Dawn Patrol: Obama's State of the Union, Walsh unopposed in primary

Obama: a fair shot for all ‘the defining issue of our time'

President Barack Obama used last night's State of the Union address to call for help for a hurting middle class and for high taxes on millionaires with a common theme of restoring a fair shot for all. Obama offered steps to help students afford college, a plan for more struggling homeowners to refinance their homes and tax cuts for manufacturers. The president early in the speech hammered home the fact that Osama bin Laden will no longer threaten Americans, and he did the same at its close, but the deeply wounded and slowly improving economy was the main focus throughout. Full story.

What state, suburban politicians had to say about the speech

Reactions from suburban congressmen and politicians seeking congressional offices ranged from happy to see President Obama focusing on jobs and manufacturing to disappointment in his opposition to a North American oil pipeline and his encouraging government regulation. Full story.

Sen. Kirk breathing on his own, speaks with slight slur

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk is alert, breathing on his own, and yesterday asked for his Blackberry from a Northwestern Memorial Hospital bed just two days after undergoing brain surgery for a stroke. Doctors said Sen. Kirk was doing better than expected, but his speech is slightly slurred due to some facial paralysis. Kirk, 52, is “answering questions appropriately and very quickly,” according to doctors. Full story.

Bartlett mayor wants to move past police incident

Bartlett's acting mayor, Michael Airdo, admits he made a mistake when he came to a friend's aid during a traffic stop during the early morning hours after a fundraiser last year, but called the matter a distraction. Trustees hope the village can move forward and away from the story. Village Trustee Greg Martin said that if he knew the details of the incident before December — when the board chose an acting village president to replace the resigning Michael Kelly — he still would have voted for Airdo. “When you apologize and people accept the apology, then you move on,” he said. Full story.

Walsh to run unopposed in GOP primary

U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh will be the Republican candidate for the 8th District now that both of his GOP challengers have been removed from the ballot by the Illinois Board of Elections. Both Richard Evans and Robert Canfield were more than 100 signatures short of the minimum 600 required to run in the 8th District's primary. Canfield told the board the redistricted map was the reason. “I gained my momentum and ... addresses in District 6, thinking I was in District 8 for a variety of reasons,” he said. Full story.

5 families to talk about losing children to substance abuse

Five local families who have recently lost children to alcohol and drugs — some as recently as two months ago — will share what they've learned about things like depression in teens, the code of silence among kids, new drugs, and the “not my child” mindset that's prevalent in the suburbs at “Update on Teen Substance Abuse: Personal Stories of Young Lives Lost to Alcohol and Other Drugs” at 7 p.m. today at Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream. A full house is expected for the latest in the popular Glenbard Parent Series. Full story.

Naperville smart meter opposition group takes a hit

A Naperville group's attempt to put a referendum on the March 20 ballot that would ask voters if the city should “immediately and permanently stop the implementation of the $22 million smart meter project and dismantle all related equipment” failed yesterday when a DuPage County judge ruled the Naperville Electoral Board was correct in denying the referendum because 565 signatures on a petition were not from registered voters. Full story.

Former Roselle karate instructor charged with sexual assault

After the arrest and sexual assault charges against a 43-year-old karate instructor who worked in South Elgin and Roselle, police are looking for more possible victims to come forward. Dean C. Fuerstenberg is accused of sexually assaulting two female students from May 2001 through May 2006 in Roselle. Police said a woman who was 12 in 2001 came forward in April 2011 and told police she was assaulted at the National Karate Academy of Martial Arts in Roselle, where Fuerstenberg was an instructor and part-owner. Full story.

Coroner: Volo man killed in weekend snowmobile crash was drunk

A 39-year-old snowmobiler who died in a Wauconda Forest Preserve Friday night had a blood-alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit, officials said yesterday. Shane Diaz of Volo was pronounced dead at the scene after striking a cable gate at the Lakewood Forest Preserve shortly before 10 p.m. Friday. Toxicology results were released Tuesday. Full story.

200 come out to see how Randall Road might work

Many among the more than 200 people who attended a public hearing hosted by the McHenry County Division of Transportation last night said its best feature was a video simulation of how a continuous-flow intersection would work within a 3½-mile stretch of Randall Road. Some were happy to see how much faster traffic could move on Randall, but others worried about whether people would stop for businesses along the road. Full story.

Weather

A nice day for late January is on tap. It will be partly sunny with highs of about 35 degrees this afternoon, and about 30 degrees when you head out this morning. No snow or rain is expected for the next couple of days, and temperatures could reach the mid 40s tomorrow. Full weather.

Traffic

Most highways are running good early to start the day with very little to report. A disabled car at Northwest Highway and Arlington Heights Blvd. in Arlington Heights is blocking a Metra train track. but its not expected to cause any delays on train times this morning. A crash is recorded at U.S. Route 41 at Half Day Road in Highland Park. Full traffic.

Ugh — Blackhawks lose, are in fourth place

Playing without injured captain Jonathan Toews, the Hawks needed to play an airtight defensive game last night and couldn't do it, Tim Sassone writes. Two ugly turnovers resulted in first-period goals, and Nashville made them hold up behind stud goaltender Pekka Rinne for a 3-1 win at the United Center. Despite a record of 29-15-6 and 64 points, the Hawks now trail Detroit, St. Louis and the Predators in the division with a nine-game road trip staring them in the face when they return from the break next week. Full story.