Dawn Patrol: VFW hall on fire; pension shift to schools stalls
VFW gun range fire injures 10 in Villa Park
Ten people were injured, two seriously, in a fire that broke out in the basement gun range of a Villa Park VFW Post as about 70 people gathered for bingo last night. Two injured workers made it out of the range before a flash of fire shot out of it and up the stairs, according to a witness. “Within seconds it turned to deep dense dark black smoke and filled everything up,” he said. Fire officials said a welder may have sparked gun powder, which ignited the blaze. Full story.
Republicans oppose Senate’s pension plan to shift cost to school
A written Democratic plan to transfer millions of dollars in retirement costs to suburban schools and cut pension benefits of working and retired teachers was approved by an Illinois House committee yesterday but was never called for a full vote. Lawmakers have two days to either pass the bill, create a new one or put off pension reform. The bill would have schools take over the state’s share of teacher pension funding, phasing in the shift in 2013-2014. Full story.
Wheaton North student injured in ‘car surfing’ accident
A Wheaton North High School student was severely injured in a “car surfing” accident after school yesterday and was airlifted from the scene, school officials said. The boy, 16, was “surfing” on the hood of a vehicle at North Side Park near the school when he fell from the vehicle and was run over, officials said. Full story.
Sen. Kirk’s ex-wife files FEC complaint against his campaign
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk’s ex-wife filed an FEC complaint against his campaign that suggests the campaign might have disguised money that went to Kirk’s former girlfriend, according to a published report. His ex-wife, Kimberly Vertolli, asked the campaign last fall to return checks she and her family made to his Senate campaign before filing the FEC complaint. Dodie McCracken, his former girlfriend, acknowledged received nearly $150,000 for her campaign work, according to a Chicago Tribune report. Full story.
Illinois smokers likely to face a $1 tax increase per pack
Illinois smokers will likely begin paying an extra dollar in taxes on each pack of cigarettes, if Gov. Pat Quinn signs the tax increase passed yesterday. He is expected to pass the increase, which is part of a package meant to fill a $2.7 billion Medicaid funding shortfall. The cigarette tax increase is expected to bring in $700 million for the state. Opponents of the plan called it a “very regressive tax.” Full story.
Weather
Sunny but cool today with a high of only about 67 degrees this afternoon. It’ll be only about 60 when most people leave this morning, but dip to 48 degrees late tonight when thunderstorms move in. Full story.
Traffic
Heavy congestion is showing throughout the system due to construction, but only one accident is being reported. People should avoid Lake Avenue and I-94 near Park Ridge due to the crash. Motorists are also urged to avoid resurfacing work on Ela Road between Lake Cook and Cuba roads in Barrington. Full story.
What? Cubs win again? And Samardzija and Soriano get cheers?
Jeff Samardzija and Alfonso Soriano have been two of the more maligned Cubs since they came to Chicago a few years back. So it was interesting — and fun — to see both get big ovations from the Wrigley Field crowd during yesterday’s 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. The win was the Cubs’ second in a row after a 12-game losing streak and improved their record to 17-32. Full story.
Humber wins for first time since perfect game
Philip Humber won for the first time since throwing a perfect game in April, and the White Sox extended their winning streak to seven games by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 last night. Full story.