Dawn Patrol: Durbin calls for air-traffic inquiry; Bears lose to Pack
Durbin calls for inquiry into fire at Aurora air-traffic center
As federal officials declared it will be at least two more weeks until the Chicago Center air-traffic facility in Aurora is back at full capacity, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said yesterday he wants the Federal Aviation Administration's inspector general to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the sabotage that grounded and delayed hundreds of flights since Friday. Authorities say a contract employee, 36-year-old Naperville resident Brian Howard, set a fire in the basement of the facility as part of a suicide attempt. "I'm asking the inspector general to take a look at this and ask the hard questions - was the vetting sufficient?" Durbin said. Full story.
Waukegan, Chicago police investigating deaths of woman, girl
A man who told Waukegan authorities that he harmed his family is in custody after Chicago police discovered the bodies of an adult woman and a girl in a home on the city's Northwest side yesterday morning, police said. According to Chicago police, the man, whose identity has not been released, was confronted by Waukegan police Sunday morning. The man, who police said was suicidal, told Waukegan police that he had harmed his family at a residence on the 3400 block of North Odell Avenue. Full story.
Elgin man killed when motorcycle strikes SUV
A 36-year-old Elgin man was killed Saturday night when his motorcycle struck an SUV from behind, throwing him from the vehicle. Police say alcohol and excessive speed were contributing factors in a crash, which occurred about 7:20 p.m. along Bowes Road near the intersection with Nolan Road. According to Elgin police, William Maglares was driving a 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle west on Bowes at a high rate of speed when it rear ended a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, which also was westbound. Full story.
Six Flags coaster marathon raises funds for Special Olympics
The 2014 Coaster Challenge at Six Flags Great America yesterday proved you don't have to be on your feet to do a marathon. But while participants may have been resting their legs during the Special Olympics Illinois fundraiser, their lungs got quite a workout from all the screaming. This was the first year for the challenge, which has participants riding the distance of a 5K, 10K or marathon (26.2 miles) on the amusement park's roller coasters, including the Raging Bull and Goliath. It's the result of a unique partnership between Special Olympics Illinois and Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. Full story.
Weather
Mostly sunny and warm with a high of 76 degrees. It will be about 59 degrees when you head out the door this morning. Lows tonight should be on the low 50s. Full story.
Traffic
Bartlett Road remains closed between Shoe Factory Road and Higgins Road near Hoffman Estates. Motorists are asked to seek an alternate route. Full story.
Rodgers, Packers air it out against Bears
With a chance to bury the Packers 2 games back in the NFC North, the Bears instead handed their most bitter rival a helping hand out of the cellar. In just the second game in NFL history without a punt, Green Bay won for the fifth straight time at Soldier Field, turning what was a competitive shootout at halftime into a 38-17 rout. Green Bay's first 6 possessions went touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, field goal, touchdown, touchdown. "Those guys came down here and beat us in our home," said Bears tight end Martellus Bennett, who caught 9 passes for 134 yards. "That's not what we want to have. That's not the type of tradition we have with this team and the guys before us." Actually, it is. In addition to the Packers' 5 straight wins at Soldier Field, they have won 11 of the last 14 meetings overall. Click here for Bob LeGere's full story, and click here for our photo gallery.
Konerko's 16-year run with Sox comes to an end
Today is the first in more than 16 years that Paul Konerko has not been a member of the Chicago White Sox, after the popular captain went hitless in his first 3 at-bats yesterday in a 6-4 loss to the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field. Konerko started the game but, per his request to manager Robin Ventura, he was lifted before the sixth inning started. After acknowledging a standing ovation as he made his way back to the dugout and bouncing out once more for a curtain call, Konerko had no second thoughts about retiring. "Today I felt very at peace with it," said Konerko, who exits the game as one of only 37 players in baseball history to record more than 400 doubles and 400 home runs. Scot Gregor's full story.
Cubs see bigger, better things for 2015
The Cubs finished the 2014 season with a record of 73-89, 7 more wins than last year and 12 more than in 2012. The Cubs finished the season by taking two of three from the Cardinals and Brewers. Cubs writer Bruce Miles writes in his Monday story that the clubhouse was buzzing with a positive vibe this weekend. "I think it's really good," said manager Rick Renteria, who completed his first season as a big-league manager. "All those guys know we want to step it up, that we need to come out, go into spring training really preparing to be a better club with the expectations of us again improving and making ourselves hopefully a topic of conversation throughout the season." Full story.