The Doings Oak Brook

CHMS eighth-grader wins District 181 spelling bee

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:10:09 -0600

Paul Cumberland was in familiar territory when the championship of the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 Spelling Bee came down to himself and Nick Speziale Feb. 9 at Clarendon Hills Middle School. The two students were down the same road about a week earlier during a CHMS competition to represent that school in the District 181 Spelling Bee. Nick, a sixth-grader, finished on top in the CHMS competition, but Paul, an eighth-grader, took first place this time. “I was thinking about, ‘what if it happens again?’” Paul said after winning. “I actually was less nervous this time. When you get …

Driver charged for Eisenhower crash that killed Oak Brook man, injured trooper

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:41:57 -0600

Officials have filed charges against a motorist accused of killing a man and hurting an Illinois State Police trooper Saturday in a wreck on the Eisenhower Expressway in Addison. Daniel C. Clark, 32, faces aggravated driving under the influence involving death and aggravated DUI involving great bodily harm, according to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin. The fatal wreck happened after a State Police trooper pulled over an eastbound vehicle on the Eisenhower Expressway near Mill Road a little before 1 a.m. Saturday to assist a non-injury traffic accident involving 42-year-old Frank S. Caruso of Oak Brook, Illinois State …

Man killed, trooper hurt in Eisenhower crash

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:42:28 -0600

(ADDISON) A man died and a trooper was hurt early Saturday when another vehicle struck the Illinois State Police car they were sitting in on the Eisenhower Expressway in west suburban Addison. About 1:20 a.m., the trooper had pulled over on eastbound Interstate 290 near Mill Road to assist with a non-injury traffic accident the man had been involved in, Illinois State Police spokeswoman Maria Navarro said. The trooper activated his emergency lights and positioned his vehicle to block the left two lanes of traffic. The driver -- and sole occupant -- of a 2005 Nissan SUV, who was involved …

Woman killed when Metra train hits car in La Grange

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:30:00 -0600

A Chicago woman died Friday night after a Metra train collided with her car at a crossing near the La Grange Stone Avenue station. No passengers were on the train at the time.

Senator Kirk moved into Rehab Institute; family offers thanks

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:45:57 -0600

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has been transferred from Northwestern Memorial Hospital to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to begin his physical therapy. The Highland Park Republican is recovering from a stroke he suffered three weeks ago. “RIC’s team of experts will spend the next few days assessing Senator Kirk’s condition and developing a comprehensive, targeted rehabilitation program tailored to achieve the goals that will be established by Senator Kirk and his family,” said Dr. Richard L. Harvey, medical director of RIC’s Center for Stroke Rehabilitation. Kirk’s neurosurgeon at Northwestern had said he expects Kirk to make a full mental recovery, …

Durbin aims to please

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:01:39 -0600

James Durbin hit the ground running as he launched a tour supporting his recently released album “Memories of A Beautiful Disaster.” His recent performance at Austyn’s in Libertyville, was a fitting setting for this meat and potatoes performer. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more grounded artist. A finalist from last year’s “American Idol” competition, Durbin is just as likely to talk about his family as he is his music. While “Idol” served as a launching pad, Durbin’s roots are much deeper as he has been down in the rock ‘n’ roll trenches for years. This explains his humility and …

Snow makes its way back to the area Friday

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:00:02 -0600

Feeling a chill in the air? Snow will be back as soon as Friday when lake effect snow could hit the city and Northwest Indiana with six inches.

Catholic cemeteries offer to bury 300 bodies stacked at morgue

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:28:02 -0600

The Archdiocese of Chicago is offering to pay for up to 300 burials for the bodies being held at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Service News

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:54:01 -0600

Volunteers honored in Springfield Three west suburban men were among 16 volunteers honored in Springfield Jan. 28 for donating hundreds of hours of service to the Illinois Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve agency. The U.S. Department of Defense established the agency in 1972 to promote understanding and support among employers of the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve. The agency responds to questions and provides information regarding programs supporting civilian employers and their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Honored with the Gold Award for providing more than 500 hours of service in 2011 …

Police: Man faked own kidnapping to take $1,000 from family

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:35:39 -0600

A Willowbrook man who wanted to get money from his family staged his own kidnapping to demand $1,000 ransom, according to police who later arrested him.

Park district proposes projects

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:02:13 -0600

After approving the new Oak Brook Park District Foundation last year the park district will soon begin a membership drive to gather support from Oak Brook residents. The foundation, formed last May, received their non-profit status in September and within a couple months Oak Brook residents will receive information about supporting the foundation. Proposed projects for foundation funding include synthetic athletic fields with lights, a splash pad renovation, tennis center remodel, an additional 9-hole disc golf course, a family locker room/front desk placement at the Family Recreation Center and acquisition of and maintaining open space. “Nothing is imminent. That’s just …

Many ways to help prevent identity theft

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:02:08 -0600

Though the holiday shopping season is over, the Oak Brook Police Department is reminding consumers that identity theft predators remain active throughout the entire year. During a presentation at the Oak Brook Library, Officers Erica Huff and George Peterson gave advice on how to prevent identity theft and what should be done if you think you’ve become a victim. According to the officers, 10 million individuals had their identities stolen in 2008, a 22 percent increase from the year before. Thieves have begun to rely heavily on technology to commit their crimes, but still choose old fashioned methods as well. …

Valentine’s Dinner and Brunch offered at Brookfield Zoo

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:02:33 -0600

Bring out your animal magnetism and treat your significant other to a romantic Valentine’s dinner at Brookfield Zoo on Feb. 11. The unique dining adventure begins at 6:30 p.m. as the Catered Events staff greets guests at the zoo’s South Gate, where they will board the heated Snowball Express for a cozy ride to the Seven Seas Underwater Viewing gallery. Once there, diners can enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while watching bottlenose dolphins swimming gracefully past. Afterwards, a five-course dinner, prepared by the zoo’s executive chef, will be served in Bocaditos restaurant. The evening’s menu features sweet corn chowder followed …

Climbers staring at tall task in Oakbrook Terrace

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:03:25 -0600

The 2012 Fight for Air Climb is taking place Sunday at the Oakbrook Terrace Tower and it’s not too late to sign up as a team or individual. Money raised from the climb will benefit the American Lung Association of Greater Chicago.

District 86 approves bond sale

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:52:34 -0600

The Hinsdale High School District 86 Board authorized the issuance of nearly $18 million in bonds Monday to pay for air conditioning at both Hinsdale Central and South high schools. After a lengthy debate over the attorney’s preparation of the resolution and the actual cost of the bonds to taxpayers, the board approved the measure 5-1. Board member Dianne Barrett abstained, while board member Richard Skoda voted no. Barrett had issues with finance attorneys Chapman and Cutler, who worked with George K. Baum & Co., and authored the resolution. “It’s like going to a real estate table with a buyer …

Sen. Kirk upgraded to ‘good’ condition, watched Super Bowl

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:20:34 -0600

Sen. Mark Kirk’s condition has been upgraded from “fair” to “good.” Doctors hope to be able to re-attach the 8-inch-by-4-inch section of his skull that had to be removed after he suffered a stroke two weeks ago. Then the Highland Park Republican can begin physical therapy. “Sen. Kirk is making good progress in his recovery,” said Richard Fessler, his neurosurgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “He is visiting with family and even watched the Super Bowl last night. He has been upgraded to good condition, and we anticipate he will be able to start the rehabilitation phase soon.” Fessler has said …