Dawn Patrol: Cops certain Rivera 'the right guy,' Bears Tebowed, Sears back
Detectives disputes decision that overturned Waukegan murder conviction
A detective who took Juan Rivera's second confession to the 1992 rape and murder of an 11-year-old Waukegan girl says a courts decision to clear Rivera of the crime is “outrageous.” An appellate court overturned the conviction in the 1992 crime on Friday. The ruling will bar prosecutors from trying Rivera for a fourth time. “I hope (State's Attorney) Mike Waller decides to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, because there is not a doubt in my mind that we got the right guy,” said former detective Lou Tessmann. Full story.
But Rivera's family hopes long case is finally over
It has been a long wait for Juan Rivera's family. Those years have been filled with hope that he one day would be cleared of his 1992 conviction for the rape and murder of 11-year-old Holly Staker of Waukegan. But those hopes always were shattered by disappointment, until late Friday when the Illinois Appellate Court overturned the 39-year-old Waukegan man's conviction and, for now, blocked a fourth retrial. Full story.
Another Sears showdown underway
With Sears Holdings Corp. and futures exchange CME Group threatening to decide whether to leave the Chicago area by the end of the year, Monday could mark the beginning of lawmakers' last chance to offer both a tax breaks deal that will keep them local. “At the end of the day, it's always a numbers game,” said state Rep. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat. Full story.
IDOT secretary says drivers may need to be taxed
Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider says the state needs to think hard about how to fund roads and highways. That includes examining controversial approaches, like taxing drivers by the number of miles they travel. Full story.
Thousands flock to Virgin of Guadalupe shrine
This year is the second Lorena Martinez of Hanover Park has stopped to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe at the shrine on the Maryville Academy campus in Des Plaines. She arrived Sunday night with her son and daughter with a special reason to be thankful. Martinez's mother had an operation on her spine Monday in Zacatecas, Mexico. Full story.
Woman run over own car at Arlington Heights church
A Palatine woman was hospitalized after she was run over by her own car, which had been stuck on a curb outside an Arlington Heights church Sunday morning, according to police. Full story.
Operation North Pole takes sick children on ‘Polar Express'
Children battling life-threatening illnesses were taken on a whirlwind adventure that started with a breakfast in Des Plaines yesterday and included a trip on “The Polar Express” with stops along the Union Pacific Northwest Metra line. Firefighters from each town along the way met the kids onboard, who were treated to hot chocolate for the ride. Operation North Pole ended with a bus trip behind a fire engine carrying Santa Claus. Full story.
Car smashes through Batavia home
A young woman driving a VW Beetle drove a half-mile through a bean field in Batavia yesterday afternoon before crashing through the back of a home. The woman smashed through the brick exterior of the home and ended up halfway through the tri-level home, according to fire department officials. The driver was injured in the crash but is expected to survive. Officials said the home was uninhabitable due to the damage. Full story.
Weather
Not a bad day weather-wise considering it's the middle of December. It'll be about 32 degrees when you walk out this morning, and temperatures will climb to about 40 this afternoon. No rain on tap until Wednesday, so no worries in that regard. Full weather.
Traffic
Couple accidents are slowing things down early this morning. Irving Park Road is blocked between Springinsguth Road and the Elgin O'Hare Expressway in Schaumburg due to a crash, as is the intersection of State Park Road and Grass Lake Road. The causes of both crashes and number of injuries are unknown at this point. People should also avoid reconstruction and widening of Walkup Road between Route 176 and Burning Bush Trail in Crystal Lake. That construction should last until November of 2012. Full traffic.
Tebow leads late drives to beat the Bears
A third straight loss has the Bears playoff hopes slowly fading away. The Jay Cutler-led team looked like a near lock for an NFC wild-card spot during the team's midseason winning streak, but Sunday's 13-10 loss to Denver in overtime was a near-backbreaker. “All losses hurt,” Smith said after the Bears fell to 7-6, “but this one definitely feels like it hurt a little bit more.” Denver scored 10 points in the final 2:15 of regulation to take the game to OT, where they won the game after a fumble. Full story.
Sharp caps off 4 unforgettable days with game-winner
Patrick Sharp's goal versus the San Jose Sharks for a 3-2 win last night capped of a remarkable four-day stretch for the winger. Sharp scored a game-winner in overtime on Long Island Thursday, hopped off the plane while his wife was in labor, welcomed his first daughter into the world Friday night and completed the weekend with a second overtime game-winner. “I was spacey all day and in the game,” Sharp said. “I was a space cadet for the whole game, then was able to bounce one in at the end there.” The Hawks scored with 1:06 in the 3rd, to send the game into overtime. Full story.