Dawn Patrol: Yanni’s closes, Duckworth audit raised
Yanni’s in Arlington Heights shuts down
Yanni’s Greek restaurant in Arlington Heights shut its doors on Sunday after operating for more than 13 years on the corner of East Algonquin and Arlington Heights roads. Yanni’s, which replaced the former Rusty Pelican in 1999, was unable to weather the economic downturn over the past three years due to high overhead costs for the 10,000-square-foot business, according to city officials. Full story.
Heat taking toll on suburbs
It’s hot, it’s dry and it’s a recipe for disaster for farms, gardens and property if heat-related fires crop up. Meteorologists in the meantime are shaking their heads over the drought. “There’s nothing in the immediate future to bring much relief. I’m worried about this one,” state climatologist Jim Angel said. Full story.
Supreme Court to rule on health care
They’ve known the outcome for three months. Now it’s time for the nine Supreme Court justices to share it with the world. Barring some incredibly strange twist, shortly after 9 o’clock in the morning Thursday, Chief Justice John Roberts is expected to reveal the high court’s verdict on President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. Full story.
Tea Party group points to 2008 audit questioning Duckworth
A suburban Tea Party group is drawing attention to a 2008 report that Democrat Tammy Duckworth faced compliance issues while leading the state Department of Veterans Affairs. Duckworth, who is a candidate for Congress in the 8th District, had $976 in travel vouchers paid to a vendor in excess of state travel allowances, according to the report. Several other travel vouchers totaling $2,216 did not specifically state the purpose of travel. Full story.
Kane County coroner undergoes liver transplant
Kane County Coroner Chuck West, who is facing misconduct charges, recently had a liver transplant and officials are hopeful he will soon be able to stand trial. The 69-year-old is in intensive care after the surgery, which was needed for nonalcoholic cirrhosis. West is facing charges that he allowed a television to be stolen from the home of a Carpentersville man. Full story.
Lake County Fair reverses abortion opponent decision
Lake County Fair officials reversed a controversial decision to deny booth space to abortion opponents, and will allow the booth again this year as it has for the past 37 years. Lake County Right to Life and Peter’s Net, an initiative promoting Lake County Catholic churches, said the decision to ban their booths was a violation of their civil rights. Fair officials originally cited a limited capacity as their reason for denying the groups. Full story.
Man involved in $1 million pot bust receives probation
An Elgin man who was involved in a $1 million high-grade marijuana bust in Aurora in January 2011 was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and fined $5,270. Mario Hernandez, 37, phoned in a missing-person report for one of two men who were caught with 56 pounds of pot on Interstate 88 in their trunk. Those men were sentenced to 8 and 8½ years, respectively. Full story.
Attorney who stole more than $200,000 from clients gets 180 days
An attorney from Elgin who admitted to stealing nearly $205,000 from clients was sentenced to 180 days in jail and four years’ probation and was ordered to repay the victims. William Chesbrough, 59, who has a West Dundee practice, drained the escrow funds of clients he represented in real estate deals. “There is no one to blame but me. There is no excuse for what I did,” he told a judge. Full story.
Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove men indicted in Medicare kickback scheme
A 75-year-old Hoffman Estates man and an Elk Grove man were two of 10 people indicted in federal court yesterday for participating in a Medicare kickback scheme. Rogelio Cabrerea is accused of paying at least $500,000 in cash kickbacks to doctors in exchange for Medicare patient referrals to his company, while Dr. Kamal Patel of Elk Grove is accused of accepting $28,500 in kickbacks. Full story.
Weather
Hot hot hot. Temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees by 2 p.m. this afternoon, a potential record for June 28. The only good news in that is that there is a 75 percent chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight in Lake and northern Cook counties, so the ground could get the good soaking it needs. It will be about 78 degrees as you head out the door this morning, and temperatures are expected to dip back to 76 this evening. Full story.
Traffic
No major delays are being reported this morning, so the early commute should be smooth sailing. Motorists should avoid construction on Villa Avenue between Madison Street and St. Charles Road in Villa Park, and again in Bartlett at Newport Road between Devon Avenue and Stearns Road. Full story.
Problems with Samardzija continue
The New York Mets roughed up Samardzija and reliever Casey Coleman on Wednesday, crushing the Cubs 17-1 at hot and windy Wrigley Field to avoid a three-game sweep. After beating the Padres on May 29, Samardzija had a record of 5-3 with an ERA of 3.09. He’s now at 5-7 with a 5.05 ERA. In 5 June starts, he is 0-4 with a 10.42 ERA, having given up 27 earned runs in 23 innings pitched. Full story.
Sox whip Twins 12-5
Chris Sale produced his usual strong pitching performance and Adam Dunn’s 3-run homer pushed the White Sox to a 12-5 win over the Twins in Minnesota Wednesday. Full story.
All the NBA first picks who come from sweet home Chicago
When Kentucky center Anthony Davis is chosen tonight by the New Orleans Hornets, he will become the fifth Chicago native to be chosen first in the NBA draft — joining Derrick Rose (2008), Mark Aguirre (’81), LaRue Martin (’72) and Cazzie Russell (’66). Davis was in his hometown earlier this month for the predraft camp and talked about what it means to join the legacy of Chicago basketball greats. Full story.