Dawn Patrol: Pedophile gets 50 years; safe driving gets two teens cars
Des Plaines pedophile sentenced to 50 years in prison
A Des Plaines man convicted of molesting 11 children of friends, relatives and co-workers was sentenced yesterday to 50 years in prison. Bobby Cruz, 34, photographed himself abusing the children ages 2 to 11 in places ranging from a friend's home to a pumpkin patch and Great America. Full story.
Safe driving pays off for two high school seniors
Making a pledge to drive safe paid off for a couple of seniors at suburban high schools Tuesday. Elk Grove High School senior Yanni Gaglos and Ryan Carolan of Grayslake North High School each won a car after maintaining a yearlong promise to drive sober, not text from behind the wheel and wear their seat belts. Full story.
Del Mar, Cleveland will battle for Cook GOP post
Cook County Republican Party Chairman Aaron Del Mar faces a challenge for the post from Chicago GOP vice chairman Chris Cleveland when the party meets today to pick its leader in Illinois' biggest county. County party organizations across the state will meet today to pick their leaders, and the suburbs will see a handful of contested battles. Full story.
Illinois Tea Party members call for GOP mutiny
Even as Illinois Republican Party leaders planned their local conventions this week, a gathering of about 250 people plotted a GOP mutiny in St. Charles last night. Republican politicians at all levels on the November ballot joined local Tea Party members to celebrate the deadline for filing federal income taxes. But the annual gathering served as a more of a rally to encourage Tea Party adherents to fill as many local Republican precinct committeemen slots as possible. Full story.
Huntley teen who crashed into townhouses was not licensed
A 17-year-old Huntley resident who drove an SUV into two townhouses Monday afternoon was not licensed to drive. The unidentified teen was charged yesterday with not having a valid driver's license and failing to reduce his speed to avoid an accident after striking two townhouse units, a car parked in a driveway and a gas meter before becoming embedded in the garage of another unit. Full story.
Gambling proponent doesn't have a favored plan
The Democrat pushing for more gambling in Illinois says he's not yet picked whether to push forward with a plan just for a Chicago casino or one that also would include slots at Arlington International Racecourse and a casino in Lake County. State Rep. Bob Rita, a Blue Island Democrat, met with the Daily Herald editorial board yesterday in advance of today's scheduled daylong House committee hearing in Chicago on both plans. Full story.
Suburbs see benefits to them in Amtrak service to Rockford
Elgin leaders are expecting "unprecedented growth" in business with the anticipated Amtrak service between Rockford and Chicago starting next year, while Huntley officials say the new rail line might help them obtain a long-envisioned commuter train service in town. The proposed route would use Metra's Milwaukee District-West Line and connect to the Union Pacific Railroad near Big Timber Road in Elgin. Stops are planned in Elgin, Huntley and Belvidere. Full story.
Weather
Mostly clear but only 27 degrees when you head out the door this morning. Temperatures are expected to reach 55 degrees this afternoon, before dropping back to 40 degrees tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues on Route 120 near McHenry between North River Road and IL. Route 31. People should expect delays in that area. Full traffic.
Cubs-Yankees to play doubleheader today
The New York Yankees, seeing continued bad weather in the forecast, postponed last night's scheduled interleague game against the Cubs at Yankee Stadium. The two teams will make it up this afternoon as part of a day-night doubleheader. Game 1 begins at 12:05 CDT while the second game gets underway at the regularly scheduled time of 6:05. Full story.
Pierzynski questions Konerko's inaction
Considering they were White Sox teammates from 2005 to 2012, A.J. Pierzynski knows Paul Konerko as well as anyone in baseball. Now playing for the Red Sox, Pierzynski said it was odd not seeing Konerko's name in the White Sox' starting lineup last night. Full story.