Dawn Patrol: Blago to speak, interim Bartlett mayor named
Blagojevich expected to address court, then hear sentence
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich will learn today how many years he will spend behind bars on corruption charges that include attempting to sell the vacated seat of then-Sen. Barack Obama. During the first day of his sentencing, Judge James Zagel said Blagojevich was clearly the ringleader of the schemes he was convicted on and that there was plenty of evidence Blagojevich wanted $1.5 million in campaign cash for the seat. Before Zagel's sentencing decision today, Blagojevich is expected to address the court. Full story.
Trustee Michael Airdo named interim Bartlett president
The Bartlett village board, after hearing statements last night from a handful of upset residents, appointed Trustee Michael Airdo as acting village president. Airdo is filling the vacant office left behind by Michael Kelly, the well-liked former village president who resigned abruptly after a heated board meeting about his late property tax payments. Airdo will be in the position until May 7, 2013 — the date Kelly's term would have expired. Trustee T.L. Arends was the only person to vote against Airdo's appointment. “Mike Kelly was the kind of president that we all wanted,” she said. “He was a friend to all and never in my knowledge did he refuse to listen to a resident.” Full story.
Walsh to announce decision on possible district switch Thursday
Congressman Joe Walsh will now announce at a Chicago Tea Party meeting Thursday whether he will run in the 14th District, where he has been campaigning, or switch to the newly drawn 8th District. The current 8th District congressman was expected to announce his intentions on Monday, but Thursday's decision at the Cubby Bear in Chicago will determine whether or not he will run against current 14th District Rep. Randy Hultgren, who is also running for re-election. Full story.
WWII veterans mark 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack
Today marks the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the United States into World War II. Veterans from the war, who are now in the late 80s or 90s, gathered at East Aurora High School yesterday for a Day of Honor, which was kicked off by a flyover by World War II-era planes. “It's just so nice,” said Paul Linden of Aurora, an 88-year-old World War II veteran. “I flew a B-29 Superfortress based out of Saipan in the Mariana Islands to Japan and back. We were told we'd be flying 25 missions. I flew 39 missions and on the last one, I got into trouble and made an emergency landing.” Full story.
Lawmakers to return to Springfield Monday for tax-breaks legislation
A week has passed since Springfield lawmakers left town without passing a tax-break plan for Sears Holdings Corp., but lawmakers have been called back to the Capitol Monday in hopes of approving a deal for Hoffman Estates-based Sears, CME Group and others. Details of the deal have not been finalized, but lawmakers hope to punch out a deal quickly as both Sears and the CME Group are threatening to move out of state. Full story.
Firefighter witness: Abandoned baby's temperature wouldn't register
A firefighter who found 27-year-old Nunu Sung's abandoned baby under a bush in a Wheaton yard testified in her trial yesterday that the baby boy's temperature was so low it wouldn't immediately register. Sung is fighting to gain custody of the boy, who she left in a neighbor's yard shortly after giving birth in 2009. A neighbor found the boy about 90 minutes after the birth. “He wasn't moving. He wasn't crying. He looked to be almost dead,” a hospital nurse testified. Full story.
Robbery locks down Streamwood H.S. during basketball game
Streamwood High School was placed on lockdown during the boys basketball game last night after an armed robbery near the school, according to coaches. The robber ran through the school's parking lot, forcing the lockdown with about 3:44 left in the team's game vs. Hoffman Estates. The school remained locked down for about 20 minutes — by which time the game was over. Full story.
Bulls schedule released: 4 vs. Heat, first home game Jan. 1
The Bulls schedule was released yesterday, and although the team will kick off the season on Christmas Day in Los Angeles vs. the Lakers, they won't head home until Game No. 5 on Jan. 1 to face the Memphis Grizzlies. The shortened 66-game schedule includes two preseason games for each team, four games between the Bulls and Miami Heat, and the privilege of three games in three nights in early January due to the congested schedule. Full story.
Just days left to enter our Holiday Lights Contest
You can win an $800 snowblower if you've got the best holiday lights decorations in the suburbs. It's part of our Holiday Lights contest, the deadline for which is Sunday. See how to enter, and a video tutorial on photographing your holiday lights, here.
Weather
It'll be sunny but cool today with highs of only about 30 degrees when you leave for work. The temps won't rise past 34 degrees this afternoon before dropping to about 23 degrees overnight. Full weather.
Traffic
Traffic is flowing freely throughout the system this morning, with only a couple of areas south of the city that is slowing down because of small accidents. People are asked to avoid construction at the corner of Glenview and Greenwood avenues in Glenview. Full traffic.