Dawn Patrol: Ballots grow in Arlington Hts., Gurnee, St. Charles, DuPage

Three new names in race for Arlington Heights park board

The Arlington Heights Park District board will have a few new faces in 2013 as two commissioners will retire and three new candidates will compete to fill their spots. Board President Maryfran Leno has filed papers for another term, but Robert Whisler and Robert Smith will not run. Two members of a group supporting the failed proposal for a $39 million bond issue, William Ploger and Tim Gelinas, will compete for those seats with each other and Jona Augustyn, an 18-year-old student at Buffalo Grove High School. Full story.

Gurnee Mayor Kovarik, Trustee Morris continuing political rivalry

Two Gurnee political rivals will continue with their differences, this time as mayoral opponents. Mayor Kristina Kovarik will have to defeat Trustee Kirk Morris to gain a third, 4-year term. Kovarik and Morris have been at odds for more than three years since she removed the trustee's private foundation from trying to build Heroes of Freedom Memorial Park. Full story.

St. Charles: Contested races from top to bottom of ticket

Nearly every elected office in St. Charles has a contested race, including several rematches of old political foes. The highlighted contest is at the top of the ballot: Mayor Don DeWitte is not seeking another term. That's drawn four candidates into the race: Third Ward Alderman Ray Rogina, Jotham Stein, John Rabchuk and Jake Wyatt. Full story.

Hot municipal races taking shape across DuPage

Voters will be asked to sort through large numbers of candidates this spring in races for village boards and city councils in many DuPage County communities, including Bensenville, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Roselle, Villa Park and Winfield. The filing period closed Wednesday for the April 9 municipal, park, library and school board elections and the large fields of candidates in those towns almost guarantee hotly contested races. Some feature slates of hopefuls seeking a changing of the guard, while others pit as many as eight candidates in a fight for three seats. Full story.

Three incumbents, newcomer running in Algonquin

Three incumbents will face a lone challenger in the race for available seats on the Algonquin village board. Longtime incumbents Robert Smith, Jerry Glogowski and Brian Dianis are all seeking another term, while resident Richard Flynn hopes to unseat one of them. Full story.

Four candidates for Lake in the Hills village board

Three incumbents and one newcomer are vying for three seats on the village board in Lake in the Hills. Resident Kenneth Tentler, and Trustees Bob Huckins, Denise Barreto, and Steven Harlfinger all filed nominating petitions for the April election. Full story.

Trustee races mostly contested in Fox Valley

Several village board races in the northern Fox Valley will be competitive, starting with eight candidates vying for seats on the Pingree Grove village board. We have the rundown.

Thieves target ATM users in Waukegan

The Waukegan Police Department is urging residents to use caution when visiting ATMs after dark. Over the past few days, the police have responded to calls at ATMs at various banks in the city. There were two robberies and two attempted robberies. Full story.

Carol Stream library has its next director

A Glenbard North High School graduate who grew up near Carol Stream will become the next director of the village's public library, officials announced yesterday. Susan Westgate, 52, who now serves as assistant director of the Bartlett Public Library, will begin her new role in Carol Stream on Jan. 28. The Glendale Heights native and current Elmhurst resident will become the third director in the library's 50-year history, following Ann Kennedy, who was fired by the library board in July after six years. Full story.

Desert Storm commander Norman Schwarzkopf dies

Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf didn't care much for his popular “Stormin' Norman” nickname. The seemingly no-nonsense Desert Storm commander's reputed temper with aides and subordinates supposedly earned him that rough-and-ready moniker. But others around the general, who died Thursday in Tampa, Fla., at age 78 from complications from pneumonia, knew him as a friendly, talkative and even jovial figure who preferred the somewhat milder sobriquet given by his troops: “The Bear.” Full story. And see a photo gallery of the general in his glory days.

Weather

Temperatures will hover in the low 30s today, with cloudy skies and light snow at times. Some areas, mostly in the northern suburbs, can expect between one to two inches of snow today. It will be about 28 degrees when you walk out the door for your morning commute, rising to a high of about 35 degrees this afternoon. Full story.

Traffic

The roadways are mostly clear this morning, with no delays to report on the major tollways or expressways. Wilson Road is closed between IL-134 and Nippersink in Fox Lake due to an accident. Otherwise, traffic is expected to remain light through the morning, as it has all week. Full story.

Bears need all defensive hands on deck

The Bears hope to have all four of their Pro Bowl defensive players suited up for Sunday's do-or-die finale. Defensive end Julius Peppers obviously is fine based on his 3-sack game last week, and NFL interception leader Tim Jennings returned last week after missing two games with a separated shoulder. But defensive tackle Henry Melton (clavicle) and cornerback Charles Tillman (ribs/elbow) were limited at yesterday's practice. Full story.

Poll Vault: What was your favorite Christmas present?

If you got a car for Christmas like in those TV commercials, there's no need to answer. If you didn't, was it jewelry, a trip, a child's craft, or a simple gathering that pleased you the most this holiday? Leave a comment with Michelle Holdway's Poll Vault.