Culliton, who will start a new three-year term starting in December, was appointed an associate judge in 1998 after serving as chief of staff to Illinois Attorney General James Ryan from 1994 to 1998.

He said the situation in Riverside, where about 400 residents were forced to leave their homes because of the rising floodwaters, has improved and all other roads are now passable.

He said some buildings still have water in their basements and officials are helping pump it out, but all electric and natural gas lines have been disconnected and residents can now return to their homes to assess the damage.

The Des Plaines River crested at about 10 feet on Monday, well above the 7-foot flood stage.

--Chicago Tribune report

"We're doing better," said city spokeswoman Karen Kozenczak.

At 10:45 a.m., the Des Plaines River was still above the 5-foot flood stage, but had receded to about 5.85 feet. Officials expected it to fall below flood stage sometime this evening.

About 2,500 structures in Des Plaines have been affected by the floods that came with torrential rain over the weekend, according to Tim Angell, deputy director of community and economic development.

City inspectors have examined most of them, but none have been declared uninhabitable, Angel said.

"A lot of our residents are back in their homes, doing clean up now," Angell said.

He suggested that people call their insurance companies before they call a contractor. And he warned that before hiring a contractor, they should get references, ask for proof of liability insurance, and be sure the contractor is bonded.

The Salvation Army will be providing clean up kits and food at the following locations:

Today: Christ Church, at the corner of Cora Street and Henry Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday: Des Plaines New Apostolic Church, 1740 Rand Rd., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday: Des Plaines Park District Administrative and Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

--Jeff Long, Chicago Tribune

The mother of a Bell Elementary School student was accosted recently on her way to the North Side school, school officials said, and a special community meeting has been scheduled for Thursday morning to discuss the attack.

A man tried to grab her, he said, and an accomplice was nearby in a white sport-utility vehicle.

The message advised parents to review safety issues with their children.

Police officials from the Belmont District and Ald. Eugene Schulter (47th ) will attend the community meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday in the auditorium of the school, 3730 N. Oakley Ave.

The Web-site message included a link to a community alert issued last month by Chicago police that said a male white Hispanic (sketch above) in his late 20s to early 30s was being sought in connection with "several incidents of criminal sexual abuse" in which the victim was approached from behind and assaulted.

That man was described as about 5-foot-6-inches, of medium build, with black or dark brown hair and brown eyes. He was said to have physical injuries to his face, "possibly scratches" from one of his attacks.

FULL STORY

FULL STORY

The no-toll zone continues in effect from the Westpoint Barrier to the Willow Creek toll plaza. Included in-between are the Calumet Avenue, Cline Avenue, Gary East and Lake Station plazas, officials said.

Indiana Toll Road spokesman Matt Pierce advised drivers not to remove their I-PASS, i-zoom or E-Z Pass transponders that electronically pay tolls because they will be required on other roadways.

So far Wednesday morning, traffic has been "heavy and steady" but "always moving," Pierce said.

Maple Avenue at Route 53 in Lisle shortly before midnight on Sept. 14. Photo by Ben Hartzler.

"Both sides feel they accomplished goals that are fair to the community and the teachers," the district and the Huntley Education Association said in a joint statement.

Negotiators met Tuesday night with federal mediators to try to resolve the walkout that canceled classes for 8,200 students in kindergarten through high school in Huntley, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Union and Lakewood.

The walkout also forced Huntley High School to call off golf, tennis, boys soccer and volleyball contests. The 3-0 Red Raiders football team this weekend against rival Jacobs High School in Algonquin was in jeopardy if a tentative agreement had not been reached.

On Tuesday, high school math teacher Kris Grabner, a boys soccer coach, said he would prefer to be teaching and coaching but thought striking would help the district retain and attract quality teachers.

"If we're striking, we can't play any of the games," Grabner said at a teachers rally outside the district's headquarters in Algonquin. "I hate it because the kids work so hard for it."

About 300 teachers marched outside the administrative offices to protest an order from the school board for teachers to pay their health insurance premiums by Tuesday or lose their coverage. The district typically deducts the premiums from teachers' paychecks.

Salary and retirement benefits were the issues that had held up an agreement, parties said.

Dodson attempted to avoid the car but ended up sliding into the passenger side of the vehicle. Dodson, of the 400 block of Gloria Lane in Oswego, was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, police said.

Jill Womack, 22, of the 0-100 block of Lancaster Avenue in Aurora, was cited with failure to yield while turning left. Police said they believe she might not have seen Dodson because she was blinded by bright sunshine.

There was no indication alcohol played any role in the crash, police said.

FULL STORY