Dawn Patrol: Police handling crash at busy Lakemoor intersection

State Senate starts moving on gun control plans

The Illinois Senate on Wednesday began moving a gun control plan that would ban a wide scope of firearms including “military-style” semiautomatic rifles and handguns. There was also a proposal from state Sen. Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge that would bar sales of ammunition clips that can carry more than 10 bullets. Full story.

Retired faculty balk at pension reform idea

Retired teachers revived their detention slips for two suburban lawmakers Wednesday night in Aurora as the former instructors rebuffed a plan to shift the cost of Illinois’ underfunded teacher pensions to local school districts. State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat, joined state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, an Aurora Democrat, at East Aurora High School to brainstorm solutions to the state’s underfunded teacher pensions conundrum. Full story.

How suburban lawmakers split on fiscal cliff vote

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam said insufficient federal spending cuts led him to split with Speaker John Boehner and vote against the fiscal cliff deal. Roskam, along with suburban Republicans Randy Hultgren of Winfield and Joe Walsh of McHenry, voted against the measure, while other suburban Republican members of Congress, including Bob Dold of Kenilworth and Judy Biggert of Hinsdale, voted in favor. Full story.

Lt. Gov. Simon, ‘Modern Family’ star show support for gay marriage

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, a star of ABC’s comedy “Modern Family,” traveled to Naperville and Chicago Wednesday to launch a marriage equality lobbying effort. They encouraged supporters to contact their state legislators and then don bow ties on Thursday for a Bow Tie Lobby Day in Springfield. Full story.

‘Plus 50’ program coming to Elgin Community College

Elgin Community College is one of only 17 community colleges in the nation selected to join the Plus 50 Encore Completion Program. It is a national effort to train 10,000 baby boomers for new jobs in health care, education and social services. Full story.

Des Plaines swears in new firefighters, police officers

Six police officers and three new firefighter recruits were sworn in Wednesday in Des Plaines. The new employees, who start their academy training this month, represent the largest group of new hires in the city since budget cuts began and staffing reductions were implemented a few years ago. Full story.

South Elgin man faces fifth DUI charge

After crashing his SUV in a ditch while trying to escape Hampshire police, Gregory D. Rich, 55, of South Elgin, was arrested last week and charged with his fifth DUI, police said. Officers said they found an open bottle of brandy in Rich’s SUV after the arrest at 10:30 a.m. Friday. He faces four to 15 years if convicted. Full story.

Nice day for January

It’s cloudy, but shouldn’t be too bracing when you step outside today. AccuWeather is calling for clouds to give way to some sun and a revised high of 30 degrees. Winds this morning have been at about 9 miles per hour. It’s expected to be breezy and colder with patchy clouds tonight and a low of 15 degrees. Full story.

Police handling crash at busy Lakemoor intersection

Lakemoor police are reported handling crash on northbound Route 12 at Route 120. Red-light cameras were installed at the busy intersection last year. Elsewhere, commuters should find the going OK on inbound I-290 just past Route 83, where a crash from earlier in the day has been cleared, according to Illinois transportation officials. West suburban drivers also should remember that road work continues on Joliet Street over Kress Creek near Route 38 in the Wheaton area. That project is expected to last until spring. Full story.

Boozer leads Bulls over Magic

Carlos Boozer had a season-high 31 points and 11 rebounds, Taj Gibson added 21 points and 10 rebounds and the Bulls hung on for a 96-94 win against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. Full story.

Edwin Jackson signs with Cubs

The Cubs have agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract with Edwin Jackson, a 29-year-old, right-handed pitcher who went 10-11 last year with the Washington Nationals. This is his first long-term baseball commitment, as he has been with seven other major-league teams since 2003. Jackson previously pitched for the White Sox and the World Series-champion St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. Full story.