A Crystal Lake woman was found guilty Wednesday of aggravated battery after prosecutors presented evidence that she injured an infant in her care while operating an unlicensed daycare. Ann Migliorato, 63, was convicted on three counts of aggravated battery to a child—classified as Class X felonies—and one misdemeanor count of unlawful operation of a childcare facility.

According to McHenry County prosecutors, Migliorato was providing daycare services from her home in April 2024 when the incident occurred. The alleged victim was an 11-month-old boy whose diaper Migliorato was changing at the time. Concerned by what she saw, a 10-year-old girl present at the daycare discreetly recorded the episode on her cellphone. The child subsequently showed the video to her mother, who reported the matter to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, prompting an official investigation.

The video shown during the three-day trial depicted Migliorato forcefully pinning the baby down, using her body weight to push his legs toward his head while restraining him. Prosecutors described the infant’s vocalizations as indicative of distress caused by pressure applied to his neck or chest. Throughout the encounter, Migliorato was heard expressing frustration, stating, "Every day I’m sick of this with you," and warning the child, "I don’t play, dude." As the infant grew lethargic and his right arm became limp, she added, "You might want to give your mom a run for the money, and everyone else in town, but not me."

Medical testimony introduced at trial confirmed that the infant suffered a fractured rib consistent with the timeframe of the incident. Physicians also noted evidence of two additional healing rib fractures, which prosecutors characterized as signs of prior abuse. The jury deliberated for about an hour before delivering the guilty verdict. Migliorato’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 8. Under Illinois law, Class X felony convictions typically carry a mandatory prison sentence of at least six years without eligibility for probation. The defense has not issued a comment.

Separately, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, real estate developer Albert Friedman continues to oversee the adaptive reuse of several historic buildings, including the well-known Medinah Temple. Constructed in 1912 by the Shriners and designed by the firm Huehl and Schmid, Medinah Temple has served diverse roles ranging from hosting concerts and the Shrine Circus to housing a 30,000-pound pipe organ installed in 1915.

After falling into disrepair and facing potential demolition, Medinah Temple was designated a Chicago landmark in 2001. Friedman, recruited by city officials and supported by political figures in 2000, acquired the property and rehabilitated it with significant tax increment financing. The building reopened as a Bloomingdale’s Home Store in 2003 and, after the store’s closure in 2019, was repurchased by Friedman. He planned a mixed-use retail development including dining and hospitality, but those plans shifted in 2022 when the city enlisted him to convert the site into a temporary casino location for Bally’s Chicago while a new permanent facility was constructed in River West.

Bally’s invested $70 million for the conversion, and though its revenues have ranked sixth among Illinois casinos through mid-2026, Friedman described the tenant’s occupancy as "fine" and part of broader urban evolution. The casino is expected to relocate to its permanent venue in early 2027, leaving Friedman to seek new tenants for Medinah Temple starting in 2028. He emphasized the importance of preserving the building’s historic features, including stained glass windows and the original theater proscenium.

Preservation advocates recognize the building’s transformation as a demonstration of how historic structures can be adapted for modern uses. Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, noted the building’s flexibility and expressed confidence that Medinah Temple will continue to have a future under Friedman’s stewardship, preventing the demolition that once seemed likely. Friedman envisions an experiential use consistent with current post-pandemic urban trends—a year-round attraction rather than seasonal events like the circus that once characterized the venue’s past.