Weekend in Review: Courtroom cameras in DuPage, Quinn at DNC

DuPage County likely next for courtroom cameras

Since January, five circuit courts serving 13 counties have applied for and received the green light for use of cameras in the courtroom, a dramatic shift in at state which for decades resisted the move. DuPage County likely is next, followed by Cook County. “Our office is in full support of transparency in government,” said DuPage County state's attorney spokesman Paul Darrah said. Full story.

Courtroom artists' future in peril

A handful of Chicago-area courtroom artists expect to lose a significant chunk of their livelihood as cameras enter DuPage and Cook county trial courts for the first time in state history. They're disappointed, but not surprised. “Frankly, I'm surprised the 20th Century didn't grab me by the shoulder and said, ‘Go back to the 19th Century. We have cameras,'” artist Tom Gianni said. Full story.

Will Obama repeat suburban success?

In 2008, suburban counties that had been solid red for years — reliably voting for Republican presidents in nearly every election — all turned blue, delivering a substantial win for Barack Obama in his home state. Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention surveyed by the Daily Herald doubt it will be so easy this year. Full story.

Quinn at convention, tumult back home

When Gov. Pat Quinn steps onto the Democratic National Convention stage in Charlotte this week, he'll do so as the governor of Barack Obama's home state who has championed many of the president's ideas back home. But as Quinn considers his own possible re-election plans in 2014, he's a governor whose biggest budget goal — cutting the retirement benefits of teachers, state employees and other union workers — has angered some of the voters who back Democrats the most. Full story.

Investigation into Elgin teen's death could take weeks

Police say it will be a few weeks before they wrap up their investigation of a Sunday morning crash in Kane County that killed one teen and seriously injured another. The one-car crash occurred about 12:50 a.m. Sunday on Plank Road west of Engel Road near Burlington, killing 17-year-old Lawrence Echols of Elgin. Shadontre Smith, 19, of South Elgin, was flown to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville after the crash and remained in serious condition. Full story.

Burr Ridge businessman to preach Lincoln message nationwide

Local business owner Mickey Straub wants to remind America of Abe Lincoln's legacy. And what better way to do that than to set out in his 1997 Lincoln with the goal of reading the Gettysburg Address on the steps of 50 state capitols in 50 days? “It's an amazing document,” Straub says. “The Gettysburg Address is our future.” Full story.

Schaumburg Boomers' strong season a good start

Team owners, village officials and fans agree that the Schaumburg Boomers' inaugural season was a bigger and better first step for the franchise than could have been anticipated during the offseason. But more work lies ahead for the Boomers to become as ingrained a part of the Schaumburg community as they want to be. Full story.

Demand grows for expanded Dupage dental clinic

Demand for DuPage County Health Department's urgent care dental clinic has grown since an expanded floor plan was unveiled in April. Officials say the Wheaton facility is on pace to serve 2,700 clients and provide 6,245 procedures for the year. “We've been busy,” said Mila Tsagalis, the department's assistant director of dental health. Full story.

Better late then never for Wheaton parade

Storms bombarded Wheaton and surrounding communities July 1, leaving behind a path of destruction that required a massive cleanup effort. And even though the calendar said July 4 was approaching — time for the city's annual Fourth of July celebration — residents and public works crews hardly had the time to celebrate. But on Monday — Labor Day — Wheaton wasn't going to let Mother Nature rain on its rescheduled parade. Full story.

Armed robber steals drugs from Crystal Lake pharmacy

A man armed with a semiautomatic handgun held up a Crystal Lake pharmacy Sunday night to obtain a strong narcotic pain reliever, police said. The man approached a pharmacist at the CVS Pharmacy, 1305 Randall Road, shortly after 10:30 p.m., displayed a gun and handed over a note demanding Oxycodone, according to a Crystal Lake police news release. Full story.

Civil War flag back home in Lake County

Edward Murray, a farmer from Newport Township in Lake County, survived a harrowing Civil War battle. A U.S. flag his mother made in his honor 150 years ago has its own survival story, and it is now safely ensconced in the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda. Full story.

Police: Man threatened neighbor with AK-47

A man with at least two past felony convictions is facing more felony charges after punching a neighbor and threatening him with an AK-47 rifle early Saturday morning in a trailer park near Des Plaines, authorities said. Timothy Bogacki, 32, of the 4000 block of East Touhy Avenue in an unincorporated area near Des Plaines, is being charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct and battery. Full story.

Tollway oases still have vacancies, but at least the weeds are gone

Fried chicken. Jewelry. Cappuccino. Tacos. Burgers. Gyros. Vacancies. But not as many weeds. Columnist Marni Pyke hits the road for a trip of a lifetime to seven tollway oases. Notorious for insipid revenues and patronage contracts during the era of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the seven oases have kept a lower profile with a new regime at the agency. Here's what she found. Full story.

World & Nation

‘Green Mile' actor Michael Clarke Duncan dies. Full story.

Convention eve: Obama consoles storm victims. Full story.

Ban on gambling donations a tough sell. Full story.

Walgreens rolls out first customer rewards program. Full story.

U.S. stops training some Afghan forces after attacks. Full story.

“The Possession” wins holiday box office. Full story.

Sports

Urlacher has good first day back. Full story.

White Sox limp home tied with Tigers. Full story.

Cubs give Nationals their first winning season. Full story.

Ugly trip doesn't seal Sox' fate. Full story.

Bears have a few issues to be addressed. Full story.

Is Bettman ruling or ruing the NHL? Full story.

Medinah shaping up just fine for Ryder Cup. Full story.

As new era at Penn State begins, challenges remain. Full story.