Dawn Patrol: 104 Northwest Community Healthcare layoffs
Northwest Community lays off more than 100 employees
Arlington Heights-based Northwest Community Healthcare laid off 104 employees this week, after the hospital suffered a loss of $13.2 million on operations in 2011. The number represents about 3 percent of its workforce, officials said. One reason given for the revenue loss is a decrease in average occupancy, which fell to 67 percent compared to 70 percent a year earlier. Full story.
Race in 8th could be crucial in national picture
The 8th Congressional District is already shaping up to be one of the most important races in the country come November when Democrat Tammy Duckworth will face Tea Party firebrand Joe Walsh. The newly drawn district centered in Schaumburg and stretching from Addison to Elgin will be in the spotlight as the Chicago suburbs could be a deciding factor on whether the Democrats take back the House. “It’s one of the most important races in the country, one of the most glaring contrasts in the country,” DCCC Chairman Steve Israel said. Full story.
Wauconda man killed in crash was back-seat passenger
Police continue to investigate a crash that killed a 37-year-old Wauconda man and shut down Route 12 near Case Road for nearly four hours yesterday. Sergio Garcia-Vazquez was a back-seat passenger in a vehicle that cut in front of oncoming traffic and was struck, police said. The driver and another passenger were injured, but police said charges could be possible pending their investigation. Neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be a factor in the crash, police said. Full story.
Grayslake schools will honor controversial contract, under investigation
Although the original controversy surround a Grayslake Elementary District consulting contract is over — Michael Linder will work a second year under the contract — authorities are now investigating whether district board members held an illegal session to discuss Linder in 2010. A deputy state’s attorney was at last night’s meeting. The original concern arose when it was discovered Linder signed a two-year deal, while some board members thought they were approving a one-year contract. Full story.
Barber: Blago dyed his own hair
The tamer of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s (in?)famous hairdo spilled the beans yesterday, telling The Associated Press that Blagojevich dyed his hair. “His hair will turn gray, like Jay Leno’s,” said his barber of two decades, noting that hair dyes are banned in prison. Peter Vodovoz estimates the hair will fade to gray within three months. Vodovoz said he last cut Blagojevich’s hair a month ago and told him not to fret about his hair because there will be no cameras. Full story.
Jury deliberating Addison Trail H.S. teen’s slaying
It is up to a DuPage County jury to decide whether three witnesses who originally claimed Luis Villavicencia-Serna was the man who shot and killed an Addison Trail High School student, or whether the witnesses were fed details by police or made them up. All three witnesses recanted their statements during the trial, but prosecutors said all three independently had the same story less than 48 hours after the shooting. Full story.
Weather
Rain and potential thunderstorms, along with heavy cloud cover, should keep the area from breaking another record high on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean we wont have decent temperatures today. It’s about 61 degrees right now, and temperatures are only expected to reach about 76 degrees before leveling off. Heavy clouds will move in at about 10 a.m., and rain should fall start this afternoon. Full story.
Traffic
No major accidents to report when you head out the door this morning, and things are running wide open. People traveling through Deerfield, though, should be prepared for lane closures on Lake Cook Road between Wilmot and Pfingsten roads in Deerfield. Periodic daytime lane closures will take place through May 11. Full story.
Former Naperville resident/Saints Head Coach Sean Payton suspended by NFL for one year
Meting out unprecedented punishment for a crush-for-cash bounty system that targeted key opposing players, the NFL suspended New Orleans Saints head coach and former Naperville resident Sean Payton without pay for next season. Also ousted was the team’s former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, who was indefinitely banned from football, while general manager Mickey Loomis was suspended for the first eight regular season games. Payton is the first head coach suspended by the league for any reason, and is accused of trying to cover up a system of extra cash payouts that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday called “particularly unusual and egregious” and “totally unacceptable.” In addition, Goodell fined the Saints $500,000 and took away their second-round draft picks this year and next. Full story.
Hawks beat Canucks in OT, Keith could face suspension
The Blackhawks and rival Canucks battled to a 1-1 tie through 60 minutes last night, but an Andrew Shaw deflection gave the Hawks a 2-1 overtime victory. The question remains whether Duncan Keith will face a suspension after knocking Daniel Sedin out of the game with what looked like an elbow to the head. The Hawks are now 9-1-1 with Johnny Oduya in the lineup. Oduya blasted the shot on net that was tipped in by Shaw in overtime. Full story.
John Lucas’ turn to rally the Bulls
Back in December, there wasn’t much evidence the 5-foot-11 John Lucas III was a valid NBA player. Well, after a number of impressive performances since then, you can officially scratch that thought. Lucas again delivered timely scoring off the bench last night, tallying 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Bulls turned the tables late to beat Toronto 94-82 at the Air Canada Centre. Full story.