Dawn Patrol: Quick hits as you head out the door

<h3 class="briefHead">Gambling expansion bill rejected, future uncertain</h3>

A gambling expansion plan that would have allowed slot machines at Arlington Park and add a new casino in Lake County was rejected in Springfield yesterday. The plan could come up for another vote as early as today, but the rejection raises questions whether a deal can get done this year. The proposal was rejected by the House in a 58-53 vote. Full story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Video shows Joe Walsh yelling at constituents at restaurant event</h3>

A video posted on YouTube of McHenry Congressman Joe Walsh at an event for constituents at a Gurnee restaurant has garnered an apology from the representative. Walsh can be seen shouting at a small group of attendees during the "Cup of Joe" session after he was questioned on the lack of bank regulation and presence of bank lobbyists in Washington. "Don't blame the banks!" Walsh shouted, adding he "doesn't want government meddling in the marketplace." Full story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Vote on Sears deal may be pushed back</h3>

Lawmakers appear set to leave Springfield today without a bundle of tax breaks to offer Sears Holdings Corp. as an incentive to keep the company in Hoffman Estates. Today was originally thought to be the deadline to get the deal done, as it is the last scheduled day for legislature to meet this year, but lawmakers announced they will reconvene Nov. 21. "We understand the need for appropriate review by the legislature, and we are willing to work with them on this matter," Sears spokesman Chris Braithwaite said Tuesday. Full story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Paterno out after 46 years as Penn State coach</h3>

Penn State's board of trustees voted unanimously to fire football coach Joe Paterno and university President Graham Spanier in the midst of sex abuse allegations against a longtime defensive coordinator. Earlier in the day, Paterno announced he would retire at the end of the year, but he learned late last night he was no longer the coach, effective immediately. One key question has been why Paterno didn't go to police in 2002 after being told a graduate assistant saw the a boy being sexually assaulted in a school shower. Full story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Rally for Paterno turns violent</h3>

Police in riot gear dispersed about 2,000 Penn State students who took to the streets after the ouster of football coach Joe Paterno. Crowds toppled a television news van and at least one photographer was pelted with a rock. Full story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Woman killed by train in Downers Grove</h3>

Police continue to investigate the death of a middle-aged woman who was struck and killed by a freight train in downtown Downers Grove last night. The woman attempted to walk across the tracks past with the lights flashing and the gate down near the Main Street station. Police said she may have tried to walk around a Metra train that was stopped and blocking the view of the oncoming freight train. Full story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Prosecutors: Hanover Park man tried to hire hitman over $26,000 debt</h3>

A 57-year-old Hanover Park man has been charged with solicitation of murder for hire after authorities say he tried to hire a hitman to kill an acquaintance over a $26,000 debt. Saleem Qureshi, a Pakistani who works as a Chicago cabdriver, loaned the money to the man to hire a lawyer. Quershi met with an undercover officer who posed as a hitman in Chicago and told the Chicago police officer he would pay $5,000 plus tip to have the man shot and killed, according to the charges. Full story.

<h3 class="briefHead">COD, Glen Ellyn still negotiating for control</h3>

A day after a judge issued a ruling in an ongoing court battle between the College of DuPage and village of Glen Ellyn, both sides said Wednesday they're going back to the negotiating table. Full story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Mother charged with murdering her newborn in Streamwood bathroom</h3>

Bail has been denied for the 19-year-old Hanover Park mother who is charged with strangling her baby moments after giving birth in the restroom of a Streamwood Salvation Army Store. Jessica Cruz was charged with first-degree murder yesterday nearly a week after her baby was found dead in a trash bin. Three witnesses from the store identified Cruz in a lineup as the woman who used the employee bathroom for an hour where the baby was found late that day. Full story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Weather</h3>

Clear and cool early this morning with highs only in the mid 30s as you walk out the door, but temperatures will rise to about 42 degrees before the day is over. A rain and snow mix could fall before the night is over. Full weather.

<h3 class="briefHead">Traffic</h3>

Most roadways are jammed this morning, though not more than expected on a Thursday morning rush hour. Route 68 between Dundee Avenue and Penny Road in East Dundee is delayed due to construction, as is Route 53 between Army Trail Road and Thorndale Avenue. Full traffic <http://www.traffic.com/Chicago-Traffic/Chicago-Traffic-Reports.html>.

<h3 class="briefHead">Mike Maddux interviews to be Cubs skipper</h3>

Mike Maddux, the acclaimed pitching coach who lead the Texas Rangers to the 2011 World Series and the Milwaukee Brewers to the playoffs in 2008, was the third man to interview for the Cubs managerial opening. The brother of former Cub Greg Maddux canceled an interview with the Boston Red Sox this week and said the decision could come down to his family. "We have a lot of things to think about, a lot of things to weigh," said the 50-year-old Maddux. "Family's very important. I played for a long time. When I was finished playing, my kids were 10 years old, 8 years. I said, 'What happened?'" Full story.

<h3 class="briefHead">GOP candidates debate</h3>

Against the backdrop of global economic volatility, eight Republican presidential candidates gathered in suburban Detroit on Wednesday to debate financial issues and offer ideas for how to repair the ailing U.S. economy. But in the opening moments of the nationally televised debate, businessman Herman Cain lashed out at those who have accused him of sexual harassment.Full story.