Dawn Patrol: Gov. Ryan free Jan. 30; contract deal in Grayslake
Breaking News: A teachers strike in north suburban Grayslake is over. According to Grayslake School District 46 school board and union officials, a tentative agreement between the two sides were reached at about 1 a.m. Monday morning. School will resume Tuesday.
George Ryan to leave federal prison Jan. 30
After spending five years in prison on corruption charges, former Gov. George Ryan is scheduled to be released to a Chicago halfway house on Jan. 30. A longtime former aide for the Kankakee Republican tells the Daily Herald that the halfway house is in Chicago's Greektown neighborhood, and is the same Salvation Army Freedom Center that housed former Chicago Alderman Edward Vrdolyak in 2011, and former Ryan Chief of Staff Scott Fawell in 2008. Ryan's formal release date is July 4. Full story.
Swearing age-old oath, Obama begins new term
President Barack Obama was sworn in for four more years yesterday in a simple ceremony at the White House, embarking on a second-term quest to restore a still-shaky economy and combat terrorists overseas while swearing an age-old oath to “preserve, protect and defend” the Constitution. “I did it,” a smiling president said to his daughter Sasha seconds after following Chief Justice John Roberts in reciting the oath of office. The quiet moments were prelude to today's public inaugural events when Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will be sworn in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Full story.
Glendale Heights VFW can fly flag, property owner says
The owner of the shopping center that's home to Glendale Heights VFW Post 2377 will not order the post to take down its American flag, said a company official who labeled the controversy that erupted over the flag last week a misunderstanding. Members of Post 2377 grew upset last week when they received a letter from Midland Realty of Oakbrook Terrace about various property maintenance issues. One of the statements in the letter seemed to say that flags, including the American flag that flies on a pole in front of the post, were prohibited on the property, members said. Full story.
Furnace causes apartment fire in Des Plaines
Fire officials are warning not to lean anything up against furnaces or heaters after a Des Plaines apartment fire sent three people to the hospital over the weekend. “We are glad that the family involved in this incident will be OK,” said Des Plaines Fire Chief Alan Wax. “We wish to take advantage of the opportunity to provide some safety lessons to the public: specifically, keep a space of at least three feet around furnaces, water heaters, portable heaters, and other sources of heat.” Full story.
Ricketts' Wrigley makeover sorely needed
Let's set the money aside for one moment, difficult as that is to do. If the Cubs and the city of Chicago can come to an agreement on allowing the Ricketts family to spend $300 million to renovate Wrigley Field, there's only one thing to say: full speed ahead. Look, everybody loves Wrigley Field, but the place is in embarrassingly bad shape. Full story.
Weather
Bitterly cold day today with a high of only 13 degrees. Temperatures will plummet even further today when winds roll in and temperatures drop to 10 degrees this afternoon. Temperatures will drop to below zero overnight tonight, with wind chills making it feel -20. Full story.
Traffic
ABC Chicago is reporting an accident on the Tri-State Tollway is slowing things down in the northbound lanes this morning. The accident is blocking the two right lanes at Willow Road. Please use caution. More traffic from ABC Chicago.
Ravens, 49ers set for Super Bowl
Joe Flacco outdueled Tom Brady, throwing three touchdown passes in the second half and leading the Baltimore Ravens to their first Super Bowl in 12 years with a 28-13 victory over the New England Patriots on for the AFC championship. The win sets up the first Super Bowl coached by brothers, Baltimore's John Harbaugh and San Francisco's Jim, who's a former Bear. The 49ers won the NFC title earlier Sunday 28-24 at Atlanta. Full story.