Dawn Patrol: Roskam won't seek leadership post; deliberations continue in double murder
Roskam not running for GOP leadership, encourages party unity
U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam said Wednesday he will not run for a leadership position in Congress and encouraged his party to look for a new "plan, not just a person" in the wake of Speaker John Boehner's resignation. The Wheaton Republican led a two-hour meeting Tuesday to discuss the future of the party, but in a letter to more than 200 of his colleagues Wednesday, he deflected rumors regarding his interest in an open leadership spot. Full story.
Jury to resume deliberating in double murder trial
Jurors will resume deliberations this morning in the trial of Michael Romano, a former Algonquin man accused of gunning down his estranged father and stepmother in their Cary-area home in November 2006 for a share of their $2 million estate. Prosecutors argued Romano was the only person who could have killed Nick Romano Sr., 71, and his wife, Gloria, 65, who were both found shot in the head. Full story.
Justice Department sues Des Plaines over rejection of Muslim center
The federal government filed suit Wednesday against the city of Des Plaines for refusing to approve a zoning change that would have allowed a Bosnian Islamic center to open. "The ability to establish a place for collective worship is a fundamental protection of the First Amendment and our civil rights laws," Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said in a news release. Full story.
Watchdog calls FAA ill-prepared for repeat of Aurora sabotage
If sabotage that took out a major air traffic control center in Aurora last year occurs again somewhere in the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration will still be hamstrung in responding, an audit concluded Wednesday. Full story.
Round Lake fire shuts down Rt. 120
A fire at Gerber Collision & Glass in Round Lake left Route 120 shut down during the evening rush hour on Wednesday, but no one was injured. Full story.
Weather
Partly cloudy and 53 degrees this morning. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 61 degrees this afternoon before falling to 52 degrees overnight tonight. Full story.
Traffic
Work will cause restrictions on Northwest Highway between Race and Warren avenues from Palatine to Arlington Heights until December 18th. Full traffic.
Jackson's 5 RBI spark Cubs to 10-3 win
Austin Jackson drove in a career-high five runs and Jon Lester set a Chicago season record for strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher, leading the playoff-bound Cubs to a 10-3 victory over the last-place Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, their fourth straight win. The Cubs will play the Pirates in next week's NL wild-card game, as St. Louis clinched the NL Central Wednesday. Full story.
White Sox slugger Abreu 1 RBI shy of making history
Jose Abreu is 1 RBI shy of joining some pretty exclusive company. If the Sox slugger drives in one more run, he will join Albert Pujols (2001-02) as the only players to total 30 or more home runs and 100-plus RBI in their first two seasons. Read White Sox beat writer Scot Gregor's take here.
Imrem: It's hard to feel sorry for Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose's orbital fracture was surgically repaired Wednesday, sidelining him for two weeks. But it's hard to direct sympathy toward a fragile player who sounds like money supersedes winning, Mike Imrem writes. Read his full column here.
Opportunity for some Bears to step up
According to Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Sam Acho will move into the vacant starting outside linebacker spot vacated by Jared Allen, who was traded to the Carolina Panthers on Monday. Allen's trade creates more playing time not only for the 26-year-old Acho, but also for other younger players who could be part of the Bears' future. Read Bears beat writer Bob LeGere's take here.