Dawn Patrol: Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day begins; Dist. 121 apology
Catholics flock to Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine
As many as 120,000 pilgrims late last night began celebrating the feast day for Our Lady of Guadalupe overnight on the Maryville campus, which continued overnight with Archbishop Blase Cupich leading a Mass. The night was less solemn ritual and more festive celebration with mariachi music, colorful Christmas lights draped across trees and the smell of red roses in an outdoor grotto. The feast day lasts all day today. Full story.
Gurnee school board member apologizes
Warren Township High School District 121 board member Liz Biondi said she apologizes "to everyone I offended" by stating she doesn't want to hire someone who is gay to replace retiring Superintendent Mary Perry Bates, but added she has no immediate plans to resign. Full story.
Grant High School student accused of stabbing teen with wooden shank
A 16-year-old Grant High School student is in custody after being accused of stabbing another teen multiple times in the neck and head in the hallway of the Fox Lake high school, authorities said. Fox Lake police Lt. Mark Schindler said the unidentified student had a "difference of opinion" with the 15-year-old victim about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, pulled out a pointed, wooden "shank" and stabbed him six to eight times from behind. Full story.
Arlington Hts. man charged in wife's murder still hasn't hired lawyer
An Arlington Heights man accused of killing his estranged wife in a hatchet attack last month appeared in a Racine County, Wisconsin, courtroom Thursday, but a hearing to determine his mental competency to stand trial was postponed because he has not yet hired a lawyer. Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and 24 degrees to start the day. Temperatures are expected to climb to 36 degrees this afternoon, then dip to 31 degrees overnight. Full weather.
Traffic
Intersection work will cause restrictions at Bode and Barrington roads in Hoffman Estates until July. Full traffic.
Cutler's comments after Lions game likely irked Marshall
The Jay Cutler-Brandon Marshall tiff did not begin earlier in the week when Marshall agreed that he, too, would have buyer's remorse if he had signed Cutler to a $126.7 million contract. The war of words started after the 34-17 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Lions, when Cutler was asked about Marshall's performance. "He had a couple drops," Cutler said. Full story.
At this point, Bulls' Gasol shocking even himself
To say Pau Gasol is in elite company right now is not quite accurate. As of Thursday morning, the only player in the NBA averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds was New Orleans forward Anthony Davis. But Gasol is real close. "I didn't expect to have these kind of numbers," he said. Full story.
Hawks win eighth straight, but may lose Toews
It should have been a night of celebration for the Blackhawks after their 3-2 win over the Bruins Thursday at TD Garden. Despite the victory, a gray cloud hung over this win concerning the health of Hawks captain Jonathan Toews, who was face-planted into the boards behind Boston's net by defenseman Dennis Seidenberg midway through the second period. Full story.
Ye Olde Town Inn gone - and what other restaurants this year?
Ye Olde Town Inn in Mount Prospect, the Billy Goat Tavern in Mount Prospect - tough month for restaurant closings in Mount Prospect. But take a look at how many other suburban restaurants have closed this year. Full story.
Show us your holiday lights
You worked hard to untangle all those lights. Here's your chance to be rewarded for it. The grand prize in our 2014 holiday lights contest is a Toro model with an MSRP of $829. All you have to do is snap a photo of your well-lit home and submit it online. See how.