Dawn Patrol: COD meeting; girl meets hockey heroes
3 COD trustees who boycotted last week now want special meeting
The three College of DuPage trustees who boycotted a board meeting last week to protest, among other things, lack of input in creating the agenda, now have called for a special meeting on Jan. 7 with an agenda they compiled on their own. Trustees Dianne McGuire, Erin Birt and Joseph Wozniak submitted their proposed agenda to acting interim President Joseph Collins. Full story.
COD 'Clean Slate' committee fined by elections board
A political committee that supported three victorious College of DuPage board candidates earlier this year is being fined $7,750 for not reporting loans on time. Two loans totaling $30,000 former COD Board Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton made to Clean Slate in April were reported late, and the committee was fined for the delinquence. Full story.
Report: Wheaton College, suspended professor in stalemate
Talks between Wheaton College officials and a political science professor who was suspended after saying Christians and Muslims worship the same God have reached a stalemate, the Chicago Tribune reported last night. Larycia Hawkins, a Christian who has posted photos of herself on social media wearing a hijab to show solidarity with Muslim women, told the newspaper she will not accept the college's proposal to teach again next fall in exchange for revoking her tenure for at least two years. Full story.
Former Joliet Diocese bishop Joseph Imesch dies
A former bishop who led the Joliet Diocese through a period of major growth but came under fire for his handling of clergy sex abuse cases died yesterday, Diocese officials said. Bishop Joseph Imesch, 84, retired in June 2006 after serving as the diocese's third bishop for roughly 27 years. Full story.
New owner wants to bring Sam's Club back to Rolling Meadows
Sam's Club - which closed its Rolling Meadows store along Golf Road in 2010 - has a new owner who hopes to bring the wholesale retailer back to same space next year with a new focus on business customers. Investor Gus Dahleh, of Burr Ridge, purchased the 15-acre Wal-Mart and former Sam's Club properties in September for $24.3 million and has been working to bring the site back to life. Full story.
Police say Buffalo Grove man punched Metra conductor
A Buffalo Grove man is facing battery charges after police say he punched a Metra conductor in the face and tried to push him down a stairway at Union Station. George J. Kopsias, 51, is due in bond court this morning, charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery to a transit employee, according to a Metra news release. Full story.
Teens charged with vandalism at St. Charles facilities
"They just did pure vandalism," said a Campton United Soccer Club official, of the damage done by three men who broke into its administrative office, and another building, Saturday at James O. Breen Park in St. Charles. They broke computers, telephones, a lightning detector; carved up walls; sprayed a fire extinguisher; and poured liquid all over the place. St. Charles police arrested three men Monday. Full story.
Carol Stream girl with autism meets her hockey idols: the refs
Scan the rink, and Nicole Augustyniak is probably the only fan wearing stripes. "Today, I get to unveil my inner official," said the Carol Stream 11-year-old with autism before getting to meet the refs after a Chicago Wolves win. Full story.
Weather:
An unseasonably warm - some would even say downright balmy - day for this time of year with a high of 61 degrees. It's going to be a wet day - first fog with a shower, then rain and thunderstorms. Some storms could have damaging winds. Temperatures are in the 50s with foggy conditions throughout the suburbs after starting the morning in the low 40s. Full story.
Traffic:
Eastbound Army Trail Road between Swift Road and I-355 was closed due to an accident at about 8:25 a.m., ABC 7 reports. Southbound Route 25 in Elgin reopened after it was closed at about 5 a.m. from Luda Street to River Bluff Road due to a multivehicle crash. Full story.
Sharp leads Stars past Blackhawks 4-0
Patrick Sharp had a goal and an assist in his first regular-season game against his former team, leading the Dallas Stars to a 4-0 victory against the Blackhawks last night. The veteran forward came to the Stars in an offseason trade when the Blackhawks were trying save salary-cap space after Sharp won his third Stanley Cup in the past six seasons with the Hawks. Full story.
DePaul upsets No. 20 George Washington 82-61
Billy Garrett Jr. scored 20 points and Eli Cain added 16 to lead DePaul to an 82-61 upset of No. 20 George Washington last night. The Blue Demons (6-6) broke a four-game losing streak and scored their first home victory over a ranked opponent in eight seasons. Full story.