Dawn Patrol: Pension vote; Tower Lakes teen 2nd in spelling bee
State Senate rejects sweeping public pension cuts
The Illinois Senate rejected a sweeping package of public employee pension cuts last night, possibly leaving lawmakers without a path forward on the state’s biggest financial pressure and almost no time to find one. Full story
Tower Lakes teen takes 2nd in national spelling bee
Competing in his third National Spelling Bee, 13-year-old Pranav Sivakumar of Tower Lakes said he was no longer nervous. It showed. Pranav took second place in the in the 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee last night. Pranav was tripped up by “cyanophycean,” the word for a blue-green algae. Full story
Poll Vault: How would you do in a spelling bee?
Could you come close to what Pranav did in the National Spelling Bee? Have you won a local spelling bee yourself? Leave a comment with Michelle Holdway’s Poll Vault.
Heavy rain, flooding could hit
The risk for more severe weather is expected to last into Saturday. The National Weather Service said yesterday “several rounds of heavy rainfall” is possible through Saturday. It calls for as many as 2 to 3 inches of rain. The weather service also expanded its flash flood watch through Saturday evening for the counties of Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane and Will. Full story
In the meantime
Cloudy with highs of 66 degrees as you head out the door this morning. Temperatures will climb to 82 degrees this afternoon and dip back to 68 degrees overnight. Full story.
Elgin police arrest 22 in drug sweep
The accused ringleader of a heroin-dealing crew based in Elgin’s Poplar Creek neighborhood was arrested yesterday during a police drug sweep that targeted about 65 people in Elgin, ranging from first-time offenders to career criminals, police said. Full story
Lake County election change sent to Quinn
A proposal that would take election supervision away from Lake County Clerk Willard Helander and give it to a new five-member board was approved by the Illinois House last night and sent to Gov. Pat Quinn for final review. Full story
Palatine grandmother convicted of DUI
A Rolling Meadows jury deliberated less than two hours before finding a 53-year-old Palatine grandmother guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol. Jeanine Jenkins was intoxicated on April 23, 2012, when she picked up her 1-year-old granddaughter from a day care center and drove away after striking a parked car, said Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Shilpa Patel during closing arguments yesterday in Rolling Meadows. Full story
Arlington Heights man faces new sex abuse charges
An Arlington Heights man already accused of sexually abusing three teenage girls faces new charges related to one of his accusers. Full story
Burglary suspect arrested in Villa Park
Based on surveillance video, a 21-year-old homeless man has been charged in connection with two burglaries that occurred this week in Villa Park. Amr Ahmad Daoud is charged with two counts of felony burglary. On Wednesday, Villa Park police responded to two burglaries that occurred overnight. Full story
Traffic
Roadwork continues in East Dundee on Van Buren Street between IL Route 72 and William Street, also on Elgin Avenue between Barrington Road and the south corporate limits of the village. The work will last through November. Full story.
Cubs pitcher Wood hits grand slam in 8-3 win over Sox
Cubs pitcher Travis Wood hit a fourth-inning grand slam off Jake Peavy and allowed two runs in six innings to lead the way in an 8-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field on Thursday. Full story
Get ready for Suburban Chicago’s Got Talent auditions
Auditions for the second Suburban Chicago’s Got Talent start next week — and the judges have some tips to help participants stand out from the pack. Full story