The air is out of Chicago Heights native Kevin Uliassi’s attempt to become the first solo ballonist to fly around the world. Unsure he’d have enough fuel to make it across the Pacific Ocean, he lowered his balloon to earth at 4:36 a.m. in the military-controlled Asian nation of Myanmar (formerly Burma), according to his spokesman in the suburb of Homewood.
Speaking in Homewood to reporters around 7 a.m., Uliassi’s wife, Renee, told reporters that Myanmar’s government officials had confirmed Uliassi was down and unharmed.
Regardless, she told CLTV the attempt, which began Feb. 22 in a rock quarry near Rockford, was worthwhile. “This is a successful mission to us, just that we were able to launch a balloon. Because we’re just a common guy like everyone else. … As long as he enjoyed it and he was fulfilling a dream, I think it was a very successful mission.”
* Latest news update
* Uliassi mission Web site
House OKs ban on death-penalty for retarded
The Illinois House is sending the Senate a bill that would outlaw capital punishment for the mentally retarded. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Calvin Giles (D-Chicago), credited the overwhelming vote Thursday — 117-1 — in part to Gov. George Ryan’s Jan. 31 moratorium on all executions in the state.
* From this morning’s paper
Stevenson work begins tonight
Crews are set to close one lane of the Stevenson Expressway inbound from west of La Grange Road to east of the Des Plaines River bridge and one lane from just west of Kedzie Avenue to Canal Street this evening around 9 p.m. — marking the start of the final phase of I-55 reconstruction work.
The impact on next week’s rush hours may not be felt until Tuesday, though; Monday is a holiday for many local school and government workers: Casimir Pulaski Day.
In sports
The Bulls lost to Cleveland Thursday night, 114-110. In college basketball, DePaul lost to Cincinnati, 64-62, but Northwestern beat Iowa, 68-59. Baseball blooms this afternoon in Mesa, Ariz. The White Sox visit the Cubs, 2:05 p.m. Tonight: The Blackhawks host Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. Full schedule in Sports.
DAYWATCH
Coming up today …
The Vic hosts Bruce Cockburn. … Joan Baez plays the Old Town School. … The Goodman Theatre stages “Boy Gets Girl.” … Symphony Center welcomes the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. … FitzGerald’s presents NRBQ. … Saxmeister David Sanborn visits Governors State University. … Buddy Guy’s Legends hosts BooZoo Chavis. … North Park University presents Young Goodman Brown and From the Top. … The Chicago Historical Society spotlights “Mahalia: The Live and Music of Mahalia Jackson.” … The Cernan Space Center presents “Nature’s Fury.” … Novelist E.L. Doctorow speaks at the Harold Washington Library Center. … Northwestern University students strut their stuff in their annual dance marathon at the Norris University Center. … The Palmer House Hilton hosts a Fat Friday Ball. … Whitney Young High School presents the Dolphin Street Jazz Ensemble.
… Saturday
The Oriental Institute offers an “Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics.” … New Age health guru Deepak Chopra speaks at Northeastern Illinois University. … McCormick Place hosts a Chevy/Vette Fest. … Rocker Warren Zevon howls at Park West. … Expect long lines for the restrooms: Joe’s Sports Bar presents 10,000 Maniacs . … House of Blues hosts Great White. … Metro welcomes Lambchop. … The Cernan Center presents “Dinosaurs in Space.” … Trap Door Theatre stages “Lebensraum.” … The Rialto Square Theatre presents Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies. … Steppenwolf Theatre presents “The Infidel.”
… and Sunday
More Top Picks Best Dive Watches
Empty Bottle presents Two Dollar Guitar. … The Chicago Botanic Garden opens “Earth on Her Hands: The American Woman in Her Garden.” … The Chicago Theatre offers the Alternative Hair Show.
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