Weekend in Review: Fire damages home; Opening Day for Cubs, Sox

A new yardstick for assessing kindergartners

Ten suburban school districts are piloting a new assessment of kindergartners that asks teachers to monitor students and document their everyday activities. It's as much about kids' behavioral development as academics. “It's going to put kindergarten back where it should be,” said Julie Kallenbach, director of early learner initiatives at Elgin Area School District U-46. “It's going to make us pay attention to play.” Full story.

For Elgin man, Monday marks 60th Sox opener

A lifelong White Sox fan, Frank Gambro attended the 1953 home opener at Comiskey Park and saw his hero, Jungle Jim Rivera, score the only run in a 1-0 victory. Gambro hasn't missed an Opening Day on the South Side in the 60 years since. Multiple generations of Gambros plan to be at Monday's home opener, which they say has become an annual family holiday. Full story.

Post-crash fire killed trooper; trucker ticketed

An Illinois state trooper from Vernon Hills who was killed in the line of duty early Friday morning died in the post-crash fire and the trucker who struck his vehicle has been ticketed for improper lane usage, authorities said Saturday. Meanwhile, funeral arrangements have been finalized for trooper James Sauter, 28. The wake is today and the funeral is Tuesday in Palos Heights. Full story.

Judge gives green light to Islamic center in DuPage County

A federal judge reversed a DuPage County Board's decision to deny an Islamic group's request to build an educational center near Naperville. U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer found in her Friday ruling no evidence that the county board denied the permit on the basis of discrimination, but found its decision to be “arbitrary and capricious.” Full story.

Carol Stream library board race bitter

Libraries are supposed to be quiet places, but in Carol Stream, the local library is ground zero for one of the most contentious elections this year in DuPage County. Voters will get to choose from 10 candidates — running on two slates — for five positions. The outcome will determine the direction the library takes for the 39,000 residents it serves. Full story.

Local offices can launch political careers

As hopefuls for local offices shake hands and urge their neighbors to head to the polls in the waning days of their campaigns, the winners could be setting themselves up for future bids for higher office. If they do a good job. And if they want it. “Everybody's reasons for getting into politics are different,” former Des Plaines mayor and current state Rep. Mary Moylan said. Full story. Full story.

Classmates help ECC nursing student after fire

Classmates of a student in Elgin Community College's nursing program are rallying to help the colleague stay in school following the total loss of all her belongings in a West Chicago house fire Thursday. “That family was there for me when I needed it,” fellow student Brittany Von Eyser said. “Now I have an opportunity to pay it back.” Full story.

Group forms to tackle problems with Bangs Lake channels

A group of Wauconda residents concerned about the quality and depth of the channels leading to Bangs Lake are working with local officials and other agencies to solve the problems. “We do recognize it's going to be an incremental job,” resident Ken Siwieck said. Full story.

Outgoing Mt. Prospect mayor looks forward to retirement

Mount Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilks will step down from the post after the upcoming election, ending a career of more than 25 years of service to the village. Wilks said she's confident the village has a bright future ahead of it, and she looks forward to devoting more time to her creative writing projects. “I think we've come really far, and during some extremely difficult economic times,” she said. Full story.

Campaigning in Pingree Grove causes controversy

A Pingree Grove village board candidate was asked to leave a gated community while he was campaigning door-to-door last week. It turns out he should have been allowed to stay, the village attorney said. Full story.

Hazing scandals addressed in Dist. 207 board race

Maine Township High School District 207 school board hopefuls say district staff, administration and students need more education and training to recognize and prevent hazing after recent scandals at Maine West High School in Des Plaines. Full story.

Fire tears through St. Charles home

A St. Charles home was left uninhabitable Sunday after fire swept through the three-story structure. Nobody was home at the time, and no injuries were reported. The cause remains under investigation, but arson is not suspected. Full story.

World & Nation

Texas DA slain in his home; armed himself. Full story.

Study shows Shakespeare as ruthless businessman. Full story.

High court poised to upend civil rights policies. Full story.

Rivals prepare for legal battle over abortion bans. Full story.

Washington, Colorado bars test limits of legal pot laws. Full story.

Tech firms bumping up perks to recruit, retain. Full story.

Sports

Blackhawks smoke Red Wings. Full story.

Bulls rally to beat Pistons. Full story.

Our baseball experts' predictions for 2013. Full story.

It's not all doom and gloom for Cubs. Full story.

Reasons why White Sox will be better in 2013. Full story.

Louisville guard resting after shocking injury. Full story.

Michigan represents Big Ten in Final Four. Full story.