Dawn Patrol: Minivan hits house; Illini vs. Indiana today
Minivan collides into Carol Stream home
The driver of a minivan that smashed through the wall of a house in Carol Stream yesterday afternoon was being treated at a hospital today, though the person’s condition is unknown. Five residents who were home at the time — including two children — were unharmed in the crash, while a child passenger in the car was also uninjured. Authorities said the vehicle left the roadway, rumbled through backyards, and entered the home’s living room and dining room, before it came to a stop in the kitchen. Full story.
Mom sues furniture manufacturer over son’s death
A Barrington Hills mother whose 2-year-old son died in 2011 after a child’s dresser fell on top of him is suing the furniture’s manufacturer and local distributor. Lisa Siefert filed suit against manufacturer Gemme Juvenile Inc. of Princeville, Quebec, in Canada; the now dissolved Illinois business FurnitureKidz Inc.; and the former owners of FurnitureKidz, Robert and Marcia Gilbreth of Inverness. Full story.
U-46 candidates debate charter schools
The six candidates in a race for Elgin Area School District U-46 school board shared their differences on charter schools during a debate last night. Gary Percy and Frank Napolitano spoke out in complete support of charter schools, while the rest of the candidates — current board President Donna Smith, and challengers Linda Campos-Moreira, Andrew Giggey, Veronica Noland — shared varying opinions, from tentative approval to tentative disapproval. The current school board is expected on Monday to discuss granting a charter to a virtual learning academy. Full story with video.
Sandra Rogers gets 61 years for attempted murder
A Lake County yesterday judge sentenced Sandra Rogers to 61 years in prison for trying to kill her ex-husband and his wife nearly a decade ago. The sentence means Rogers, now 56, will likely spend the rest of her life behind bars. A jury found her guilty last month on four counts of home invasion, two counts of attempted murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder for the May 19, 2003, attack on Rick Rogers and Angela Gloria in their Lincolnshire home. Full story.
Man sentenced in connection with 2008 Aurora murder
A Marseilles man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison yesterday for murder in a cocaine deal gone bad in Aurora in 2008. Raul Saucedo-Cervantes, who turns 33 today, admitted to his role in an Oct. 1, 2008, gunfight that resulted in the death of Hector Valtierrez. Co-defendant Juan M. Herrera was found guilty of the murder in 2011 and is now serving a 46-year prison sentence, but Cervantes is being held legally accountable because he and Herrera were acting together, according to prosecutors. Full story.
St. Francis High School likes new pope’s name
Students, staffers and alumni of St. Francis High School in Wheaton are expressing joy after the new pope decided to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi. “There’s a real love for St. Francis of Assisi and a real commitment at St. Francis High School to living that way, so to see a pope take that name, that’s very exciting for us, that we are kind of walking the same way,” said Diane Mercadante, the high school’s director of pastoral ministry. Full story.
College of Lake County fires illegal immigrant on staff
The College of Lake County board has fired an employee who was suspected of being an illegal immigrant. Board members debated for more than two hours behind closed doors this week before voting in public to terminate her as a children’s learning center worker. Board Chairman Richard Anderson said though the woman was a good employee, it’s likely she used a fake Social Security number to get her job at the school. Full story.
Weather
Some clouds, but right at 32 degrees as you head out the door this morning. Temperatures are expected to rise to 42 degrees later today, but some rain is possible. Temperatures will dip back to 29 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Roadwork continues on Charles J. Miller Road between Green Street and River Road in McHenry. The construction, which lasts through October, also takes place on the Miller Road bridge. Full story.
Is Northwestern’s Carmody on the way out?
Could Thursday’s Northwestern basketball game against Iowa have been the last for head coach Bill Carmody? After 13 years at the helm and still no NCAA bid, Carmody said after the Wildcats’ 73-59 loss to the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten tournament he didn’t want to discuss his job status. But he did say he would be meeting with Athletic Director Jim Phillips in the next few days. Full story.
Illini advance to face Hoosiers
Illinois’ basketball team will face Indiana this morning in round two of the Big Ten tournament at the United Center. The Illini advanced after a dramatic 51-49 victory yesterday over Minnesota thanks to Brandon Paul’s fadeaway jumper at the buzzer. “I didn’t want to lose. We worked too hard to get to this point,” said Paul, who tallied 25 points. Full story.
Hawks end losing streak
The Blackhawks ended their two-game losing streak with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets last night. Patrick Kane set up Johnny Oduya’s goal late in the second period and then got the decisive score in the shootout. Corey Crawford stopped 29 shots for the Hawks. Full story.