $70 million sports and entertainment corridor that would be a way for the team to receive a publicly owned, permanent stadium there. Although by all accounts Elizabeth Ochoa of LaGrange showed up at Zion city hall, she never spoke as expected during public comment time. City officials said such a deal has been discussed, they kept mum on the details. Full story.
Romney, Santorum almost exactly tie for win in Iowa caucuses
The Republican winner of the Iowa caucuses last night came down to 8 votes. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts finished ahead of Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania by that much, with both each getting about 30,000 votes. Ron Paul finished third with 21.5 percent. Newt Gingrich followed with 13 percent, Rick Perry with 10 percent and Michele Bachmann with 5 percent. Full story.
State budget projections include spike in pension payments
A three-year state budget project released yesterday shows stagnant spending or cutbacks in most state services other than pensions. Projections show government pension costs rising about 43 percent over the next three years, while other areas of the state government would have to be cut 9 percent. Gov. Pat Quinn's projections suggest those cuts will be necessary if spending on schools and health care goes unchanged. Full story.
Naperville board weighs putting smart meter on ballot
The advisory referendum sought by smart meter opponents in Naperville lives to see at least six more days. The Naperville Electoral Board is expected to decide Monday morning whether to allow on the March 20 ballot the nonbinding referendum question asking, “Shall the City of Naperville immediately and permanently stop the implementation of the $22 million smart meter project and dismantle all related equipment?” Full story.
Will I-PASS drivers avoid toll hikes?
Some I-PASS users say they plan on changing their daily routes to avoid the fees that jumped by nearly 100 percent on Sunday, but the Toll Highway Authority won't have data about the impact on drivers until next week. The fee hike was implemented to pay for a $12 billion construction plan. Tollway officials say traffic studies predict some drop-off, but drivers usually return to their old habits. Full story.
Lawsuit: Man charged in Hoffman Estates murders beaten in jail
D'Andre Howard, who is charged with killing three members of a Hoffman Estates family, filed a lawsuit claiming Cook County jail workers failed to protect him during a fight. Howard, who has been jailed since April 2009 says he was #8220;hit with soap socks, hard plastic dinner trays and cut with small weapons#8221; during the Oct. 21 fight, according to the federal complaint. He was hospitalized after the beating, according to the filing. Full story.
2 injured in Palatine apartment fire
A fire inside a Palatine apartment unit last night injured two people, according to fire officials. Four people were inside the second-story unit at 1434 Carol Court when the fire broke out at about 6:30 p.m. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, but officials said the injuries to the man and woman were minor. Full story.
McHenry County to pay $275,000 for Bianchi, aide's legal fees
McHenry County tax funds will be used to pay $275,000 in legal fees to the attorneys who represented State's Attorney Louis Bianchi and his assistant Joyce Synek incurred as they fought to clear their names in court. The county board voted 18-3 in favor of the payment, but the attorneys estimated the total legal fees at nearly $600,000. The county hoped the state's attorney's legal insurance would cover the fees, but the funds will now come out of the county's tort liability fund. Full story.
Men try to lure boy from bus stop in Carpentersville
Community Unit District 300 officials alerted parents yesterday after two men in a van tried to lure a sixth-grade boy from a bus stop into their white van. The boy ran home from the bust stop in the Silverstone neighborhood and his parents called police, but school officials said a man got out of a similar van and approached a student at the same intersection in 2010. Full story.
Weather
Today will be less windy and much warmer the rest of the week than we've had to suffer through so far. Today, it will be partly sunny with highs of about 37 degrees, but only about 29 degrees when you head out the door in the morning. Full weather.
Traffic
No major problems or accidents to report on the roadways early Wednesday. However, people in McHenry County are asked to avoid Barnard Mill Road and Ringwood Road in Ringwood due to a two-alarm fire in the area. Ringwood Road is also blocked between Route 31 and Barnard Mill Road to allow fire trucks access to the area. Full traffic.
Bulls somehow pull out a victory
The Atlanta Hawks were less than one quarter from becoming the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls trailed 56-37 with 2:42 left in the third quarter last night while a sellout crowd at the United Center sat in glum disbelief. The home team would have to hit a hot streak just to reach 60 points. Elite teams can summon some great escapes in the NBA, though, and the Bulls somehow pulled it off. Full story.
Angelo, Martz gone, so what with the mess now?
The search is on for a new Bears' general manager and offensive coordinator after the firing of Jerry Angelo and resignation of Mike Martz. Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips said the decision to fire Angelo #8220;was made that we need to keep up the pace with our division rivals.#8221; Lovie Smith will be retained as head coach. Full story. But should he be? Mike Imrem and Barry Rozner question the wisdom of it all.