Dawn Patrol: Two BFFs get to meet Donnie Wahlberg
Two BFFs get chance to hang with Donnie in St. Charles
Wherever the New Kids on the Block are, Kristen Parness and Danielle DeCristoforo are not far behind. They go to their concerts. They've seen them get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They've even gone on a fan cruise with the band - three times. Full story.
New pedestrian bridge to be built near Hanover Park
Construction is poised to begin on a long-sought bridge and trail in Mallard Lake Forest Preserve near Hanover Park that will cross County Farm Road and connect to the neighboring Hawk Hollow Forest Preserve. DuPage County Forest Preserve District officials are planning to break ground Tuesday on the roughly $3.5 million project, which is being funded with county, state and federal money. Full story.
Rauner: 'I'll compromise on anything' to get spending plan passed
Not willing to give up on passing a set of pro-business, anti-union measures, Gov. Bruce Rauner has held the line for more than a year as Illinois has gone without a budget since last July. But yesterday in Itasca, the Winnetka Republican said he was open to compromise on those measures - if it means passing a spending plan sooner. Full story.
Second man charged in robbery of Aurora convenience store
A second Aurora man has been charged in the Feb. 12 armed robbery of a convenience store in the city. Darius Totton, 22, of the 600 block of Serendipity Drive, has been charged with armed robbery, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery. Full story.
3 high schools hold commencement exercises
Hoffman Estates, Stevenson and Vernon Hills high schools sent their 2016 graduates out into the world on Thursday night. Click here to see all the pomp and circumstance.
Strike halts Round Lake High project
Round Lake Area Unit District 116 officials say they have a "huge concern" over the halt of construction on a $29 million high school expansion and renovation because of a sheet metal workers strike. Other construction trades honored a Sheet Metal Workers' Local 73 picket line yesterday morning outside Round Lake High School's rear entrance, according to District 116, thus stopping the project midstream. The strikers were gone by late morning. Full story.
Weather
Mostly clear and 60 degrees this morning. Temperatures are expected to top out at 78 degrees this afternoon, before falling to 64 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction of the new Route 390 extension is scheduled to reduce Prospect Avenue to one lane in each direction between Granville Avenue and Pierce Road in Itasca until late 2017. Full traffic.
Hendricks almost goes the distance again in Cubs' 7-2 win
Kyle Hendricks tossed a complete game last Saturday against the Phillies. It was on to the Dodgers Thursday, and lo and behold, Hendricks sailed through 8 innings and looked strong enough to go 9 as he improved to 4-4. Read Cubs beat writer Bruce Miles' take here.