Dawn Patrol: Hoffman Estates boy, Mt. Prospects girl death cases
Breaking news: Crews fight Elburn barn blaze
Elburn firefighters were called to the scene of a barn fire about 9:45 Monday morning at a property in the 6N500 block of Route 47 near Lily Lake.
No other information was available as firefighters fought the blaze, but check back at dailyherald.com or read Tuesday’s Daily Herald for details.
Hoffman Estates boy’s death remains under investigation
Police continue to investigate the death of an 11-year-old Hoffman Estates boy who died Saturday afternoon after he was found unconscious and not breathing in his back yard. Police are referring to the case as a “death investigation.” Reports indicated the boy was found bleeding with a puncture wound to his chest, which was not from a gunshot. Full story.
4-month-old dies after found unconscious at day care center
Officials are trying to determine whether a day care center where a 4-month-old Mount Prospect girl died was licensed. Anna Belle Chung was found unresponsive inside a Hoffman Estates home, which the day care center was run out of, on Wednesday and was pronounced dead Saturday morning. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. Police are investigating allegations of abuse. Full story.
Family, friends pay tribute to West Chicago mayor
Friends, relatives and colleagues packed a gymnasium to pay tribute to West Chicago Mayor Michael Kwasman, who died last week after suffering a heart attack. The tribute was held at Community High School in West Chicago for the 65-year-old longtime West Chicago resident and public servant. “Today, we are celebrating the life of a great man,” said Gene Frost, leader of Wheaton Academy and a friend of Kwasman’s. Full story.
Officials angered after teens raft over deadly Elgin dam
Two teens were charged after plunging over a deadly dam in downtown Elgin twice over the weekend in an inflatable raft. The Kimball Street dam on the Fox River is nicknamed “the drowning machine,” fire officials said. The boys were lucky the water level was low, or they might have been killed, officials said. Two Elgin firefighters died during a rescue attempt at the location in 1972, and a Schaumburg man drowned there in 1995. Full story.
Blackhawks prepare for Game 6
After beating the Coyotes on the Arizona team’s home ice Saturday, the Blackhawks will be back at the United Center at tonight looking for a win in a crucial Game 6. Down 3 games to 2 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Hawks will again fight the Coyotes at 8 p.m. — and has the Coyotes’ confidence taken a hit? Full story.
Traffic
Traffic is beginning to slow in a few areas as the Monday commute continues. Eastbound I-90 begins slowing west of Route 59 until Barrington Road and again at Arlington Heights Road on in to the loop. A stretch northbound 294 around North Avenue and the eastbound Elgin-O’Hare Expressway between Irving Park Road and Route 53 are backing up as well. Full traffic.
Weather
Skies are clear and the morning is starting off at 39 degrees, but it feels like 33. The high for the day should be 55 degrees and it’s expected to be partly sunny and breezy. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning for Cook County until 7 p.m., which means “any small fire may spread quickly and become a wildfire” because of low humidity and high winds. Full weather.
Rozner: Blackhawks need to get to the net
The Blackhawks are set for tonight’s do-or-die game 6, behind in the series 3 games to 2. Daily Herald columnist Barry Rozner takes a look at the numbers from the series and comes to the conclusion that the Hawks must get traffic to and in front of the net. The Hawks are leading the NHL averaging 40.4 shots per postseason game, but have not been lighting the lamp nearly enough. Phoenix is second in the postseason averaging 21.8 shot blocks per game. Full story.
McGraw demotes Rose to 2nd-team All-NBA
With the NBA regular season winding down this week, Bulls beat writer Mike McGraw has announced his picks for the leaguewide awards and has demoted Bulls star Derrick Rose to the second-team All-NBA. “Should Derrick Rose be demoted from the first team since he’s missed 26 games with injuries? Considering the strength at the guard position, yes,” McGraw argues. He gives the nod to Kevin Durant over LeBron James for MVP. Full story.