Weekend in Review: Driver attacked; Deng done as Bull?
DCFS campaign emphasizes anti-hazing message
A year after the suburban hazing scandal at Maine West High School, the state agency responsible for safeguarding the welfare of children is renewing its push to educate school districts about the state's “mandated reporter” law and to empower students to speak up about abuse. “We've reached an estimated 1.5 million students statewide so far. It's an effort to speak directly to the students. ... It's also a message for (mandated reporters),” DCFS spokeswoman Karen Hawkins said.
On Mt. Prospect block, 'Tommy Tree' reaps harvest of goodwill
A tree planted in memory of a teen has grown into a living monument that brings an entire Mount Prospect neighborhood together. “We were handed this legacy,” Lorelei McDermott says, noting the neighborhood spirit has been passed from elders to parents to kids, some of whom move back as parents on their way to becoming elders. “We're teaching them how to do it, how to be a block,” Renae McGovern says. “Is this like Mayberry or what?” Full story.
Wheeling rape conviction overturned
The Illinois Appellate Court has overturned the conviction of a 35-year-old man convicted of breaking into a Wheeling condominium and raping a woman in 2010. Matthew Schaffer had been sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2011. But on Wednesday, the appeals court, by a unanimous decision, sent the matter back to circuit court for another trial, Schaffer's attorney, Ralph Meczyk, confirmed Friday night. “I'm pleased,” Meczyk said. Full story.
Des Plaines business taking aid to tornado-ravaged town
Sean Sandona, whose company will deliver hundreds of boxes of supplies to Washington, Ill., this weekend, can empathize with the tornado-ravaged community. Five and a half years ago, he stood outside the ruins of his Lake Zurich home, realizing he had nothing other than what family members could give him in the short term. Full story.
Police: Streamwood man tried to hit driver repeatedly with car. Full story.
Paper plane world record falls short.Full story.
A look at Illinois' pension crisis, proposed fix. Full story.
Dancing in Batavia streets after state football title. Full story.
Itasca native to hunter killers' ghosts on Syfy network. Full story.
World & Nation
NYC train derailment kills 4. Full story.
White House: On track for health care website goal. Full story.
IRS could determine if Affordable Care Act succeeds. Full story.
In God we trust? Maybe but not each other. Full story.
States compete for Boeing assembly line. Full story.
Record crowds over weekend, but spending declined. Full story.
Tech tethers employees to work 24/7. Full story.
Officials: Speed a factor in crash that killed Paul Walker. Full story.
Carrie Underwood steps into Julie Andrews' iconic role. Full story.
Sports
Bears' playoff hopes on life support after loss. Full story.
Just no way to figure out this Bears loss. Full story.
Gould, Trestman, leaky defense all lead to defeat. Full story.
Sluggish first half not acceptable, McCown says. Full story.
Will Deng be ex-Bull by season's end? Full story.
Whole lot to love about Hawks' trip. Full story.