TribLocal Des Plaines - 14-20 June 2012
TribLocal.com
Park Ridge • Des Plaines Morton Grove • Niles
JUNE 14-20, 2012
High school class remains connected 70 years later
Page 3
Park police launch safety program in Morton Grove
Page 6
America’s Most Wanted Host John Walsh interviews Detective Jennifer De Pastors inside the Des Plaines Police Department.
Jennifer Delgado/ TribLocal photo
Report: Rivers Casino makes \$35M in May
By Jennifer Delgado
TRIBLOCAL REPORTER
National show to feature local slaying
By Jennifer Delgado
TRIBLOCAL REPORTER
The Rivers Casino in Des Plaines made \$35.2 million in May and continues to outpace other riverboats in the state, according to figures released by the Illinois Gaming Board. The Des Plaines casino remains well-ahead of its competitors, like the Grand Victoria in Elgin and the Harrah’s Joliet, which brought in about \$18.7 million and \$17.8 million, respectively. Still, Rivers’ revenue in May dipped by less than 1 percent compared to April, when it made \$35.5 million, according to the report. The state’s remaining seven casinos posted revenues from \$7.3 million to \$12.6 million,
documents show. With the exception of the Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria, all the casinos in Illinois saw some kind of decline in adjusted gross receipts. Par-A-Dice made a minimal gain — roughly \$46,000 — in May, the report states. Admissions figures for the Rivers Casino jumped by 4 percent between April and May, from 322,098 to 335,875. All but two of the state’s casinos also saw increases in attendance, according to the report. In April, the Des Plaines casino raked in nearly twice as much as the Grand Victoria in Elgin and the Harrah’s Joliet, which made \$19.1 million and \$18.9 million, respectively. — Read about how Des Plaines can spend casino revenues on Page 3.
Solving the 1999 murder of a 30-year-old flight attendant in Des Plaines would be a life-changing moment for several people, including Det. Jennifer De Pastors. She has long been searching for Luis Rodriguez-Mena, who is accused of slitting Young Kavila from ear to ear with a knife and is charged in the slaying. The end of the case could bring Kavila’s family in Korea a sense of justice — and relief to Rodriguez-Mena’s ex-girlfriend and 12-year-old son, who have hidden from him for 10 years.
The case, spotlighted by the Tribune in its “Fugitives from Justice” series last year, will air on the June 15 episode of America’s Most Wanted. The scheduled broadcast gives De Pastors some hope the longtime cold case can be put to rest. “I really think this might be the bump we’re looking for,” said De Pastors, who has worked on the case from the beginning. “It’s frustrating to know who it is, but not catch him.” According to police, Kavila was returning to her apartment near Algonquin and Elmhurst Roads after work at about 10 p.m.
PLEASE SEE SLAYING, PAGE 12
Park Ridge poised to approve new water, sewer rate
By Jon Davis
SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE
Park Ridge residents and businesses will pay more, and see their water and sewer bills differently after July, as the city moves to match its increasing costs over the next five years. Aldermen met Monday as the City Council’s informal Committee of the Whole gave unanimous preliminary approval to a new rate structure based on the city’s actual cost
to deliver water and sewer service. They are scheduled to confirm their approval at the City Council’s Monday, June 18 meeting. Among the factors prompting the rate hikes, city officials said, are the increasing debt for sewer/flood mitigation construction, the need to find a dedicated revenue source for ongoing infrastructure repair, and Chicago’s water service rate hikes.
PLEASE SEE RATE, PAGE 12
Most Patient Friendly MRI
• Comfortable experience and much less confining (eliminating claustrophobia) • Early morning, evening and Saturday appointments available • Workman’s compensation and personal injury cases welcome (attorney liens welcome) • Most insurance plans accepted 457 Lake Cook Rd. Deerfield, IL • (847) 291-9321
\$
gift card
When referring a friend or family member. Only new patient referral.
50
UprightMRIdeerfield.com
<1>
<2>
<3>
<4>
<5>
<6>
<7>
<8>
<9>
<10>
<11>
<12>
<13>
<14>
<15>
<16>
<17>
<18>
<19>
<20>