Dawn Patrol: Touhy, I-90 lanes reopen after beam kills worker

Beam falls from I-90, killing worker and snarling traffic

Touhy Avenue and all lanes of the Jane Addams Tollway are open again this morning as federal authorities continue investigating why a 40-ton beam fell early yesterday onto Touhy in Des Plaines, killing a Berwyn construction worker and injuring three others. The accident caused massive traffic backups into the evening on the eastbound I-90, where two of the three lanes were shut down. Full story.

Could beam disaster occur again on toll roads?

The Illinois tollway is suspending construction on the I-90 bridge at Touhy Avenue in Des Plaines until the agency is confident "a safe plan is in place to resume," spokesman Dan Rozek said. But with construction continuing on multiple I-90 bridges over busy suburban streets elsewhere, can the public rest easy future disasters won't occur? "Our system is safe," Rozek said. Full story.

Construction worker had wife, four children

The 47-year-old construction worker killed early Tuesday under the Jane Addams Tollway was remembered as an experienced craftsman. Vincente Santoyo, who was married and the father of four, was a 25-year veteran of Laborers Local 225. "He was renowned in the industry for what he does," said Tony Cantone, the union's business manager. Full story.

Body found in Lake Michigan is missing East Aurora High student

A body found in Lake Michigan was identified yesterday as the 18-year-old East Aurora High School student who was swept into the lake in February, authorities said. An autopsy performed yesterday determined Ivan Echevarria died of accidental drowning, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Full story.

Limo company involved in fatal I-90 crash shut down

The Wisconsin-based limousine company involved in a fatal crash on the Jane Addams Tollway near Elgin last month has been shut down after federal investigators determined the carrier poses "an imminent hazard to public safety," authorities said yesterday. Lyons Limousine, of Edgerton, Wisconsin, violated multiple federal safety regulations, officials said, including using a 20-year-old driver even though federal regulations require interstate commercial drivers to be at least 21. Full story.

Newest school plan wouldn't cut suburbs' funds immediately

The latest push to change how the state pays for schools would keep some of the suburbs' wealthier districts from losing money in the first year and phase in a potential decline in revenue after that. The new proposal unveiled by state Sen. Andy Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat, continues a yearslong effort to try to send more state money to schools that don't have the property values to generate as much local tax revenue as in other districts. Full story.

Weather

Rain this morning with temperatures of only 43 degrees. Temperatures will climb to 54 degrees this afternoon, before falling to 37 degrees overnight. Full story.

Traffic

Bridge replacement work is scheduled to reduce Route 31 to a single lane between Crane and Ferson Creek roads in St. Charles until 2017. Traffic is directed through the workzone one direction at a time via temporary signals. Full traffic.

Lester quite comfy as Cubs win 6-1

Jon Lester looked plenty good last night, pitching 7 innings of 4-hit, 1-run ball as the Cubs won 6-1 over the Los Angeles Angels. When asked about the difference from last year in Lester's pitching, skipper Joe Maddon said, "Delivery." Full story by Bruce Miles.

Quintana consistent, White Sox top A's 5-4

Taking the mound in the second game of the season last night against the A's at Oakland Coliseum, Jose Quintana looked a little rusty while pitching 5⅔ innings and allowing 2 runs on 7 hits. But the offense picked Quintana up for a change, as Todd Frazier's 3-run homer off Oakland starter and former White Sox prospect Chris Bassitt in the fifth inning put the White Sox in front. Full story by Scot Gregor.

Blackhawks score early, often

Knowing they needed to beat Arizona to retain a glimmer of hope of gaining home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, the Hawks came out and steamrollered the Coyotes 6-2 last night. Richard Panik, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Andrew Ladd, who scored twice, gave the Hawks a 5-0 lead in less than 35 minutes, writes John Dietz.

Bulls suffer another inexplicable loss

The Chicago Bulls' playoff hopes weren't very good to begin with last night, but this one should erase all doubt. They are not mathematically eliminated, but after a brutal 108-92 loss at Memphis, it's just a matter of time, writes Mike McGraw.