Dawn Patrol: Cook courts closing on weekends, Quenneville rips refs
<h3 class="briefHead">Breaking News</h3> Freezing rain is snarling the morning commute for some drivers and causing accidents throughout the region.
<h3 class="briefHead">DuPage mosque project wants to add dome</h3>
A planned mosque near Willowbrook may now be able to have a dome and minaret thanks to recent changes to DuPage County zoning laws. The Muslim Educational and Cultural Center of America has approval to construct a roughly 47,000-square-foot mosque on almost 5 acres along 91st Street near Route 83; now it plans to go back and request permission to add a dome and minaret that were rejected before. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Cook County closing suburban courthouses on weekends</h3>
In an effort to save money and consolidate weekend bond court, Cook County will be closing the doors on its five suburban courthouses on Saturdays and Sundays starting Jan. 7, including the one in Rolling Meadows. County officials estimate they will save $1.9 million in 2012. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">More details emerge in death of Rolling Meadows teen</h3>
Prosecutors are considering robbery as a possible motive for the slaying of 18-year-old Alexis Marron and two of his friends in the Mexican state of Michoacan this past weekend. None of the three men's possessions were found in the burned-out car where they were found dead on Christmas Eve. Documents also show Marron didn't tell the family members he was visiting that he was taking a trip to see his girlfriend. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Methane found close to Batavia homes</h3>
The methane gas believed to be seeping off the Midway landfill popped up in a new location closer to residential homes late yesterday. As a result, Waste Management and Batavia officials are encouraging residents who live near the Batavia Rehabilitation facility to have their homes tested for the gas. So far, officials maintain there is no cause for alarm. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">GOP candidate for 33rd District withdraws</h3>
Republican candidate Craig Powers has withdrawn from the primary race for Illinois State Senate after his petitions were challenged by a Republican from Gilberts. Powers decided against defending the signatures before the Illinois State Board of Elections. He now plans to run as an Independent in the 33rd Senate District. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Cook County looking into waste found near Palatine</h3>
A Dec. 20 report by the Cook County Inspector General shows that highway department workers have been using facilities near Palatine and Riverdale as dumping sites for potentially toxic waste and debris for several years. Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle said yesterday the matter is being investigated and the highway department being reformed. No testing has been done that could conclude there's a risk to public safety. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Hawks' Quenneville rips into refs</h3>
After a 2-0 loss by the Blackhawks to the Los Angeles Kings, nobody was ticked off more than coach Joel Quenneville by what happened at the United Center. Quenneville ripped into referees Ghislain Hebert and Tom Kowal after the game, claiming both goals against the Hawks should have been wiped out. Full story.
<h3 class="briefHead">Weather</h3>
Showers and moderate cold this morning will give way to a cloudy day with a high of 44 degrees. Scattered showers and a temperature right around freezing early this morning will mean some icy patches on the roadways. Drivers are advised to use extra caution getting around until mid-morning, when higher temperatures should melt any ice. Tonight will also be cloudy with a bit of rain and a low of 35 degrees. Full weather.
<h3 class="briefHead">Traffic</h3>
A car fire in the left lane of I-90 at Barrington Road is blocking inbound traffic and causing delays. Kirk Road is still blocked between Fabyan Parkway and Roosevelt Road because of an earlier accident involving two cars and a Metra train. Route 137 over Route 45 is closed because of a crash in Grayslake. Another accident in Grayslake, this one with injuries reported, is slowing traffic on South Atkinson Road at East Belvidere Road. Route 21 is closed in Gurnee at Route 120 because of an accident. And in Palatine just one eastbound lane is open on Dundee Road above Route 53. Route 59 is blocked between Miller Road and Route 22 because of an accident involving one car that crashed into a tree. Full traffic.