Dawn patrol: Cop shot; man charged after boy brings gun to school
Arlington Heights cop shot in neck
An Arlington Heights police officer was expected to be undergoing his second surgery overnight after being shot in the neck Thursday night as a dramatic hostage situation unfolded on the village's north side — which ended when the shooter was hit by gunfire and the hostage escaped unharmed. The cop, one of several officers responding to a domestic situation, was shot by a 41-year-old man. That man who was later shot by a SWAT team and taken to a hospital, ending a three-and-a-half-hour hostage situation. Full story.
Romeoville man charged after boy brings gun to Elgin school
The Kane County State Attorney's Office has charged a Romeoville man following an investigation into how a 7-year-old boy got his hands on a loaded gun, which he brought to Gifford Elementary School in Elgin Thursday morning. Elgin police said the gun had been in the possession of 27-year-old Rashaad Byrd, who was staying in an Elgin apartment with the boy and his family. Full story.
2-year-old girl reunited with Aurora cop who saved her life
A 2-year-old girl and her family have been reunited with the off-duty Aurora cop who saved Abby Schmidt's life after she was involved in a horrendous traffic accident. Sgt. Bill Rowley kept little Abby alive until paramedics arrived. “Not more than a few hours go by in a day where I don't think about how grateful I am,” Abby's dad said. Full story.
Palatine woman and Chicago co-worker face federal fraud charges
A Palatine woman is one of two executives with a Chicago real estate development company indicted Thursday on fraud charges, federal prosecutors announced. Caroline Walters, 53, of Palatine, and Laurance H. Freed, 51, of Chicago, each are charged with seven counts of bank fraud, one count of mail fraud, and five counts of making false statements to banks. Full story.
Former Fox Lake employees sue village
Two former Fox Lake employees are suing the village and Mayor Donny Schmit, alleging they were fired from their jobs in retaliation for their political support of Schmit's opponent in the 2013 spring election, according to a federal lawsuit. Former building commissioner Frank Urbina and his administrative assistant, Tina Williams, are seeking compensatory pay and punitive damages in the wrongful termination lawsuit, claiming they were fired for supporting the re-election bid of former Mayor Ed Bender. Full story.
FBI seeks “Hooded Bandit”
The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the identification and arrest of a bank robber they've dubbed the “Hooded Bandit.” Authorities said the suspect, who is pictured in bank surveillance images with a hood covering his head, is believed to have committed at least five bank robberies in the suburbs — including Rolling Meadows, Bensenville and Wood Dale — since February. Full story.
Weather
Partly cloudy and 18 degrees when you head out this morning. Temperatures will climb to 29 degrees this afternoon, before dropping back to 24 degrees tonight. A little snow is expected tonight as well. Full traffic.
Traffic
Construction continues on Rollins Road and Route 83 in Round Lake Beach. People should expect delays throughout the two year project. Additional traffic from ABC 7 Chicago.
Cutler preps for Sunday return
Jay Cutler is getting ready for his return as quarterback on Sunday when the Bears face the Cleveland Browns. Cutler was named starter despite backup Josh McCown's 109.8 passer rating, which is third best in the NFL. That's why Cutler knows he has to bring his A game, or the Bears' simmering quarterback controversy will begin to boil. “I don't think we really have a lot of room for me to be rusty out there. So we've got to hit it running. We've got to play well. Cleveland's a really good defense. It's going to be a challenge,” he said. Full story.