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Weekend in Review: Pension deal not done; NHL lockout ends

Hearing on pensions plan set for today

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz said Sunday she believes there is still time to get a pension deal done before a Wednesday deadline, and a hearing on one proposal she agreed to with House Republican Leader Tom Cross is set for today. “I certainly, to my core, hope for a resolution to this,” Nekritz said. “As much as anybody, I hope to move on to different issues than this.” Full story.

Algonquin arcade owner removing people-shooting games

An Algonquin video arcade owner has decided to pull the plug on 12 of his violent games. Spurred by the shootings of schoolchildren in Connecticut, Kevin Slota says he doesn’t want to have a part in any role the games might have in grooming mass shooters. “We don’t need these games,” he said. “I can replace them with something else.” Full story.

History offers fresh perspective on Notre Dame vs. 'Bama

When Notre Dame plays Monday night in the national championship game against Alabama, the cheering interests of suburban fans will revolve around Notre Dame and the hate and love that school inspires. Burt Constable talks to some of its fans and looks at some of the reasons to love Notre Dame. “I got all my injections of Notre Dame loyalty” attending a Catholic grade school in Chicago, said Al Larson, the mayor of Schaumburg and a lifelong Notre Dame fan. Full story.

Tollway revenue up despite boycott threat

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority nearly doubled fees for passenger vehicles on Jan. 1, 2012, to pay for a massive road building program. The toll hike caused numerous drivers to threaten to take other routes, but the percentage of decline for passenger vehicles was only 4 percent. Full story.

District 33 back to bargaining table as strike looms

West Chicago Elementary District 33 and its teachers union say they hope to reach an agreement to avoid a strike, despite two days of negotiations without progress on the issue of health care. School will resume Monday as scheduled after winter break. Representatives of the school board and the teachers union said Saturday they would like to see 16 months of bitter contract talks resolved during a bargaining session scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday. Full story.

Maine West coach appeals firing over hazing claims

A Maine West High School soccer coach fired last month following a hazing scandal at the school has appealed the school board’s decision. A lawyer for coach Michael Divincenzo said he sent a letter to the Illinois State Board of Education requesting an administrative hearing on the matter. Full story.

Suburban elections see rise in Muslim candidates

More Muslim candidates are running for elected office in the suburbs and a group called Project Mobilize is helping with training, networking, fundraising and resources to reach target demographics. “We wanted to be the vehicle to help those individuals gain leadership skills,” group co-founder Reema Ahmad said. Full story.

Lake County sees 10 homicides in 2012

For the second consecutive year, Lake County recorded 10 homicides in 2012. That number is far below the 25 murders committed in 1982 and 1994 when the county’s population was significantly lower than it is now. Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said he believes a change in staffing at the courthouse in Waukegan that allowed more deputies to be on the street was a factor. Full story.

Veteran receives long overdue medals

Forty-seven years after U.S. Army Spc. Gary Roberts’ unit was sent to the Dominican Republic during the Caribbean nation’s civil war, the Arlington Heights resident received the medals he earned during that service. The two ribbons — the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal — were presented at the U.S. Army Reserve Training Center in Arlington Heights by Brig. Gen. Gracus K. Dunn, commanding general of the 85th Support Command. Full story.

Fleeing driver convicted in 2010 death

Lisle resident Donald Mischke was convicted of crashing into a Grayslake woman with his vehicle and killing her while fleeing police in Waukegan in 2010. Mischke, 56, who opted to have a judge decide his fate instead of a jury, was found guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated driving under the influence, aggravated fleeing and eluding police officers, burglary and retail theft. His trial in Lake County circuit court started Dec. 17. Full story.

Schaumburg woman’s legislation passed

Though she faced skeptics, Erin Merryn’s efforts have paid off. The Illinois Senate this week voted in favor of Erin’s Law, which extends state-mandated sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education from secondary schools to include elementary and middle schools. “I faced a lot of skeptics who didn’t believe we could get this done, but I knew in my heart we would,” the Schaumburg woman said. Full story.

Charges reduced for 1 of 3 accused in Aurora rape

Prosecutors have downgraded charges against one of three Aurora men accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated 25-year-old Joliet woman in August 2012. Authorities had charged Shammrie Brown with felony criminal sexual assault, saying he did not have sex with the woman but failed to stop to other men involved. They are due in court on Jan. 18. Full story.

Libertyville hardware store owner says it’s time to retire

The True Value hardware store on Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville has been family owned since 1967. But the last of the clan involved in the daily business, Ed LeJeune, wants to call it a career. The business is for sale on eBay and Craigslist. “I hate to liquidate it, it’s been here so long and people like it. It would be a sad thing to do. We’ll see how it plays out,” LeJeune said. Full story.

World & Nation

Obama’s plan for gun control taking shape. Full story.

Should lottery winners’ names be kept secret? Full story.

No sign of plane Missoni said to be on. Full story.

Lawmakers dig in heels on debt crisis. Full story.

Source: Hagel to get nomination for Pentagon chief. Full story.

Would women want to serve in infantry if they could? Full story.

McChrystal takes blame for Rolling Stone article. Full story.

‘Cougar Town’ ready for TBS debut. Full story.

Michael J. Fox returns to TV with sitcom. Full story.

Sports

Hawks’ Toews excited about end to NHL lockout. Full story.

10 question on the Blackhawks’ new season. Full story.

NHL fans deserve end to Bettman era now. Full story.

Bulls sign free agent guard Daequan Cook. Full story.

Bulls’ Boozer off to fast start on resolution. Full story.

Glenbard W. standout ready for Notre Dame’s big moment. Full story.

Bears expanding coaching search list. Full story.

Chicago Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews, right, seen here in 2010 says he’s ready to get back on the ice on the heels of a tentative deal between players and owners. “As players we need to keep showing out fans we care. We might have a long road ahead of us there, but for now it’s great to know we’ll be back on the ice very soon,” Toews said via text on Sunday. Associated Press
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