Dawn Patrol: Hundreds in Dist. 214 refuse PARCC; FBI body-part raid details

District 214 superintendent: Hundreds of students refusing PARCC tests

Hundreds of students have refused to take the new PARCC tests in Northwest Suburban High School District 214, meaning the district likely will not meet the 95 percent testing threshold set by the state. Superintendent David Schuler said while the staff has encouraged students to take the test, many across the district's six high schools refused, echoing a nationwide trend of students boycotting the newly implemented testing. Full story.

Affidavit details why FBI raided Rosemont body donation firm

When federal authorities raided the Rosemont offices of a body donation firm and its Schiller Park crematorium earlier this year, they were looking for evidence about allegations the company sold body parts illegally, a search warrant has revealed. While officials from Biological Resource Center of Illinois told families that donated bodies would be used only for medical research and not be sold, donor families told FBI agents they were misled about how the bodies would be used. Full story.

College of DuPage board signs off on deal with PR firm

A Chicago-based public relations firm has been working this month to help respond to controversies at the College of DuPage, but it wasn't until last night that college trustees signed off on the deal. "They should not be hiring a public relations firm at all," said Trustee Kathy Hamilton, the lone "no" vote in a 6-1 vote to retain Res Publica Group by and through the college's legal counsel. "The public relations firm should be hired by the college, if we feel we need one - not through the lawyers. So it's absurd. It's just absurd." Full story.

Farnham apologizes, gets 8 years in prison for child porn

Disgraced former state Rep. Keith Farnham could spend up to eight years in prison after being sentenced on child pornography charges, though his attorney says he'll likely die in the next few months due to his declining health. Farnham, 67, who begins serving his sentence May 19, apologized to the victims "of these horrendous crimes" depicted in the photos and videos, saying, "I apologize for my gross misjudgment in viewing these images online." Full story.

Weather

Friday is starting with temperatures around 40 degrees, but as the day progresses the suburbs could hit the mid 50s with mostly sunny skies. Keep an eye on the forecast this weekend though because cold and snow might be making a return to the area on Sunday night. Full story.

Advice to new Naperville cops: 'Be another George Pradel'

Naperville's iconic Officer Friendly, Mayor George Pradel, was honored by police for advocating for children, teaching them about safety and serving Naperville with his whole heart, while receiving the Dick Tracy Top Cop Award. The award came as a surprise to the retiring mayor, who thought he was only stopping by the municipal center to swear in new officers yesterday. "My heart is blessed," he said. Full story.

Rauner meeting leaves mayors feeling better about income tax fund loss

Some suburban mayors say they walked into a meeting with Gov. Bruce Rauner yesterday filled with trepidation about possibly losing half their share of state income tax dollars, but left feeling optimistic about how the governor's long-term plans may refill those local budget holes. The meeting at Campton Hills village offices was a frank discussion, said Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns. "Nobody held back. As this process continues I'm more confident than ever the lines of communication have been opened." Full story.

Traffic

An accident involving a car and a dump truck on the eastbound Elgin-O'Hare Expressway between Gary and Wright is causing traffic around 6:45 a.m. Also, a multicar crash on Route 176 in Libertyville near Lamb's Farm at Bradley is causing congestion. Full report.

March Madness tips off with upsets

College basketball's round of 64 team tournament featured 16 games Thursday, and already, many brackets were busted. Upset winners included UAB over Iowa State, and Georgia State over Baylor. Among teams in the Midwest, Notre Dame and Butler advanced to the next round. Another slate of 16 games are on tap for Friday. Full coverage.