Dawn Patrol: Sandy Hook mom in suburbs; Portillo's considers selling
Sandy Hook mom talks to suburban educators
Michele Gay, who lost her daughter Josephine during the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012 in Connecticut, spoke yesterday about Safe and Sound Schools: A Sandy Hook Initiative. The group encourages conversations about school security and provides free training tool kits on its website. More than 100 people attended the event hosted by Northwest Suburban High School District 214, Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization and the Arlington Heights Police Department. Full story.
Portillo's considering sale of hot dog restaurants
The Portillo Restaurant Group announced yesterday that it's exploring the sale of its Portillo's Hot Dogs restaurants. With 38 restaurants in four states, the group hired Piper Jaffray & Co. to investigate the financial options regarding a sale. Full story.
Dems could craft two budget choices
Illinois House Democrats say they plan to make two state budget shells - one in case the 2011 income tax is made permanent and another in case it drops to 3.75 percent if lawmakers don't vote to extend it. Lawmakers need a spending plan as they approach the fiscal deadline at the end of May. Full story.
Jurors watch interrogation video in Round Lake Beach shooting
A Round Lake man on trial in the 2013 murder of a Zion teen told police the shooting was gang-related but never said he knew his co-defendant was going to shoot and kill the teen. Jose Rebollar, 26, faces three counts of murder. Jurors watched the video of the interrogation yesterday in court. Full story.
Aurora man gets 35 years for kidnapping homeless woman
An Aurora man was sentenced to 35 years in prison yesterday for kidnapping and beating a homeless woman in Aurora in August 2011. Tracy S. Taylor pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping in exchange for prosecutors dismissing other less severe charges like aggravated criminal sexual assault and robbery. Full story.
Settlement reached in beating of special needs student
A West Dundee special needs student who was beaten and had her leg broken by her peers on a school bus in October 2010 has reached a $35,000 settlement against Warrenville-based Durham School Services, which was the bus provider. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy, cool with a chance of rain expected again today with temperatures only reaching a high of 51 degrees this afternoon. Temperatures will be about 43 degrees when you head out this morning, then dip back to 42 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues on Route 176 between IL Route 31 and Barreville Road near Crystal Lake. Heavy delays are expected. Full story.
Hawks will face Minnesota Wild in second round
Minnesota's Nino Niederreiter scored his second goal of the game 5:02 into overtime and Ilya Bryzgalov made a big save filling in for an injured Darcy Kuemper, leading the Wild to a 5-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 Wednesday night. The Wild will play the Hawks Friday night at the UC. Is that the team the Hawks wanted to play? Full story.