Dawn Patrol: Blago off to prison, Gingrich in suburbs, and warm days
Blago defiant in last public statement, heads to prison
Rod Blagojevich spent his last night in his five-bredroom Ravenswood home last night after a final broadcast on the 5 o’clock news in front of a swarm of supporters and members of the media. He is set to arrive in Littleton, Colo., today to begin his 14-year sentence as inmate No. 40892-424 for his crimes against the people of Illinois. During his last hurrah, Blagojevich listed the highlights of his years in office and promised to keep up the fight to prove his innocence. Full story.
Gingrich at Barrington High, Judson U., Lake in the Hills airport today
Despite calls for GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich to drop out of the race after Deep South losses Tuesday, Gingrich held a rally in Rosemont yesterday afternoon and appeared at a dinner in Palatine last night. Gingrich is scheduled to appear today at Barrington High School and at Judson University in Elgin, as well as at the Lake in the Hills airport. Full story.
Our Q&A with Newt Gingrich
The former House speaker talked with Daily Herald politics and projects writer Kerry Lester yesterday to talk about what former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum’s campaign means for him, and his own message from the podium in the days leading up to Tuesday’s primary. Full story.
Hastert on Gingrich: ‘You can’t trust him’
Although Newt Gingrich traveled to St. Charles three years ago to endorse former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s son in his bid for Congress, Hastert had harsh words for the GOP presidential hopeful yesterday. “You’ll find that a lot of people who worked with Newt Gingrich over those years aren’t supporting Newt Gingrich,” Hastert said. “This guy is all over the place.” Hastert isn’t wild about Rick Santorum, either. See the story and video.
Dist. 15 OKs budget cuts despite teachers’ objections
Despite the objections of several hundred teachers who presented a unified front last night at the Palatine Township Elementary School District 15 board meeting, officials unanimously approved more than $6 million in budget cuts that will increase class size and decrease staff. In addition to a spending reduction on supplies, maintenance and transportation, about 30 teaching positions will be eliminated and roughly 100 program assistants will be converted to part-time status with no benefits. Full story.
81 degrees breaks Wednesday record, more record highs possible this week
We could be in for a record-breaking heat streak over the next eight days, after yesterday’s 81-degree peak, which broke the previous March 14 record of 77 set in 1995. Temperatures could break record highs in each of the next eight days, according to meteorologists. “We’re not completely out of the woods quite yet, but this will get us through a good chunk of March,” said meteorologist Ben Deubelbeiss. Full story.
Cunningham not a candidate, but still on the ballot
Although an appellate court decided that Jack Cunningham does not have enough valid signatures to legally run for the 11th Congressional District, his name will remain on the ballot. The appellate court did not issue a mandate for polling places to put up signs notifying voters that votes for Cunningham won’t be counted, and it is too late to wipe his name from ballots. Cunningham may choose to take his appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court if he ends up with more votes than Judy Biggert, or could run as an independent. Full story.
Weather
The extremely mild weather continues today with a low of only 65 degrees and a high of 74 degrees this afternoon. The only bad thing seems to be some storms that will be rolling in and out during times this morning and afternoon. Rain rolled through at 6 a.m., but has pulled out all ready. Accuweather also calls for additional storms at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Full story.
Traffic
No major delays to report early this morning. People, though, should watch for a cavalcade of cars early as Blagojevich and his family drive to O’Hare from his Ravenswood home for his trip to prison. In addition, the ramp from McLean Boulevard to eastbound Route 20 in Elgin is closed weekdays through early June. Motorists who use it can use a detour that takes you from Weld Road to Randall Road. Full story.
Bulls minus DRose pull out a big win over Heat
It was a perfect playoff atmosphere last night at the United Center, with LeBron James and Miami in town for the first time since last year’s Eastern Conference finals. The letdown of Derrick Rose missing the game due to a groin strain was overcome by the Bulls taking command with a big second quarter and holding off a late comeback to pull out a victory for all the role players of the world. Full story.