Dawn Patrol: Children’s deaths investigated; David Axelrod
DCFS: Day care center had no license
The home day care center where a 4-month-old Mount Prospect girl was found unresponsive last week was an unlicensed facility, according to state officials. Autopsy results on Anna Belle Chung were inconclusive Monday, but the Department of Children and Family Services is investigating allegations of abuse against the Hoffman Estates center. The facility, Sunflower Christian Montessori, has been shut down by DCFS. Full story.
Hoffman Estates boy’s death an accident
Hoffman Estates police are calling the weekend death of 11-year-old Allan Fernandez a tragic accident. Neighbors said the boy may have suffered the fatal puncture wound to his chest after falling from a tree in the neighboring forest preserve, but police would not confirm that. Family members are waiting to hear official word of what happened but were told police were looking at his death as an accident. Full story.
Axelrod speaks at Benedictine: ‘Take charge of your own future’
David Axelrod took time from his role as chief campaign strategist for President Obama’s re-election campaign to speak to a full house at Benedictine University yesterday. During the speech, which was part of a presidential election series, Axelrod described how he grew from a young boy in New York City mesmerized by politics, to one of the nation’s leading political strategists. “All I can do is remind young people how much is at stake. After all, the future that we’re debating is largely the future that young people are going to live in,” Axelrod said. Full story.
Former Daily Herald columnist a storyteller in all forms
Former Daily Herald columnist and longtime Chicago newspaperman, author and overall storyteller Bill Granger was 70 years old when he died Sunday night. Granger penned 28 books during his career and was a “quintessential reporter from the old school,” Daily Herald Editor John Lampinen recalled. Granger lost the ability to read and write at age 58 when he suffered a stroke, but in a 2003 interview he said he couldn’t think of a day “without newspapering in it.” Full story.
Citations likely after toddler critically injured in crash
A 23-month-old Oswego toddler remains hospitalized after the girl’s mother drove her minivan into an oncoming school bus to avoid a collision Monday morning. The woman’s minivan was struck by the bus, causing it to roll on its roof. The child was in critical condition Monday. Police expected to cite the girl’s mother as early as today. The woman, her 4-year-old son and driver of the school bus all suffered minor injuries. Full story.
Prospect Heights man charged in 2011 Skokie explosion
A Prospect Heights man has been charged with two counts of arson in connection with an explosion that blew off the front of a Skokie apartment building in December. The brick building, which was empty and undergoing renovations, had to be knocked down due to the extent of the damage. Stefan Kogut, 53, was injured in the Dec. 12 blast and was charged earlier this week. Full story.
Weather
Chilly to start the morning, but it should turn into a decent day in the end. Temperatures will be about 40 degrees when you head out the door this morning, but temperatures are expected to climb then top out at about 64 degrees this afternoon and into the evening. It will drop back down to about 46 degrees tonight before thunderstorms move in tomorrow. Full story.
Traffic
Traffic is moving along pretty nicely to start the day. No delays are showing on any of the expressways or tollways early this morning, though congestion being what it is, delays are expected later. Specifically, construction congestion is expected in St. Charles at Red Gate Road between routes 31 and 25. The construction is involving bridge installation over the Fox River, and intersection work. Delays are expected to last through June. Full story.
Blackhawks stonewalled in game 6 loss
The Blackhawks managed to fire 39 shots at the Phoenix net in last night’s season-ending game 6 loss, but Coyotes goaltender Michael Smith was a wall. His shutout gave the franchise its first playoff series victory in 25 years. The Hawks were down 1-0 heading into the third, but Phoenix put the game out of reach with less than 10 minutes left as Jimmy Hayes sat in the box for a 5 minute major. Phoenix managed to score four times on just 20 shots in the game, including two power play goals. Full story.
Cubs beat St. Louis on ninth inning heroics
It took all nine innings for the Cubs to pull ahead of the St. Louis Cardinal to pick up a rare win. Utility man Joe Mather came through with a single in the 9th with men on second and third to push the Cubs to a 3-2 victory over St. Louis. Full story.
Peavy, Dunn, Konerko lead Sox to victory over Oakland
Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko hit back to back home runs in the fourth inning, while Jake Peavy pitched a shutout to lead the Sox to a 4-0 win in Oakland late Monday night. Full story.