Dawn Patrol: Huge pollution settlement includes West Chicago
Environmental settlement includes former West Chicago sites
The federal government has reached a $5.15 billion settlement with Anadarko Petroleum Corp., the largest ever for environmental contamination, to settle claims related to the cleanup of thousands of sites - including some in West Chicago - tainted with hazardous chemicals for decades. "It's nice to get justice, and some money," said Rich Kassanits, a West Chicago resident who helped form the Thorium Action Group with neighbors in the late 1980s. Full story.
Limo driver carrying students to prom guilty of DUI
A limousine driver pleaded guilty yesterday to driving drunk while busing 23 high school students to their prom near Glen Ellyn. The blood alcohol content was twice the legal threshold for Richard L. Madison, 55, of Palos Heights. He was arrested May 11, 2013, after delivering a group of Oswego East High School teens to Abbington Banquets in a party bus. Full story.
3 hurt in St. Charles-area rollover crash
Three people were taken to the hospital with injuries as a result of a crash last night near St. Charles, authorities said. The two-car crash, in which one of the vehicles rolled over, occurred about 8 p.m. at Route 64 and Dean Street. Full story.
Vallas doesn't want local schools to pay for pensions
Paul Vallas, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, says he doesn't like the idea of making local school districts pay more of the cost of their teachers' and administrators' retirements. Gov. Pat Quinn's running mate told the Daily Herald editorial board he's not a fan of asking local schools to pay more. "I don't support that at all," said Vallas, former Chicago Public Schools CEO. Full story.
Waukegan man receives 59-year sentence for murder
A 21-year-old Waukegan man will spend up to 59 years in prison for helping to torture and murder another man in 2011, then helping to dump his body in the Penny Road Pond in unincorporated Cook County near Barrington. Lake County Judge Mark Levitt gave down the sentence Thursday in the death of David Campbell. "I want to make it clear to you this sentence is because of your conduct, your actions and your behavior," Levitt said. Full story.
Car-in-pond victim still in critical condition
An Algonquin man remains in the hospital in critical condition after he drove his car into a pond earlier this week. Police say 57-year-old Paul Mellor is unable to talk to them, so they still don't know what led to the accident. Full story.
Hawks put end to losing streak, with Bickell's help
While most of the talk lately had been initially about losing Kane, and now being without Jonathan Toews as well, there's consistently been one guy who's been singing the praises of Bryan Bickell and the way the big forward had been playing just before suffering an upper body injury against the Blues. That would be Hawks coach Joel Quenneville. Bickell and Ben Smith scored to lead the Hawks to a 3-2 shootout win over the Wild last night. Full story.
Weather
Dense fog and misting rain with temperatures of only about 38 degrees. The rain is expected to move out eventually and temperatures will climb to 48 degrees, before dipping back to 32 degrees overnight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues on IL Route 58 between South New Wilke Road and IL Route 62/West Algonquin Road. Delays expected to please seek alternate routes. More traffic.
Cubs get first win
The Cubs are coming into Opening Day today at Wrigley Field having earned their first win under new manager Rick Renteria yesterday in Pittsburgh. Jason Hammel pitched 2-hit ball into the seventh inning and the Cubs edged the Pirates 3-2. Full story.
Sox bullpen implodes
The White Sox may have some offense this year, but their bullpen was unable to hold a lead going into the ninth inning yesterday. New closer Matt Lindstrom yielded a run-scoring single to the Minnesota Twins' Trevor Plouffe and an RBI triple to Oswaldo Arcia, and the Sox lost 10-9. Full story.