Dawn Patrol: Sledgehammer trial continues; Police hunt murderer
Breaking news:
Media reports claim former New York City Mayor Ed Koch has died. He was 88.
Testimony continues in sledgehammer attempted murder trial
Rick Rogers, the victim of a brutal sledgehammer attack in May 2003, took the stand yesterday during the trial of his ex-wife Sandra Rogers, who is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and home invasion. His daughter, Robin, will continue testifying today. Defense attorneys contend Robin Rogers assisted in the attack of her father. Full story.
Police on the hunt for mistakenly released murderer
Police are still searching for convicted murderer Steven L. Robbins, 44, who was mistakenly released from custody in Chicago, where he was sent to face another charge while serving a 60-year prison sentence in Indiana. The charge was dropped, “but for reasons yet unknown, the offender was released by Illinois authorities without being held for return,” the Indiana Department of Corrections said in a news release. Full story.
Autopsy today for Aurora woman found dead in truck
A 35-year-old Aurora woman who had been reported missing was found dead inside her boyfriend's pickup truck Wednesday afternoon, authorities said yesterday. Officers discovered the body of Abigail Sanchez — who had known medical problems police could not specify — while checking out a suspicious vehicle parked and running for several hours on the 600 block of Front Street. Full story.
Guilty verdict in 1998 double slaying in Aurora alley
The cold case of two men found in March 1998 in an Aurora alley, shot to death and burned, has come to a close. After a four-day trial, a Kane County jury last night convicted Jaime M. Diaz, 35, of Aurora, of two counts of first-degree murder. Diaz faces mandatory life in prison. Full story.
District 220, teachers submit final offers
Barrington Unit District 220 and its teachers union sent their “last and final” offers to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board yesterday afternoon, having failed to reach a contract agreement Wednesday night. Full story.
Schaumburg District 54 sues over pension penalties
in an attempt to get back about $97,000 in penalties, Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 has sued the state's retirement fund for teachers. The district had to pay the penalties after giving three consecutive 22 percent raises to an administrator. Full story.
Mundelein police chief retires after 20 years
Raymond Rose, 65, stepped down Thursday after more than 20 years leading Mundelein's police force. He came to the department in 1992 from Elk Grove Village, where he'd worked since 1968 after a brief stint in Franklin Park. He will be replaced by Eric Guenther, most recently the department's deputy chief. Full story. And see some of his farewell speech in this video.
Local cheer squads set to compete at state today
Cheer squads from nearly three dozen suburban high schools are headed to the IHSA state cheerleading competition at the U.S. Coliseum in Bloomington. The best 100 teams in Illinois will compete in the preliminaries of the state series today. Only the top 10 in each of the three divisions will return Saturday to compete for the state titles. Full story.
Weather
Brutally cold temperatures today. While temperatures are expected to reach a high of 11 degrees, wind chills will make it feel like its 2 degrees below zero. It's currently 3 degrees, with wind chills making it feel like its negative 23 degrees. Bundle up and stay warm. Full story.
Traffic
Cold temperatures are making for a slick commute, so people should use caution. However, motorists traveling into Chicago should avoid using the southbound Lake Shore Drive ramp to the Stevenson Expressway. The ramp has been shut down and police are conducting a death investigation. More from ABC traffic.
Naperville native signs on with Fire
After seven years away pursuing a soccer career, Naperville native Brendan King is coming home. The Chicago Fire announced yesterday it signed the 22-year-old midfielder, ending his stay in Europe that included stops in Ireland and Norway. Full story.
Poll Vault: Share your commute grievances
With snow in the forecast next week, you might be tempted to take mass transit to work instead of your car. Then again, with the cost of a 10-ride Metra pass going up today, you might be tempted to trade the train for the tollway. How do you get to work, and how long does it take you? Do you have to leave when it's still dark to make it to work on time? Leave your comment with Michelle Holdway's Poll Vault.