Dawn Patrol: Now what with Bears? New Year's babies
?Breaking newss: Elburn fire, assault suspect sought
One person was injured in a fire in Elburn Sunday afternoon. The fire started at about 2:30 p.m. in a home in the 1200 block of Wise Street. One resident was injured in the blaze, but the extent of the injuries are unknown early this morning. Cause and damage estimates are still under investigation.
Chicago Police are still looking for the persons responsible for a sexual assault of an 18-year-old Highland Park girl on New Years Eve in Chicago. The young woman was beaten and sexually assaulted after she tried to attend a concert at the Congress Theater Saturday night. Three juvenile males were questioned but released from police custody Sunday. The unidentified victim remains in critical condition at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
Bears' win may be too little, too late for Martz
Sunday's victory over the Vikings snapped the Bears' five-game losing streak, but head coach Lovie Smith has decisions to make this off-season, probably none more important than who will be his offensive coordinator next season. Full story.
McCown will be back with Bears if it's meant to be
Quarterback Josh McCown played well enough in his two starts to be factored into discussions on who will be the backup to Jay Cutler next season. Full story.
New babies ring in new year at suburban hospitals
While many people were shouting Happy New Year and celebrating in the first moments of 2012, Nicole Klemundt was busy with something else. “I was pushing,” said the Mount Prospect woman, who gave birth to Haylee Bree Dufkis at 12:19 a.m. Sunday at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, helping to ring in the new year at suburban hospitals. Thousands more are expected during 2012 at the hospital, which in 2011, saw the delivery of 3,520 babies. Full story.
Two charged with firing 80 rounds in Elgin to celebrate New Year's Eve
A New Year's celebration in Elgin ended with two accused of shooting more than 80 rounds of ammunition from several weapons just after midnight Sunday on the 600 block of Grace Street. Marcus M. James, 30, 1000 block of Chovan Drive in Joliet, and Charles Steward, 38, 7000 block of Churchill Drive in Hanover Park, were each later charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice, after police said they found the men shooting handguns and a shotgun into the air while in the backyard of a friend's home, police reports said. Full story.
Tollway director answers questions on giant toll hikes
Many drivers will experience some financial pain with rates nearly doubling for both I-PASS and cash-paying customers as of yesterday. A toll that was previously 40 cents is now 75 cents for an I-PASS user, for instance. A former 50-cent toll is now 95 cents for an I-PASS user. The Daily Herald spoke with Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Executive Director Kristi Lafleur about the rate increase and related issues. Full story.
Hawks' McDonough wants back in Winter Classic
If the Detroit Red Wings have the best chance of hosting the next Winter Classic, as is being widely reported, Blackhawks president and CEO John McDonough would love for his club to be the opponent in what could be a rematch of the memorable 2009 game at Wrigley Field, he said yesterday. McDonough told the Daily Herald he has let NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman know the Hawks want to be involved in another Winter Classic either as a host or opponent. “We would love to have it again, and Gary knows that,” McDonough said. “We've had a lot of conversations about it. But I mentioned that to Gary as well, that we'd love to be an opponent.” Full story.
Bulls so good in home opener even coach is happy
The Bulls turned in a historic performance in their home opener, which turned out to be a test for the bench in more ways than one. First of all, by pounding the Memphis Grizzlies 104-64 on Sunday night at the United Center, the Bulls set a franchise record for margin of victory in a home opener. After this victory, coach Tom Thibodeau practically overwhelmed his team with praise. “I thought we were good on defense and good on offense,” Thibodeau said. “So it was a step in the right direction.” Full story.
Weather
And you were wondering when winter was going to arrive. Cold and windy this morning with some snow flurries will make your morning commute miserable. The early temperatures are only about 23 degrees, but the heavy winds are making it feel like 1 degree below zero. It'll only get worse later as temps are expected to plummet into the low teens, while the wind chill will make it feel like 10 below zero. But, good news is a warm up of nearly 50 degrees will come by the end of the week. Full weather.
Traffic
Slick and icy conditions are being reported everywhere, so people are urged to slow down and use extra caution when traveling. Accidents or spin outs have been reported on the Dan Ryan, the Eisenhower and the Tri-State, among many arterial roads. Full traffic.