Dawn Patrol: COD-Glen Ellyn peace; Teen fakes kidnapping?
<h3 class="briefHead">Is College of DuPage-Glen Ellyn spat over?</h3>
A multiyear dispute between the College of DuPage and the village of Glen Ellyn looks to be over as the two entities reached a tentative agreement over who has jurisdiction over the college if anyone. The 273-acre campus will remain within village limits under the five-year deal, but it will be under the jurisdiction of the county. The college filed a 2010 lawsuit against the village, which later filed a countersuit. Both lawsuits were dropped as part of the deal. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Illinois not ready for big quake</h3>
If you missed the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut this week, you aren't alone. But one of these days, the suburbs really will get rocked by a major earthquake, and you'll wish you had paid a bit more attention. "We are as ill-prepared as ever," says Amr Elnashai, the University of Illinois professor who led quake drill. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead"Auto Show not about doom and gloom</h3>
After years of hype over super-sized vehicles, much of the buzz at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show preview Wednesday focused on mid-sized and compact cars. The trend will be showing up in driveways across the suburbs where the SUV was king, experts say, reflecting the realities of a fragile economy and volatile gas prices. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Palatine District 15 outlines budget with fewer teachers, larger classes</h3>
Classrooms next year in Palatine Township Elementary District 15 will boast more students - yet fewer helping hands - under a new plan to eliminate a $9.6 million projected deficit. Superintendent Scott Thompson presented the administration's budget reduction proposal at a meeting last night attended by more than 100 parents and community members. About 30 teaching positions will be eliminated as part of the plan, which a supportive board will likely approve next month. "These actions come with deep emotional angst," Thompson said. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Hoffman Estates murder trial date set 3½ years after crime</h3>
It has been 3½ years since the murder of 19-year-old Joseph Ziegler of Hoffman Estates, but the trial date has finally been set. Joseph's father Jeff Ziegler is eager for the trial to begin on April 16. "In my opinion, the system moves like a snail, nothing like TV's 'Law & Order,'" he said. "The average person has no clue what it takes to get these cases resolved." The case went cold for about two years until an anonymous tip led police to Matthew Zucco, 22, and co-defendant Clinton Johnson. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Teenager fakes own kidnapping to see if mom cared for him</h3>
A Willowbrook teenager accused of staging his own kidnapping Tuesday while telling his mother he was being held for $1,000 ransom said he wanted to find out if she cared for him, prosecutors said. Dorian Ford, 19, is now behind bars, after his mother spent about 12 hours thinking her son was kidnapped. DuPage sheriff's deputies interviewed several witnesses and found Ford. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Former Westmont fire chief not guilty in DUI case</h3>
Former Westmont Fire Chief Frank Trout, who was forced to retire after a December DUI stop, was found not guilty yesterday. Trout, 67, drove into a parked car about a mile from his home and told the owner of the vehicle he was drinking but refused sobriety tests, according to testimony. Trout pleaded guilty to failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and after 30 days of supervision can apply to drive a vehicle equipped with a breath-testing device on the ignition. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Driver, 27, who caused fatal 2009 crash sentenced to 7 years</h3>
A 27-year-old woman who caused a 2009 crash that killed a St. Charles couple and injured 12 others was sentenced to seven years in prison. Alia N. Bernard pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI for the deaths of Wade and Denise Thomas. Authorities said she was not drunk, but tests showed the presence of cannabis in her bloodstream. Bernard said she got high two days earlier. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Hardware store owners complain over new chemical law</h3>
Suburban hardware store owners are hoping state legislators will scale back a new law that requires customers to sign a log book to buy certain chemicals such as drain cleaners. The law targets industrial-strength chemicals that could be used as chemical weapons, but it has confused some store owners who are asking customers to sign the log for common household products. "It was a law with good intent, but the rules have not been put together, and your local hardware stores are having problems determining the law's intention," said Rep. Kent Gaffney. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Weather</h3>
Clear and cool this morning with a high of only 22 degrees when you step out the door. It'll stay clear and sunny throughout the day, and temperatures will reach 36 degrees, but the breeze coiuld make it feel much cooler. Snow is scheduled for tomorrow.
Just text. Full weather.
<h3 class="briefHead">Traffic</h3>
Authorities are on the scene of a major accident on westbound I-94 near Route 60. It's a multi-vehicle crash that has shut down at least two westbound lanes, so people should be cautious around that area. People are still urged to avoid heavy construction on the Downers Place bridge replacement over the Fox River near Aurora and on Walkup between Route 176 and Burning Bush Trail in Crystal Lake. Full traffic <http://www.traffic.com/Chicago-Traffic/Chicago-Traffic-Reports.html>.
<h3 class="briefHead">Did Will Ferrell call Derrick Rose's name?</h3>
A couple of things were predictably obvious about the Bulls' night in New Orleans. First of all, Will Ferrell's reading of the starting lineups figured to be more entertaining than the game. Secondly, whether Derrick Rose played or rested his sore back, the Bulls figured to have no trouble with the injury-plagued Hornets. Rose started but played just 22 minutes while the Bulls rolled to a 90-67 victory at New Orleans Arena. Mike McGraw reports.
<h3 class="briefHead">Blackhawks continue to slide, must right the ship</h3>
The Blackhawks have dropped six games in a row and are heading into the final stretch of their nine-game road trip, where they will face four tough opponents in San Jose, Phoenix, Nashville and the New York Rangers. The team, which earlier in the season was leading the entire NHL, is now fighting to remain in playoff contention with only 28 games remaining. Beat writer Tim Sassone breaks down areas of concern and what the team and GM can do heading forward. Full story.