Patch Flash: Gov. Quinn Wants to Ban Assault Weapons

Illinois could ban assault weapons under a plan proposed Tuesday by Gov. Pat Quinn, but any gun control regulation would have to clear major hurdles even with a renewed nationwide debate.

The Chicago Democrat used his amendatory veto power to gut a bill related to ammunition sales and add language prohibiting the manufacture, delivery, sale and possession of semi-automatic assault weapons and attachments. Illinois lawmakers could accept or override the changes, or not call a vote at all.

The murder trial of former suburban Chicago police sergeant Drew Peterson began Tuesday with dueling explanations of his third wife's death, clashes over evidence and a teary witness describing how she screamed when she discovered her friend's body.

Prosecutors gave jurors an account that could have come from a 1940s pulp novel, in which a man does whatever he must – including murder – to keep his ex-wife's hands off his money.

On the other side, Peterson's attorneys argued the former officer was a victim of something newer: a 24-hour news cycle and cable TV's talking heads, which together created a media frenzy that did not subside until prosecutors had charged an innocent man.

The community of Libertyville was , who fell off an inner tube and was struck by a boat on Petite Lake in Lake Villa, on Sunday.

The best transit suburb in the Chicago metropolitan area was LaGrange, followed by Wilmette and Arlington Heights. Other suburbs that made the list include DesPlanes, Park Ridge, Deerfield, Northbrook, Palatine and Highland Park.

The Lake County Fair wrapped up a successful event on Sunday, but fair season isn’t over.