Article updated: 12/27/2012 2:38 PM

Lake County's top newsmakers of 2012

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Juan Rivera gives a hug to Miguel Diaz, right, after he is released from Stateville State Prison.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Gallery Image

Sen. Mark Kirk is "mentally sharp" and meets with his staff nearly every day, his doctors say. Here, the Highland Park Republican is shown in the first photo released to the public since he suffered a stroke in January.

Photo courtesy of Sen. Mark Kirk's office

Daniel Baker

Senator Mark Kirk smiles and accepts his medal as he comes out of the stairwell on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower Sunday during a benefit climb for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Kirk has been recovering from a stroke and working with RIC Physical Therapist Michael Klonowski, right.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

Eric Waggoner

About this Article

A lawmaker with a health crisis, a man who was wrongly convicted of murder and a bureaucrat at the center of a battle over a land plan were among the people who made headlines in Lake County in 2012.