Dawn Patrol: Candidate wants a property tax; Big Ten women’s tourney
Carol Stream candidate wants to implement property tax
Carol Stream is one of the few municipalities in Illinois that does not have its own property tax. But village board candidate Angelo Christopher says he favors a local property tax because he believes if residents don’t start paying now, their kids will have to in the future. Full story.
Elgin gives preliminary OK to video gambling
The Elgin City Council’s committee of the whole on Wednesday night OK’d amending two ordinances — one in the municipal code, the other in the liquor code — that currently prohibit video gambling in Elgin. The changes are expected to be up for final approval by the city council on March 20. Full story.
Police officer downplays ‘hero’ talk
Evanston police officer Sean O’Brien has been called a hero for entering in icy river earlier this week to rescue a 7-year-old boy in Des Plaines. O’Brien said Wednesday that while he’s flattered by the comment, he’s also reluctant to accept the label. Full story.
No fee increase in Grayslake school district
Grayslake Elementary District 46 board members have rejected a recommendation to raise school fees as part of an effort to close a projected $2.2 million budget hole for the next academic year. District 46 Superintendent Ellen Correll pitched the idea of a $10 fee hike for students in kindergarten through eighth grade starting in 2013-14. Full story.
Aurora man convicted of sexually assaulting child
An Aurora man faces at least 12 years in prison after he was convicted Wednesday of sexually preying on a child he knew, according to Kane County state’s attorney’s office. Between September 2010 and March 2011, Ruben Betance-Lopez, 61, of the 700 block of Fourth Avenue, had sexual contact with a girl who was 6 years old at the time. Full story.
Gun supporters lobby lawmakers
Throngs of gun rights supporters converged on the Illinois Capitol Wednesday afternoon to speak to lawmakers as part of an annual lobby day sponsored by the Illinois State Rifle Association. Participants in the Illinois Gun Owner’s Lobby Day were encouraged to seek out their local lawmakers and share their views on pending gun-related legislation. Full story.
Did Grafton Twp. supervisor have authority to void check?
Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore acknowledges she voided a $300,000 check meant for the road district so she could make payroll and pay off township bills. The board was scheduled to hold a special meeting the next day to deal with those issues, but Moore acted on her own a day earlier. But Pam Fender and James Kearns, who are running for township supervisor, question the legality of what was done. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy to start this morning, but the sun will come out and temperatures will increase to 35 degrees later this afternoon. Temperatures will dip back to 24 degrees tonight, before shooting up to 41 degrees tomorrow. Full story.
Traffic
Roadwork continues on Van Buren Street between Route 72 and William Street and on Elgin Avenue between Barrington Road and the southern corporate limits of East Dundee. People should find alternate routes around these areas. Full story.
Blackhawks win 11th straight, extend points streak
Daniel Carcillo scored the tiebreaking goal with 49.3 seconds left in regulation and the Blackhawks won their 11th consecutive game, beating the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Wednesday night to extend the best start in NHL history. Jonathan Toews and Andrew Shaw also scored for the Hawks, which reached the halfway point of a lockout-shortened season without losing in regulation. Full story.
Big Ten women’s tournament starts today
The Big Ten women’s basketball tournament runs today through Sunday at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. Daily Herald sports writer Patricia Babcock McGraw takes a team-by-team look at the schools in the tournament. Full story.