Dawn Patrol: Pension talk do-over; jury has robber’s escape case
Pension talks reset with new lawmakers
Lawmakers in Springfield officially ended the term Tuesday without advancing the conversation on pension reform. Lawmakers elected in November will be sworn in today and then head back to the drawing board in solving the massive pension problem. New legislation is expected to be filed today that will reopen the discussion to all previous suggestions, including shifting pension costs to schools. Full story.
Jury to examine guns in bank robbery/escapee case
Jurors will resume deliberations today in the trial of Robert Maday, the man charged with bank robbery, escaping custody and going on a 27-hour crime spree through the Northwest suburbs in September 2009. About an hour into deliberations on the federal charges Tuesday afternoon, jurors asked Judge Ruben Castillo if they could examine the two guns prosecutors say Maday used. Judge Ruben Castillo agreed to let them examine the unloaded, locked guns in the jury room for 90 minutes this morning. Full story.
Convicted murderer now blames ex-girlfriend
A Deerfield man found guilty but mentally ill in the murder of a Vernon Hills woman filed a motion on his own yesterday saying his ex-girlfriend, who is the victim’s daughter, was really responsible for the murder. The motion forced officials to postpone Daniel Baker’s sentencing to determine if he’s fit to be a part of the court proceedings. Full story.
Truck driver killed at Bensenville facility
A semitrailer truck driver was crushed between his truck and another object at Vitran Express and later died from his injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of Martin Sum, 57, of Worth. Full story.
Aurora finance leaders police bonuses
Aurora’s finance panel supports giving each of the city’s 289 officers a $500 bonus to say thank you for finishing 2012 without a single murder. The bonuses will cost $144,500. It’s the city’s first murder-free year since 1946. The full council has yet to approve the measure. Full story.
Elk Grove grad struck by car in Quincy
An Elk Grove Village native remained in critical condition last night after being struck by a car on the campus of Quincy University. Shannon L. Peters, 19, a recent Elk Grove High School graduate, was crossing a road near Garner Hall Monday night when she was hit. She sustained severe head injuries. Full story.
Elk Grove OK’s ‘largest public works project’
The Elk Grove Village board last night authorized issuing $38 million in general obligation bonds to fund sewer and drainage improvements throughout the village’s residential areas and business park. The money will fund repairs and upgrades of the stormwater drainage system, including improving drainage ditches and culverts at an estimated cost of $27 million, and improvements to the lining of sanitary sewers to extend their useful life at an estimated cost of $11 million. “It will be the largest public works project that we’ve ever done in the village,” Mayor Craig Johnson said. Full story.
Weather
Clear and warm with a high temperature of 45 degrees this afternoon. Temperatures are already way above normal at 36 degrees, and will dip back to 29 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
An earlier crash on the Kennedy is out of the way, leaving no problems at 6 a.m. However, the warmer weather is expected to cause heavier than normal congestion during rush hour later. More traffic.
Milwaukee boots Skiles quickly, too
Much like his tenure with the Bulls in 2007, Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Scott Skiles is no more after only a few months into the season. The Bucks have given Skiles the boot and replaced him with Jim Boylan. Skiles coached seven more games with Bucks than the Bulls. Full story.