Weekend in Review: A host of new laws in 2012
More than 200 new state laws take effect Sunday requiring freed murderers to register with police, back-seat passengers to wear seat belts, and people with orders of protection against them to surrender gun owners' cards, among other things. Full story.
Photos, video lead Island Lake cops to bank robbery suspects
An Antioch woman and an Aurora man have been arrested following a bank robbery in Island Lake, police said. The duo robbed Wauconda Community Bank, 229 E. State Road, on Thursday afternoon, Police Chief William McCorkle said. Full story.
High bail set in Waukegan murder
A Lake County judge set bail at $5 million for each of the two men charged with murder following a carjacking and manhunt in Waukegan. Fredrick T. Smith, 23, of Harvey, and Kerwin P. Murry, 22, of Waukegan are each charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm. Full story.
Q&A on toll hikes with the system's director
Happy New Year. Your tolls are nearly doubling. Here's what Illinois tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur has to say about the jump. Full story.
Bank robberies plummet in Chicago area
For the third consecutive year, the number of bank robberies in Chicago and the suburbs fell significantly, federal officials said. The five-county region saw 112 bank robberies total in 2011, down a third from 181 the year before. The area had its peak in 2006, when bank robbers struck 284 times. Full story.
Homicide drop continues in Lake County
Lake County officials see positive signs in the homicide statistics for 2011, believing they indicate that programs created to reduce violence are taking root. The 10 homicides in 2011 tie for the second-lowest recorded since 1980, according to statistics kept by the Lake County coroner's and state's attorney's office. Full story.
Near death experience changes woman's life
Julie Papievis of Lombard, who was in a horrific traffic accident that she says gave her a view of heaven, has optioned the book about her life for a movie. “I'm here to tell you that you too can take something overwhelming and hopeless and turn it around and be hopeful,” she said. Full story.
New babies ring in new year at suburban hospitals
A baby girl was delivered to a Mount Prospect couple shortly after midnight at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, helping to ring in the new year at suburban hospitals. Full story.
450 take the Polar Bear Plunge in Waukegan
Though temperatures were around freezing and winds gusted to 35 mph, the 450 who plunged into Lake Michigan Sunday at least didn't have to break through ice to take the 13th Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Waukegan's Municipal Beach. Full story.
Cook mayors see turnaround continuing in 2012
Northwest Cook County mayors see the area's economic turnaround continuing in 2012. After a 2011 was less painful than the year before, when many of them had to lay off numerous employees, they mostly see more good things on the horizon. Full story.
World & Nation
Rising Santorum targeted by GOP rivals. Full story.
Medicare debate is all about baby boomers. Full story.
Powerball tickets doubling to $2. Full story.
Tucson shooting survivors try to move forward. Full story.
Images: New Year's Eve around the world. Full story.
Sports
LeBron James gets engaged. Full story.
Bears' win may be too little, too late for Martz. Full story.
Bears hang on to beat Vikings. Full story.
What now for Bears quarterback Josh McCown? Full story.
Urlacher injury the final downer. Full story.
Bulls blow out Grizzlies in home opener. Full story.
Hawks' McDonough wants back in the Winter Classic. Full story.
Grading the Bears: Week 17. Full story.
The NFL playoff scenarios shaping up. Full story.