Dawn Patrol: 2 die in Aurora shootings; Arlington Hts. fire chief leaving
Two people dead after separate Aurora shootings
Two people were shot to death on Aurora’s west side last night in apparently unrelated situations, police said. A man was shot in a restaurant bathroom at about 7:30 p.m. by two men, while a woman was shot in a domestic situation at about 8:30 p.m., police said. Full story.
Arlington Heights fire chief leaving department
Arlington Heights Fire Chief Glenn Ericksen announced last night that he will be leaving the department next month to take a position with MABAS-Illinois, the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System. He’ll conclude 39 years with the department on Feb. 13. Full story.
Former Des Plaines alderman dies
John Dini, 60, a former Des Plaines alderman, has died. Widely known for his community involvement, Dini was once a Little League Baseball umpire as well as organizer in the local Republican party. He served as alderman of Des Plaines’ 6th Ward from 1981 to 1985 and also served as the city’s director of emergency management in the 1980s and early 1990s. Full story.
Prospect Hts. approves sale of piece of one-time arena land
The Prospect Heights City Council agreed last night to sell just over 2 acres and a 31,000-square-foot building it still owns from the failed arena project of the 1990s. Stery Trucking of Buffalo Grove has agreed to pay $1.5 million for the land and building at 31-33 E. Palatine Road. Full story.
St. Charles developer: Downtown needs rentals, restaurants, not retail
The future of downtown St. Charles is rental apartments and restaurants, not the mom-and-pop retail of years gone by, the developer of one of the most important redevelopment projects in the city said last night. Aldermen viewed a formal presentation of a concept for the languishing First Street project they had already greenlighted. Full story.
Des Plaines girl, 14, wins NFL’s Punt, Pass, Kick contest
Did you see her on TV Sunday night? Des Plaines teen Alisa Fallon competed at the finals of NFL’s Punt, Pass, Kick contest Saturday and won. She was honored during Sunday’s divisional playoff game between the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers. Full story.
Thrown cigarette butt leads to drug charges
A lit cigarette butt thrown out of the window by the passenger of a vehicle led to multiple drug charges. Now illegal in Illinois to litter cigarette butts, a Lake Villa police officer stopped the vehicle. The driver was charged with possession of four different drugs, as well as a weapon without a FOID card. Full story.
Weather
Clear this morning but cooler than yesterday with temperatures at 25 degrees when you head out the door. Temperatures will reach 36 degrees later, before dipping back to 15 degrees tonight. Some snow is expected. Full weather.
Traffic
Construction continues on Rollins Road between Route 83 and Route 45 in Round Lake Beach. More traffic from ABC News Chicago.
Cubs announce new mascot
The Cubs unveiled a mascot last night for the first time in franchise history. Clark the young friendly cub greeted children at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center’s Pediatric Developmental Center last night. Clark, as in Clark Street, will greet fans before and during games in the coming season. Full story.
Imrem: Bulls relationship with Thibodeau will end but shouldn’t
For better or worse — probably worse, sports writer Mike Imrem says — the relationship between Bulls management and head coach Tom Thibodeau will likely end. Tensions are mounting. Stay tuned. Full story.