Dawn Patrol: Procession for fallen Wauconda officer; hospital merger?
Procession honors Wauconda police officer Eric Schultz
A Wauconda police officer who died last weekend after a long battle with cancer was honored with a procession by law enforcement through the village last night. Police, fire and municipal vehicles escorted Eric Schultz's body on a procession through the village that started at Wauconda High School, after a visitation in the school's auditorium. Full story.
Northwestern, Cadence talking about merging
Officials at Northwestern Memorial HealthCare in Chicago and Cadence Health, the parent of Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield and Delnor Hospital in Geneva, have started discussions about a potential merger. The deal, which would require approval from state and federal regulators, is months away, officials said, but if approved, would lead to the formation of one of the largest hospital systems in the region. Full story.
Buffalo Grove police SUV in crash
A Buffalo Grove police SUV was involved in a crash late yesterday afternoon when it was struck from behind by another vehicle, authorities said. The two-vehicle crash occurred in the eastbound lanes of Lake-Cook Road, just west of Raupp Boulevard, about 5:30 p.m., police and fire officials said. Full story.
Office Max to leave Naperville next month
Starting next month, Office Max plans to begin moving 1,600 jobs out of its Naperville location - a move that comes months after Illinois lawmakers declined to give the company the millions in tax breaks it requested from the state. Some jobs will be terminated through a structural reorganization of the company, officials said. The company recently merged with Florida-based Office Depot. Full story.
Final GOP gubernatorial debate subdued
The four Republican candidates for Illinois governor made their cases for becoming the party's nominee last night in their final televised primary debate. The debate between businessman Bruce Rauner, state Treasurer Dan Rutherford and state Sens. Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard had the feeling of a race in its final stretch. Full story.
Kane deputy clerk suspended
Kane County Deputy Clerk Jeff Ward has been suspended for a week without pay after he sent an email from his work computer to a state official to correct a campaign contribution error. Jack Cunningham, who is seeking his fourth term as county clerk, said Ward sent the email on his own time, but still had to be reprimanded. Challenger Mark Davoust called the matter unacceptable and possibly illegal. Full story.
'Vote-buying' in 8th District GOP race?
The founder of a nonprofit aimed at encouraging greater Indian-American participation in the electoral process is denying allegations that a recent effort to get people to early voting constituted illegal "vote-buying" or encouraged support for 8th Congressional District Republican candidate Manju Goel. The campaign of Goel's primary opponent, Larry Kaifesh, claims the actions are a violation of state and federal law. Full story.
Judge denies Kane prosecutors' request in animal neglect case
Kane County Associate Judge Elizabeth Flood has declined a prosecutor's request to have a woman facing charges of animal cruelty and neglect immediately put up $36,786 to pay for the county's cost of caring for the animals. Stacy Fiebelkorn's attorney argued she had just received a 78-page police report on the case Tuesday and other materials yesterday and was not ready to respond to the request. Full story.
Palatine man killed in Ohio Turnpike crash
Authorities have identified a Palatine man as one of the victims of a deadly car pileup this week in Ohio. Grzegorz A. Piwowarczyk, 42, was driving a commercial vehicle on the Ohio Turnpike, where a weather-related chain-reaction crash involving 16 vehicles occurred Wednesday. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and 40 to start the morning. Temperatures are expected to reach 53 degrees this afternoon, then drop back to 28 degrees overnight. Full weather.
Traffic
A traffic signal modernization project is expected to kick off on IL Route 59 between Main Street and Washington Street in West Chicago Monday, March 24. People should expect heavy delays and should use alternate routes. Full traffic.
NU, Illinois advance
Northwestern became the first 11th-seed to win in the Big Ten Tournament with a 67-62 victory last night over No. 6 Iowa. The Wildcats will face Michigan State in a quarterfinal game today. The 9th-seeded Illini defeated Indiana earlier in the day 64-54 and will face No. 1-seeded Michigan today. DePaul's 84-62 defeat at the hands of Creighton in the Big East Tournament likely means its season is over.
Bulls defeat Rockets
The Bulls received a boost from Mike Dunleavy, who scored all of his 21 points in the second half last night, and led to a victory over the Houston Rockets 111-87. Joakim Noah finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes. Full story.