Dawn Patrol: Quick hits as you head out the door

Truck car accident near Fox Lake

Police are at the scene of a possible fatal accident this morning on Route 12 and Molidor Road near Fox Lake. The accident occurred around 6 a.m. A vehicle was broadsided by a gravel truck southbound on Route 12. Police and emergency vehicles are at the scene.

Wind hits suburbs hard

Wind gusts knocked out power to 31,000 people overnight, ComEd officials said. They are reporting only 6,200 customers remain without power as of 4:30 a.m. this morning, with 3,000 of those customers located in the south suburbs. The good news is the winds have slowed down dramatically, with sustained winds in the 15 to 25 mph range with gusts only hitting 25 mph.

911 tapes reveal how neighbors witnessed Prospect Heights murder-suicide

Police have revealed 911 tapes from callers who witnessed a brutal murder-suicide that took place Monday afternoon in the hallway of a Prospect Heights condominium complex. One caller says he saw 42-year-old Dong Yu hanging on to her shooter's hand while he shot her. A second caller from Chicago told police he was on the phone with Yu when he heard screams and somebody attacking her. That someone was her former boss at a Glenview restaurant, Keon Suk Oh, who killed himself shortly after. Full story and tape excerpts.

Tollway employees accused of swindling $25,000

A dozen Illinois tollway employees have been accused of stealing a collective $25,000 in tollway funds such as by insurance fraud or pocketing drivers' money while recording their vehicles as toll-free police and fire vehicles. The four toll collectors alone stole more than $9,000 total. Illinois State Toll officials said administrators need to “let toll collectors know there's a new sheriff in town, and when they're caught, they'll lose their jobs and might go to jail.” Full story.

State GOP officials ‘troubled' by Schmidt 911 tapes

Top Illinois GOP officials said yesterday they are concerned that 911 recordings from both State Sen. Suzi Schmidt and her husband released Wednesday could be used against her planned run for re-election in 2012. “I would say there is concern about the upcoming general election and whether this would be used against her,” said Lake County GOP leader Bob Cook. The state Senate's top Republican, Christine Radogno, called the 911 recordings of Schmit claiming she has “connections” among other statements “extremely troubling.” Asked if they are urging Schmidt to resign, Cook said “Suzi is going to have to decide for herself.” Full story.

Tea Party convention in Schaumburg tomorrow

Herman Cain, the surprise victor in a Florida Republican presidential straw poll, will travel to Schaumburg to try to build momentum at an inaugural Midwest tea party convention Saturday, with fellow tea party contender Michele Bachmann planning to deliver remarks via video conference. The sold-out TeaCon 2011 could have national implications for both Cain and the suburbs. Full story.

Cook County owed $10.2 million in overdue taxes from businesses

Cook County officials are going after businesses that owe the county $10.2 million in overdue taxes on things such as alcohol, gasoline and new car sales. The cash-strapped county is launching an amnesty program that will allow businesses that register to pay overdue taxes and interest dating back four years with no penalties. “We are giving an opportunity to waive many of the required fees so long as they agree to pay these fees going forward,” board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a statement. “We are looking at all possible steps to ensure fair and complete compliance with county ordinances.” Full story.

Rolling Meadows bank robbed

Rolling Meadows police are looking for a man in his 50s who robbed the TCF Bank near the intersection of Algonquin and Golf roads about 4 p.m. yesterday. Authorities said the man slipped a note to a teller while a customer was in the store that implied he had a weapon and demanded the teller hand over cash. Police said the man left with an undisclosed amount of cash. Rolling Meadows police have released surveillance photos of the man. Full story.

Prosecutors seek 140 years for Villa Park killer

DuPage prosecutors are seeking 140 years in prison for the former U.S. Navy recruiter who was convicted of murdering his pregnant wife and unborn son. Authorities said Eric Gilford stabbed his wife 16 times in a rage after she left him. “It's just unfathomable how cruel that is, how vicious it is,” Assistant State's Attorney David Bayer said at Gilford's sentencing hearing yesterday. Gilford pleaded guilty in June to murdering Kristine in her ex-boyfriend's Villa Park apartment in May 2010. Full story.

Lake Forest estate sells for $7.2 million

A Lake Forest estate that was once home to meatpacking magnate A. Watson Armour III and his wife has sold for $7.2 million, but real estate agents question how much higher the property could have gone for before the recession. The 7,800-square-foot house and adjacent 2.5-acre vacant lot were on the market for about 10 months. The buyer of the lakefront home was not identified. “A lot of (properties) here in Lake Forest have been on the market three, four years,” said agent Eleanor Dowling. Full story.

Weather

Windy is the word of the morning. The wind will continue through the morning, but far less intense than overnight. Accuweather is saying that winds will average between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. In addition, a cold front has moved in, leaving a high of only 58 this afternoon and lows in the mid 40s. Full weather.

Traffic

The highways are currently running wide open and mostly delay free, but motorists are warned to continue to use caution on the expressways due to the high winds as a good gust is capable of blowing a car driven by a distracted driver into another lane. People should also avoid construction taking place in on Algonquin Road from I-53 to Arlington Heights Road. Full traffic.

Bears players laud former coach, now Panthers coach Ron Rivera

Formerly a Bears player and five-year assistant coach with the organization, Ron Rivera hopes his first game back versus the Bears Sunday, now as head coach of the Carolina Panthers, will bring at least some cheers from the crowd. “At some point, I just hope to get a nice little applause,” Rivera said. “If not, I understand, because they are Bear fans.” Bears players had high compliments for their former coach, who helped bring them to a Super Bowl in the 2006 season. “He was just the ultimate player's coach,” said Brian Urlacher. “You could talk to him about anything.” Full story.

Coach Q, Hawks players bash ‘head-shot' that knocked out Ben Smith

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville and new Hawk but NHL veteran Sean O'Donnell were still angry about the head shot rookie forward Ben Smith took Wednesday from a Red Wings defenseman and hope the league lays a suspension down. Ben Smith is day-to-day with a likely concussion. “It seemed like when I first broke in the league you would hit hard, but if a guy was in a vulnerable spot you would ease up on him. Now it seems like some of the guys, when guys are in a vulnerable spot, guys' eyes light up,” O'Donnell said. Full story.

Cat with 2 faces thriving

Frank and Louie the cat was born with two faces, two mouths, two noses, three eyes — and lots of doubts about his future. But 12 years later, he's not only thriving, he's also made it into the 2012 edition of Guinness World Records. Full story.