Dawn Patrol: Gambling expansion yes, pension reform no

Article updated: 6/1/2012 8:59 AM

Illinois House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego shows signs of stress while testifying during a House pension committee hearing at the Illinois State Capitol yesterday.

Associated Press

Efforts to repair the states public pension system before last nights midnight deadline died as Democrats and Republicans could not reconcile proposals that would require suburban school districts to pay more out of their own budgets for teachers retirement. Lawmakers could extend their spring session into summer, but starting today, legislation that takes effect immediately will require more votes to pass. Full story.

A major gambling expansion plan including slot machines at Arlington Park and casinos in Lake County and in Chicago is headed to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn. The plan passed just hours before the General Assembly adjourned their annual session. An aide from Quinns office said the plan does not address the governors concerns over a lack of ethical oversight, but legislators said the plan included late additions that would further the ethics of the bill. Full story.

An Aurora man who broke five of his dogs teeth and left the animal bleeding from her nose has been sentenced to a year in prison for the November 2010 attack. Phillip Rinn, 43, had previously served jail time in the 1990s for killing his dog by running it over. He served 60 days in 1993 after admitting to chaining and dragging his dog behind his vehicle. Full story.

An attorney representing the family of a 20-year-old Minnesota man who was found unresponsive in Kane County jail and later died wants to have his doctor perform a second autopsy on the man. The Kane County sheriffs department said Keith Renfroe Jr. suffered self-inflicted injuries but said the man did not hang himself. The familys attorney claims sheriffs deputies gave the family a different story, saying Renfroe Jr. hung himself. I think theres some pretty significant confusion about what the hell happened here, said attorney Michael Padden. Full story.

Friends, family and teachers are remembering 11-year-old Jose Antonio Zamudio, who was struck and killed by a vehicle in Round Lake, as an inquisitive, witty and eager-to-learn boy. Zamudio was riding his bike across Rollins Road when he was struck by a pickup truck Wednesday night, having just started his summer vacation a day before. Its such a shame, said Constance Collins, superintendent of Round Lake Area Unit District 116. Teachers said he was a wonderful student, was well-liked by his friends and staff members, and will be truly missed. Full story.

Mostly cloudy skies with a possible lingering shower will remain throughout the day. Its about 51 degrees right now, but should reach the mid-60s by the end of the day. Temperatures will drop back to about 50 degrees over night, but temperatures will increase throughout the weekend to 80 degrees on Sunday. Full story.

Police and rescue officials are on the scene of an accident on Euclid Avenue and Quentin Road in Palatine, and another on Plank Road and U.S. Route 20 near Pingree Grove. Motorists in Naperville should find an alternate route around Book Road between 111th Street and 87th Street due to road construction. Full story.

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Dawn Patrol: Gambling expansion yes, pension reform no