Dawn Patrol: Suspect in Palatine girl's murder in court; bandit strikes again
Palatine man accused in teen's 1997 slaying in court today
James P. Eaton, 36, is scheduled to appear in court this morning on charges of first-degree murder and hiding a corpse in the 1997 slaying of Amber Creek. Eaton, a Fremd High School graduate, came to investigators' attention in late February after a crime lab in Oklahoma matched his thumbprints with those left on a bag Amber's killer wrapped over her head, Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said yesterday. Full story.
Employee charged with theft from Lake County philanthropist
A prominent Lake County philanthropist and son of a printing magnate and commercial real estate developer was the victim of identity theft and financial exploitation by an employee, authorities said yesterday. John Cuneo Jr. could have been exploited for up to $100,000 by a Lake County woman who is expected to stand trial in June, authorities said. Full story.
Man accused of Zion murders convicted in Virginia
Jorge Torrez, 25, could face a death sentence for what prosecutors say was just one of a series of violent, stalking attacks on young women. The former Marine accused of killing two young Zion girls in 2005 was convicted in Virginia of first-degree murder in a 2009 slaying of a fellow service member. Full story.
After Antioch woman's murder, House OK's GPS monitoring of suspects
State lawmakers approved legislation to let judges authorize tracking someone with a GPS device as part of an order of protection. The measure comes in response to an Antioch's woman's killing last year. Full story.
Hooded Bandit strikes again in Bensenville
The Hooded Bandit - suspected of robbing five banks in DuPage and Cook counties in the past year - has struck again in Bensenville, authorities said yesterday. The FBI continues to offer a $50,000 for information on a suspect who made a "quiet but threatening demand" for money at the Chase Bank branch in Bensenville Monday afternoon, authorities say. Full story.
First Campton Hills clerk remembered
Carolyn Higgins, who served as the first village clerk in Campton Hills since its incorporation in 2007, has died after a battle with cancer. Friends and former colleagues are remembering her dedication to the post ahead of a memorial Saturday at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Campton Hills. Full story.
Weather
Clear but cool to start with temperatures hovering at about 35 degrees. Temperatures will climb to 64 degrees this afternoon before dipping back to 47 degrees overnight tonight. Full weather.
Traffic
Construction continues on Rollins Road in Round Lake Beach between Route 45 and Route 83. People should expect delays. Full traffic.
Jackson struggles in Cubs loss to Pirates
Pitcher Edwin Jackson lasted less than five innings last night in the Cubs' 7-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first night game of the season at Wrigley Field. Bruce Miles reports.