Dawn Patrol: Attorney general favors same-sex marriage statewide now
Attorney general supports immediate same-sex marriage
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says her office will side with same-sex couples who sue to get marriage licenses before June 1. A federal-court decision allowed for same-sex marriages to begin in February in Cook County, ahead of the state law set to take effect June 1. The question is what should the collar counties do? Full story.
Republican candidates for governor back death penalty
The four Republicans running for Illinois governor delved into social issues during a televised debate last night, a shift in the increasingly intense primary campaign that has focused largely on the state's financial issues. All the candidates — state Sens. Kirk Dillard and Bill Brady, businessman Bruce Rauner and state Treasurer Dan Rutherford — said they would reinstate Illinois' death penalty, which was abolished in 2011. Full story.
Northbrook rabbi who headed Lubavitch-Chabad of Illinois dies
Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz, the regional director of Lubavitch-Chabad of Illinois who helped to spur the growth of dozens of Chabad-Lubavitch centers in 21 cities across the state, died Tuesday in Chicago, failing to awake after routine surgery, religious officials said with the national headquarters of the Chabad movement said last night. Full story.
Kane County lawman cleared in shooting death
No charges will be filed against a Kane County sheriff's sergeant who shot and killed a Batavia Township man last July. Kane County Sheriff Patrick Perez confirmed yesterday afternoon that the Kane County state's attorney had decided not to press any charges, after receiving the results of an Illinois State Police investigation into the matter. Full story.
Debt payoff decision further upsets Carpentersville firefighters
A routine agenda item in which Carpentersville officials paid off a significant amount of debt Tuesday has deepened the divide between the Carpentersville Fire Department and village officials. Carpentersville officials announced their intention last week to lay off five employees, including two full-time firefighters, and to eliminate several positions as they work to close a projected $400,000 deficit in the upcoming budget. Full story.
Fire damages Hoffman Estates home
Hoffman Estates firefighters battled a house fire last night in frigid conditions that made three nearby hydrants inoperable. The home on the 1100 block of Glen Lane is uninhabitable. A firefighter sustained a minor injury. Full story.
Party chairman asks 8th Congressional candidate to withdraw
Cook County Republican Chairman Aaron Del Mar yesterday called for 8th District congressional candidate Manju Goel to withdraw from the March 18 primary contest because of a deceptive website, Facebook page and Twitter account set up by a SuperPAC to discredit opponent Larry Kaifesh. Full story.
Weather
Only 19 degrees with light snow to start the morning. Temperatures will climb to 26 degrees this afternoon before dipping back to 12 degrees overnight. Full story.
Traffic
Construction continues on Route 31 near Carpentersville between West Main Street and Huntley Road. People should expect delays in the area. Full story.
Looks like tight stretch run for Blackhawks
With a quarter of the season left, the Blackhawks, St. Louis and Colorado all are involved in the scramble for the Central Division title. The Avalanche came to the United Center yesterday only 3 points behind the Hawks for second place. They left just 1 point down after a 4-2 win. The Avs scored 3 goals in the third period, including Tyson Barrie's game-winner on a power play at 12:50. Tim Sassone reports.
Remember when Michael Jordan tried to play baseball?
Scot Gregor was a rookie as a Daily Herald beat reporter the year Michael Jordan switched to baseball. One of the best basketball players in history could not master America's pastime. Full story.