Dawn Patrol: Teacher contracts approved; bank robber sought
Two districts approve faculty contracts
The Huntley Unit District 158 school board on Tuesday approved an agreement with its teachers union. After two false starts, the union and school board presented teachers with a contract that received 98 percent of the vote from union members. Full story. Meanwhile, in Geneva, the Dist. 304 board spent a mere 15 minutes in a closed-door meeting Tuesday night before ratifying a new three-year teacher contract. Full story.
Dist. 300 teachers file intent to strike notice
Teachers in Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300 on Tuesday filed an intent to strike notice. The earliest a strike could occur is Dec. 3. In a letter to district employees, parents and the community, Superintendent Michael Bregy said the district is prepared to close all but three schools if teachers take to the picket line. Full story.
Buffalo Grove hunts bank robber
Police on Tuesday released a surveillance photo of the man they say robbed the PNC Bank at 1177 W. Lake-Cook Road in Buffalo Grove. Anyone with information about Monday’s heist is encouraged to call (847) 459-2560. To see the photo and read the full story, click here.
Pet dies in Palatine fire
A Palatine house fire killed the family’s cat Tuesday afternoon, but no other injuries were reported. A passer-by noticed smoke and reported the fire on the 200 block of East Cedarwood Court at noon. Full story.
Developer indicted on fraud charges
The developer of Algonquin’s failed Riverside Square project is facing federal bank fraud charges. Bruce Hawkins, 62, formerly of Algonquin, was arrested Monday in Denver, Colo., after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Chicago and was charged with eight counts of federal bank fraud. Full story.
Four stars for ‘Life of Pi’
From the opening scene to the last, “Life of Pi” spins its narrative magic in glorious 3-D imagery that seamlessly works in the service of its epic tale celebrating the essence of the storytelling experience, Dann Gire writes. Read his full review.
Weather
A dense fog advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. as heavy patches of fog can make traveling rough this morning. It will be about 37 degrees when you head out the sour this morning, but temperatures will climb to about 58 degrees this afternoon. Full story.
Traffic
Today is considered the busiest travel day of the year, so people should be prepared for heavy lines at O’Hare and Midway today. For drivers, roadwork continues in Naperville at Diehl Road between IL-59 and Raymond Drive. More traffic.
Bears bad against good teams
After the debacle in San Francisco, Bears coach Lovie Smith pointed out the Bears still are 7-3 and tied atop the NFC North with the Packers. They’re still in good shape to make a playoff run with three of the next four games at home. But if they can’t move the ball against other teams that are destined for the playoffs, it doesn’t bode well for a postseason run, Bob LeGere writes. Full story.