Dawn Patrol: School closings in deep freeze; boy rescued from ice
Suburban schools closed today
Schools across the suburbs are closed today because of the wind chills expected to be as low as minus 35 this morning. School districts such as Elgin Area Unit District 46, Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200, Naperville Unit District 203, Indian Prairie Unit District 204, Palatine Township Elementary District 15 and many more announced closings yesterday. Full story.
Firefighters rescue boy who had fallen through ice in Downers Grove
A boy was rescued yesterday after he fell through ice on a neighborhood pond in Downers Grove, fire officials said. Firefighters responded to a 911 call around 3:35 p.m., and when they arrived at the pond in a neighborhood at 7100 Dexter Road, they found the boy, who had fallen through the ice, trying "to stay afloat by staying on his back," according to a news release. Full story.
No injuries in Schaumburg car fire
No one was injured after a car went up in flames last night on West Frontage Road south of Golf Road, according to the Schaumburg Fire Department. The driver of the car told police she had smelled something burning and pulled the car over, Schaumburg Fire Department Capt. Dan Johnson said. Full story.
Man shot in Aurora
A 19-year-old man was shot in the buttocks yesterday in Aurora, officials said. Full story.
Lawmakers ready for second round on school finances debate
A plan that attempted to change the way Illinois distributes education money will appear again, with some changes, in the new General Assembly convening next week. State Sen. Andy Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat, tried to change state law last year to send more money to poorer school districts, a move that would have taken money from some wealthier suburban districts. Full story.
Gilliam's love for Elgin remembered
Robert "Bob" Gilliam wasn't ever concerned with making popular choices, or ones that would garner him the most votes or campaign contributions - the only thing he cared about was acting in the best interest of the city of Elgin. Those sentiments were echoed time and again during the longtime former councilman's funeral yesterday at Second Baptist Church of Elgin. Full story.
Aurora firefighter charged with aggravated battery
An Aurora firefighter was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery after he punched a bartender, the Kane County sheriff's office said last night. Full story.
Weather
Bitterly cold with the temperature hovering around 4. Temperatures are expected to drop to -8 this evening, with wind chills making it feel like it is -33. Full weather,
Traffic
Intersection work will cause restrictions at Bode and Barrington roads in Hoffman Estates until July. People should use alternate routes. Full traffic.
Hawks can't get anything going, fall 2-0 to Avs
You could tell Joel Quenneville was a little perturbed yesterday, and a reporter's question about this being the time of year a coach worries about a lack of energy from his team seemed to hit a nerve. "You must have been watching our morning skate," Quenneville said. Full story.