Dawn patrol: Driver hits cop car, fire in Naperville
Driver hits vehicle then Arlington Heights squad car
The driver of vehicle involved in a hit-and-run Sunday in Arlington Heights returned to the scene and struck an police squad car that had responded to the call. As police investigated a hit-and-run reported outside Mitsuwa Marketplace, the offending vehicle returned. The officer was not in the vehicle when it was hit, and police do not believe it was intentional. Full story.
Fire displaces Naperville family
A fire Sunday afternoon did $275,000 worth of damage to a Naperville home and displaced its occupants. Naperville firefighters responded to the blaze at about 2:45 p.m. and kept it contained to the third floor and attic. The residents were home at the time and able to escape safely. Full story.
Group homes and police calls
While most group homes operate quietly, others create a surprisingly high volume of calls to emergency services. A single 13-year-old client at an Elgin group home who was a chronic runaway generated 130 police contacts in 2010 and 2011. And a Naperville group home for troubled teen girls operated by ChildServ generated 723 calls to emergency services between January 2010 and May 2012. Full story.
Hillary Clinton in hospital with blood clot
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is under observation at a New York hospital after being treated for a blood clot stemming from the concussion she sustained earlier this month. Full story.
Transportation outlook for 2013
Today we will journey — to the future! Sort of. Four experts have lent their visionary powers to forecast the major transportation stories of 2013, including the deadline for Chicago to resolve a dispute over expansion at O’Hare, better baggage platforms that would make things easier for Metra riders and the Illinois tollway will spend about $412 million for widening the eastbound Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) in 2013. Full story.
Lake Zurich approves noise wall
Trustees recently approved more than $500,000 for a noise wall in Lake Zurich to help offset the sound of increased travel by Canadian National Railway trains after the company’s purchase of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway. The village received $2 million for such necessary measures. Residents on Carolyn Court requested a noise wall, but some trustees questioned spending so much of the fund on one project. Full story.
Hoffman Estates crash injures one
A crash yesterday in Hoffman Estates closed the southbound lanes of Roselle Road near Illinois Boulevard after two vehicles collided at about 10:45 a.m. One person was injured and transported to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. Full story.
Elgin police officer sues for discrimination
Phillipp Brown, an Elgin police officer since 1996, has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the department in U.S. District Court. The lawsuit says the city failed to stop racial discrimination in the police department or remedy a racially hostile work environment. Monetary damages are identified to cover lost sick days and overtime as well as compensatory damages for “emotional harm and suffering.” Full story.
Kids ring in new year early in Mt. Prospect
Families joined together to celebrate the new year one day early at a party thrown by the Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association. The New Year’s Eve-Eve party was held at Bristol Court Banquets yesterday and included a comedy and magic show, food, take-home goodies, as well as hot chocolate and adult beverages. Full story.
Weather
Bundle up if you’re heading out tonight for New Year’s Eve. Temperatures today will hover in the 30s, but tonight the low will drop down to 13 degrees. Tomorrow, it’ll be a chilly taking down your holiday decorations with a high of 20. Full forecast.
Traffic
Expect delays near the intersection of Butterfield and Meyers roads in Oak Brook this morning, where crews are cleaning up a crash between a car and a dump truck. Otherwise, the roads are looking clear with many people still off for the holidays. Full traffic.
Season over for Bears despite win
A win for the Bears yesterday wasn’t enough to salvage the season as the Green Bay Packers went on to lose — knocking the Bears out of playoff contention. The Bears finished the season 10-6, after a 7-1 start to the year. Coach Lovie Smith’s future with the team remains questionable. Full story. See the photo gallery of the game.