9-year-old Will County boy dies from head trauma

LOCKPORT - A 9-year-old boy died from head trauma Sunday afternoon, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. Aiden Ditola, of the 16700 block of West McKenzie Avenue in an unincorporated area just east of Lockport, was pronounced dead at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital …

State bill targets agenda details from meetings

A proposal making its way through the General Assembly would make it easier for people to decide if they want to have a voice in government decision making. Introduced by Glen Ellyn Republican Rep. Sandra Pihos and cosponsored by Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, House Bill …

Harvey man arrested, another sought in Mokena burglary

MOKENA -- One man was arrested and another was being sought after a tobacco shop was burglarized early Friday.

Cmdr. Dan Rankovich said thieves broke the front window around 2 a.m. to take cigarettes from the business and their vehicle was identified by a witness. …

Suspects wielding bats attack diners at Tinley Park restaurant

Several people were injured Saturday when people wielding bats entered the Ashford House restaurant and began attacking patrons.

Family, friends remember Burbank woman as hunt for husband continues

As police Saturday continued to search for the man accused of stabbing to death Burbank newlywed Estrella Carrera, more than 200 family members and friends said their final goodbyes to the mother of two. Some of the mourners at St. Rita of Cascia Church, 6243 …

New Lenox School Board opposes pension shift

NEW LENOX — The New Lenox School Board urged lawmakers to oppose a measure that could put the responsibility of funding teacher pensions onto individual school districts. If the state legislators approve a cost shift, that could add a nearly $2 million expense to the …

Crime Report for May 20, 2012

Here is a look at crime reports in the Southland. News includes a Mokena man accused of lewd conduct in Orland Park, a patron penalized for peeing in Oak Lawn where Worth and Posen men were chargerd with disorderly conduct, a flasher charged in Oak Lawn, and gunfire narrowly missing children in Chicago Heights.

Drew Peterson murder trial to start at the end of July

When Drew Peterson goes on trial in July on charges he killed his third wife, prosecutors will not be allowed to mention any presumption that his fourth wife might be dead too.

Kadner: Crete detention hearing to include ICE officials

Crete residents for the first time will have a chance Monday to question federal immigration officials about plans to build a 750-bed detention center in their village. U.S. Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2nd) and Luis Gutierrez (D-4th) are hosting a town hall meeting on the …

Police: Ex-Lincoln-Way East teacher under investigation

A former Lincoln-Way East High School teacher is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation, according to the Will County Sheriff’s department.

Sheriff’s spokesman Ken Kaupas declined to specify the nature of the investigation or what prompted it. As of Friday afternoon, no one had …

ManorCare to host open house in Homewood

ManorCare Health Services, 940 S. Maple Ave., Homewood, will host an open house for its newly expanded and renovated rehabilitation unit and gym at 3 p.m. Tuesday. The event will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony officiated by Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld. The short-term rehabilitation …

‘Prank’ fallout: Sandburg plans to seek reimbursement for cleanup costs

A rash of pranks and vandalism earlier this month at Sandburg High School in Orland Park prompted administrators to cancel Friday’s annual senior picnic. One student was charged with disorderly conduct for pulling a fire alarm, and officials said if those responsible for spray-painting graffiti around the school’s campus are identified, the district will seek reimbursement for clean-up costs.

Senate Democrats’ spending plan offers deeper cuts than Quinn proposed

SPRINGFIELD — Senate Democrats on Friday outlined a spending plan that cuts deeper than Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget proposal, shaving about $250 million more from areas such as human services and public safety — but Republicans contended still more cuts were needed.

Driver charged with felony in Lake Shore Drive hit-and-run

The driver of a car that hit a woman Tuesday morning on Lake Shore Drive before being quickly pulled over by federal agents is now facing felony charges. Carl Miller, 54, of Evergreen Park, was initially ticketed for failing to reduce speed, driving without insurance …

Two more file suit to halt $118M jackpot payout to workplace pool

Two more people have filed lawsuits in a dispute over who was participating in a workplace lottery pool that won the $118 million Mega Millions jackpot with a ticket bought at a Glenwood gas station earlier this month.

Jose L. Franco and Marco Medina, both …