Dawn Patrol: College of DuPage OKs new president's contract
COD approves 3-year contract with new president
College of DuPage trustees signed a contract last night putting Ann Rondeau at the helm of the school for the next three years. Rondeau, a retired Navy vice admiral, will become the first female president at the state's largest community college. She officially begins the job July 1 but will visit the campus today. Full story.
Will questions about auditor affect COD probe?
A suburban Republican lawmaker cast doubt on a high-profile, ongoing audit into the College of DuPage's operations because of the campaign spending questions dogging state Auditor General Frank Mautino. Republicans led by state Rep. Grant Wehrli of Naperville sent Mautino a letter asking for an explanation into campaign expenses that include more $200,000 in auto repairs by a single service station over about a dozen years. Full story.
Naperville pitching region's first smoking alcohol ban
Naperville appears on track to be the first suburban community to regulate two methods of alcohol consumption that are taking hold in other regions - smoking alcohol and ingesting powdered alcohol known as "palcohol." The city's liquor commission yesterday unanimously recommended approval of bans on the sale of both substances that also would prohibit possession of powdered alcohol and use of smoking alcohol. Full story.
I-355 overpass screens vandalized
Screens on an I-355 overpass that ignited a free speech vs. public safety debate were slashed recently, and it wasn't the first time, DuPage County officials said Thursday. County workers erected the dark-colored screening March 8 on the Great Western Trail and Prairie Path overpasses near Glen Ellyn after receiving complaints from drivers about political protesters disrupting traffic on I-355. Full story.
Garbage pile catches fire in Hoffman Estates
Hoffman Estates firefighters battled a blaze in a recyclable materials pile in an old gravel pit yesterday afternoon, fire officials said. Firefighters were called just after 5:20 p.m. to the gravel pits owned by Plote Construction, 1100 Brandt Drive, for a fire in an unsorted garbage pile putting out a large plume of smoke that could be seen for miles, fire officials said. Full story.
Another drug arrest by Kane County deputy declared illegal
A Kane County judge ruled yesterday that a sheriff's deputy illegally prolonged a November 2015 traffic stop of three Minnesota residents on Interstate 90 and, therefore, nearly a pound of uncut heroin, two guns and nearly $8,000 seized cannot be used as evidence. Full story.
Weather
Mostly cloudy and 46 degrees this morning. Temperatures will reach a high of 76 degrees this afternoon, before falling to 57 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Intersection widening and reconstruction work is scheduled to cause restrictions in all directions at Higgins and Big Timber roads near Pingree Grove until sometime in the fall. Full traffic.
Zobrist powers Cubs past Nationals 5-2
Ben Zobrist put the Cubs ahead 2-0 with a single in the fourth yesterday, and he added a 2-run homer in the eighth to help the Cubs to a 5-2 victory. The Cubs improved to 15 games over .500 at 21-6. Read beat writer Bruce Miles' take here.
Top trainers raring to go at Arlington Park
Opening Day at the racetrack is here, and the gates open at 2 p.m. today. Click here to find out what some of the top horse trainers are thinking as the new season begins.
Johnson roughed up against Boston, sent down
Erik Johnson got the first crack at winning a job in the White Sox's starting rotation Thursday night after veteran John Danks was officially designated for assignment. It didn't go well. Read beat writer Scot Gregor's take on the 7-3 loss to Boston here.